Scientists studied a type of helpful bacteria called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus to see if it could soak up magnesium like a sponge. Magnesium is important for your muscles, nerves, and heart. In lab tests, when researchers gave this bacteria extra magnesium, it absorbed seven times more than normal by day three. The bacteria’s appearance changed under a microscope, showing it was working hard to grab and hold onto the magnesium. While this is early-stage research done in test tubes rather than in people, it suggests these bacteria might one day help your body get more magnesium from food or supplements—though much more testing is needed first.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a specific probiotic bacteria (a type of helpful microorganism) could absorb and hold onto magnesium, and how much it could collect under different conditions.
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study using bacterial cultures, not human participants. Scientists grew the bacteria in controlled conditions with different amounts of magnesium added.
  • Key finding: When given a medium amount of magnesium (0.722 g/L), the bacteria accumulated seven times more magnesium inside their cells by day three compared to bacteria that didn’t get extra magnesium—reaching 0.7 mg/dL versus 0.1 mg/dL.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that probiotics might eventually help your body absorb magnesium better, but this is very early-stage work. Don’t change your magnesium intake based on this study alone—talk to your doctor about your magnesium needs. More research in humans is necessary before any real-world applications.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a laboratory experiment where they grew Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus bacteria in a special growth medium (a nutrient-rich broth called MRS medium) for seven days. They tested four different scenarios: no added magnesium, and three increasing amounts of magnesium sulfate (a common form of magnesium supplement). They measured how much magnesium the bacteria actually took in and stored inside their cells over the week. They also used powerful microscopes (scanning and transmission electron microscopes) to look at how the bacteria’s appearance changed when exposed to magnesium.

Understanding how probiotics interact with minerals like magnesium is important because it could lead to better ways to help people absorb nutrients. If scientists can engineer bacteria to carry magnesium, it might improve how much magnesium your body can actually use from supplements or foods. This type of foundational research is necessary before any new probiotic products can be developed.

This is laboratory research conducted in controlled conditions, which is good for understanding basic mechanisms but doesn’t tell us what happens in the human body. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal (Current Microbiology), meaning other scientists reviewed it before publication. However, the sample size and specific methodology details weren’t fully specified in the abstract. This is early-stage research, so results may not directly apply to humans yet.

What the Results Show

The bacteria showed the strongest magnesium uptake at a medium concentration of magnesium sulfate (0.722 g/L), accumulating 0.7 mg/dL of magnesium by day three—seven times higher than the control group without added magnesium. This suggests there’s an optimal amount of magnesium for the bacteria to absorb; too little and they can’t grab much, but too much might overwhelm them. The bacteria’s ability to accumulate magnesium appeared to peak around day three, then the pattern may have changed afterward. When scientists looked at the bacteria under electron microscopes, they noticed the bacterial cell surfaces became ruffled or wrinkled, and the internal structures (ribosomes, which make proteins) became more visible, suggesting the bacteria were actively working to process and store the magnesium.

The morphological changes observed under the microscope indicate that magnesium uptake isn’t passive—the bacteria are actively responding to and processing the magnesium. The fact that there’s an optimal concentration (0.722 g/L worked better than higher amounts) suggests the bacteria have limits to how much they can handle, similar to how your stomach can only digest so much food at once.

This research builds on growing evidence that probiotics can influence mineral absorption in the gut. Previous studies have shown that certain bacteria can affect how well your body absorbs minerals, but the specific mechanisms weren’t well understood. This study provides more detailed information about how one specific probiotic strain interacts with magnesium at the cellular level, filling a gap in scientific knowledge.

This study was conducted entirely in laboratory test tubes and petri dishes, not in living organisms or humans. What happens in a controlled lab environment may differ significantly from what happens in the complex environment of the human digestive system. The study didn’t test whether magnesium-loaded bacteria would actually improve magnesium absorption in people. The sample size and replication details weren’t specified. We don’t know if these results would apply to other probiotic strains or other minerals. Human studies would be needed to determine if this approach has real health benefits.

The Bottom Line

This research is too early-stage to make specific recommendations for consumers. If you’re concerned about magnesium intake, continue following standard medical advice: eat magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, leafy greens, whole grains) or take supplements as recommended by your doctor. Don’t purchase probiotic products specifically marketed for magnesium absorption based on this study, as those products haven’t been tested in humans yet. Confidence level: Low—this is foundational research, not clinical evidence.

Scientists and researchers studying probiotics and mineral absorption should pay attention to this work. People interested in nutrition science may find it interesting. People with magnesium deficiency should continue working with their healthcare provider on proven strategies. This research is NOT yet ready for people to apply to their own health decisions.

Even if this research proves promising, it typically takes 5-10+ years of additional research (laboratory studies, animal studies, and human clinical trials) before any new probiotic-based magnesium product could be available and recommended by doctors. Don’t expect changes in the near term.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily magnesium intake from food sources (nuts, seeds, leafy greens, whole grains, legumes) and any supplements, measured in milligrams. Note any symptoms of magnesium deficiency like muscle cramps or fatigue to discuss with your healthcare provider.
  • Use the app to log magnesium-rich foods you eat daily and set a goal based on your age and sex (adult women need 310-320 mg/day; adult men need 400-420 mg/day). This helps you understand your current intake before any new products become available.
  • Monitor magnesium intake weekly and correlate with energy levels, muscle function, and sleep quality. Share this data with your healthcare provider to determine if you need supplementation. Once probiotic research advances, you could track any new products separately to monitor their effects.

This research is laboratory-based and has not been tested in humans. It does not provide medical advice or recommendations for treatment. Do not change your magnesium intake or start new supplements based on this study. If you have concerns about magnesium deficiency or are considering magnesium supplementation, consult with your healthcare provider. Probiotic products marketed based on this research have not undergone clinical testing in humans and should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment. Always speak with a doctor before making changes to your diet or supplement routine, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.