When you’re living with a chronic illness like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, it’s easy to become hyper-aware of every medication, every symptom, and every nutrient—or lack thereof. One essential mineral that often flies under the radar is magnesium.
Magnesium supports nerve function, hormone balance and how we respond to stress, so when levels drop, the nervous system can become overly reactive. For those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), these symptoms can be even more noticeable because our bodies often struggles to absorb and retain magnesium properly.
According to Hollie King, Founder of Sweet Bee Organics, this humble mineral could be one of the most powerful tools in the IBD toolkit. This week on Lights, Camera, Crohn’s Hollie explains why magnesium matters so much for people in our community.
While I was working on this article, I did an Instagram poll asking the IBD community if they take a magnesium supplement. Of the 245 people who responded, 34% said “yes”, 29% said “no”, and 37% replied “should I be?”
The power of Magnesium
“Magnesium is one of those quiet powerhouses in the body,” Hollie explains. “It’s often overlooked, but absolutely essential. It plays a role in over 300 biochemical reactions, helping muscles relax, supporting proper nerve function, balancing hormones, and aiding energy production.”
When magnesium levels drop, your body knows it—but it doesn’t always scream it out loud. Instead, it whispers. Symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, muscle cramps, low energy, and even restless legs may emerge. But there are subtler signs too: eye twitching, heart palpitations, tingling sensations, and a hypersensitivity to noise or stress.
For those with IBD, particularly Crohn’s disease, magnesium deficiency can be even more pronounced. “When the gut is inflamed or damaged, it struggles to absorb nutrients properly,” Hollie shares. “And magnesium is one of the first to drop.”
The Magnesium–IBD Connection
Recent research, like the article “Magnesium—A Potential Key Player in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?” published in the Journal of Inflammation Research, highlights the strong link between magnesium deficiency and IBD. But knowing you’re deficient and being able to do something about it are two very different things, especially if your gut can’t absorb it well.
That’s where Sweet Bee Organics comes in. Rather than relying on supplements taken by mouth, Hollie and her team focus on transdermal support—a method that completely bypasses the digestive system.
“Our Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter delivers highly absorbable magnesium chloride directly through the skin,” Hollie says. “You simply massage it into your chest, feet, lower back, or even your tummy before bed. It’s not just about topping up magnesium—it’s about calming the nervous system, supporting sleep, and helping the body reset.”
The Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter isn’t just effective—it’s a best-seller across the U.S. and U.K. for a reason. “We’re obsessed with packing as much magnesium as possible into our balm,” says Hollie. “It’s not easy, but we’re committed to delivering a product that works—and works quickly.”
For people with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, the benefits of restoring magnesium levels can be profound. Balanced magnesium supports better digestion, improves sleep, reduces muscle tension, steadies mood swings, and even eases PMS symptoms. You sleep better. You feel calmer. Your energy becomes more stable, and your muscles feel less tight or twitchy.For IBD patients in particular, it can help calm inflammation and improve nutrient absorption—essential steps in managing the day-to-day symptoms of the disease.
“It’s not a magic fix, but it’s one of those foundational nutrients that helps everything else work better. The biggest thing people notice? They just feel more like themselves again,” Hollie explains.
Hollie’s Health Journey
This mission is deeply personal for Hollie, who was diagnosed with aggressive cervical cancer and had to completely reimagine how she cared for her body. “Magnesium became an important part of my healing journey. It wasn’t just about sleep or stress—it was about helping my body heal, rebuild, and feel safe again.”
Hollie happens to be my husband’s first cousin—and witnessing her health transformation and all she’s accomplished since her cancer diagnosis has been awe-inspiring. We’re not only family, but friends and I admire her and the genuine work she’s doing. We’ve wanted to collaborate for awhile and when Hollie saw the recent published medical study regarding magnesium and IBD we knew this was the perfect opportunity.
Her empathy extends to the IBD community. “For anyone living with IBD, I truly see you. I know how exhausting it can be to manage symptoms, juggle treatments, and wonder if your body is even absorbing what it needs. That’s why I created Sweet Bee. Magnesium might seem like a small thing, but sometimes the smallest shifts are the ones that change everything.”
How is Magnesium Measured—and Why the Standard Test Might Miss the Mark
Many of us assume a blood test will tell the full story, but Hollie points out that traditional serum magnesium tests only measure about 1% of the magnesium in your body.
At my clinic visit with my GI last week, my doctor included magnesium in my lab work and the results were within range, but he also told me there would be no harm in using the transdermal magnesium discussed in this article.
For people with IBD, especially those experiencing persistent symptoms, your GI may suggest testing beyond the standard serum magnesium draw or even recommend supplementation based on symptoms alone. This may be something you want to bring up during your next clinic visit or over the Patient Portal.
How to Naturally Raise Your Magnesium
While supplements are helpful, diet is still key. Magnesium-rich foods include:
- Pumpkin and chia seeds
- Almonds, cashews, and peanuts
- Beans and legumes
- Spinach, broccoli, and potatoes with skin
- Whole grains like oats and brown rice
- Avocados, bananas, raisins
- Milk, yogurt, and soy milk
- Salmon, halibut, chicken, beef
- Fortified cereals
That said, people with IBD often can’t rely solely on food due to absorption challenges. This is where topical support like Sweet Bee’s magnesium products truly shine.
Can You Take Magnesium with Crohn’s or Colitis?
Yes, but with care. Magnesium—especially in forms like citrate—can cause loose stools, which is problematic for IBD patients. That’s why topical magnesium is often a safer, more effective choice.
Always consult with your gastroenterologist before starting new supplements, especially if you’re in an active IBD flare, dealing with kidney disease or if you’re concerned about the medication(s) you are on.
Final Thoughts
In the landscape of IBD care, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But as Hollie reminds us, simple, natural tools—when thoughtfully applied—can offer real relief. Whether you’re struggling to sleep, feel calm, or just want to feel like yourself again, magnesium might be what your body’s been craving.
“You deserve to feel strong, rested, and well in your body. Replenishing magnesium levels in a gentle, non-irritating way can make a real difference in how you feel, both physically and emotionally,” Hollie says. “And we’re here to support that every step of the way.”
Learn More About Sweet Bee Organics
To explore Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter and other clean wellness products created with love and integrity, click here. Use code NATALIE15 for 15% off sitewide.
Sweet Sleep was recently spotlighted on The View Co-Host’s Favorite Things for Mother’s Day. Check out the segment here.
Additional resources:
Can You Take Magnesium With Crohn’s or Colitis? | MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam
IBD and Magnesium | InflammatoryBowelDisease.net
Magnesium for ulcerative colitis: Benefits and more
Does Magnesium Provide a Protective Effect in Crohn’s Disease Remission? A Systematic Review of the Literature
Malnutrition in Ulcerative Colitis: 6 Common Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
What can magnesium do for you and how much do you need? – Harvard Health
Disclaimer: This article was not sponsored, but the content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
