Maximize Health with Magnesium: Key Benefits & Sources

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(1) 
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Posted by Roro (Dubai, UAE) on 05/13/2009

Which kind of Magnesium to use????

Hi EC' staff, kindly I would appreciate if someone can tell me what is the difference between Magnesium chloride, magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide etc... I see many poeple talk about benefits of magnesium and once I decided to buy it I found many of it in different names!!! Please advise!

Replied by Charlotte
(Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
05/16/2009

Hi, in response to Roro's question about which magnesium to take: Out of a book written by a naturopath that I've found to be helpful, she said that there are 2 types of magnesium: magnesium orotate (Vit B13) and magnesium aspartate, and they both serve unique and complimentary functions - maybe the names you cited are derived from these two compounds or vice versa?

Apparently a combination of 150 mg of magnesium aspartate three times per day togather with magnesium orotate 200 mg three times per day would be appropriate.

Replied by Jane
(Seattle, WA)
05/16/2009
★★★★★

Response to Charlotte's post about magnesium aspartate being one of the best types of magnesium to take. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think any product with the word aspartate is an excitotoxin and should be avoided. Also to be avoided: aspartic acid, aspartame, etc.

Replied by Maleny
(Canberra, Act, Australia)
10/04/2009
★★★★★

Response on what sort of magnesium to take. Hi, I have always gone with Walter Last, the Queensland naturopath's advice and taken magnesium chloride as per his article at
http://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/magnesiumchloride.html. ( His own original website seems harder to find now on Google than it once was but if this link doesn't work just type in Walter Last and magnesium and several 3rd party sites appear citing him) He believes we need more calcium in youth and more magnesium in age.

I take it to beat off infections and find it, despite loose bowels if I take a lot, to be more effective than Vitamin C. Magnesium chloride is also used to make tofu and some tofu maker suppliers sell it fairly cheaply - called Nigari. I sometimes make up a little spray of it for the kitchen and spray a bit onto foods like tasteless tomatoes. I keep a pump bottle in the bedroom for transdermal use with some essential oils in it too and just smear some on the soles of my feet before bed, when I remember. No real health problems so can't really say what it is done but I seem calmer I think when I do it regularly.

I once read an Internet article as well of a man who swore plain Epsom salts had done wonders for his health. He just started with a tiny amount of Epsoms salts like an eigth of a teaspoon and built up the amount slowly to a much larger amount like a daily desert spoon and had no diarrhea that way.

Calcium and Magnesium balance is fairly critical so it's probably best to go cautiously before self medicating with very high oral dosages of any form of magnesium.

Replied by Marq
(Muenster, Germany)
07/26/2012
★★★★★

In responce to Maleny from Canberra, I found a link to the same article now at

http://www.health-science-spirit.com/magnesiumchloride.html


Blood Pressure

Posted by Elizabeth (Memphis, Tn Usa) on 07/17/2012

I am currently using Lisinipril for blood pressure, It seems that nightly my heart begins to race sometimes very fast. After counseling with a nutritionist, he told me that it sounds like I have a defenciency in magnesium. I also have the symtoms like insomnia, muscle weakness especially after exercise. I was wondering if there were any cases of healing from the use of this mineral. My physican offered me a beta-blocker of which has the most horrible side effects, even heart attack. I do not feel comfortable with this drug, but know too that heart racing is not healthy. Not only would I like to know if anyone has had any success with magnesium, but what is the time frame of bringing the magnesium levels up to normal. With all of the troubles of mine I also have tremendous allergic reactions to many drugs, foods and chemicals. Some direction would be greatly apprecitaed. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Elizabeth

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
07/18/2012
2063 posts

Elizabeth, I also take Lisinipril for HBP and then prescribed beta blocker and found my liver unable to detox it so I am running a little high; but do not have your heart racing. Lisinipril is very effective at reducing hypertension but it is hard on the kidneys. Do you restrict your sodium? Get enough Potassium? Cranberry or D-Mannose helps clear the infection. Herbs like Parsley, Cedar Berry help kidney function. Start w/ 250mg Magnesium daily for a few days then bump up to 500mg. Mg is also good for the heart. I would also take some Carnitine or/and CoQ10 for heart support. Hope this helps and good luck.

Replied by Latonia
(Marshallville, Ga, United States)
07/18/2012

Transfer Factor Cardio is also good to use. It has transfer factor which is a messenger molecule that rememebers potential threats to your cardiovascular system. It is used to balance blood pressure without the side effects. Look for transfer factor cardio and click on the product's profie sheet to see all of the ingredients and what it does. Vitamin b3 is also good for lowering blood pressure but you may need to take bcomplex and additional b3.

Replied by Judy7450
(Caneyville, Ky)
10/01/2013

Lisinopril caused my heart to race. It also caused my panic attacks. I went off it and haven't had any since.

Replied by T1D&Fading
(PA)
08/04/2021
8 posts

"Lisinipril is very effective at reducing hypertension but it is hard on the kidneys." That's odd - My doctor prescribed 5mg a day of lisinipril to lower the pressure in my kidneys.


Body Odor

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Posted by Lewis (Auckland, New Zealand) on 12/23/2009
★★★★★

Mag Citrate

Hi there. One question for you...many years ago I started making my own magnesium citrate with 97.4% pure mag. metal dissolved in lemon juice to such a solution that it wouldn't dissolve any more (ph.7) I then add a few organic herbs and a little tea tree oil and make deodorant, I've only started reading all this info about magnesium (either chloride, sulphate or citrate) my question to you is this does 3 squirts each side under arm seem excessive to you, I must say it works fine for me as a deodorant with no side effects, I am reading all about mag. oil would this be a better mag. additive for the deodorant,

Kind regards
Lewis

Replied by Joyce
(Joelton, Tn)
12/25/2009
495 posts

Hello Lewis from Auckland,

To give you a definite answer to your question one would need to know how much magnesium is contained in those 3 squirts to each armpit, but you are probably in no danger from overdosing on magnesium if you don't have any renal problems.

Apparently the kidneys have some function in processing and excreting magnesium since urologist advise renal patients to not take magnesium supplements, but with the laxative action oral magnesium has one would think that the GI tract is the main one doing this job. However I have read that the most accurate way to tell when your magnesium level is up to normal range, is to test the urine for magnesium because the serum level can be reading normal but still be low until you start excreting magnesium in the urine.


Circulation

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Posted by Daniel (Iowa) on 11/27/2017
★★★★★

Before taking the magnesium bicarbonate water I would get chilled easily. Whenever I would fall asleep my body would get very chilly. Anyway, the magnesium bicarbonate water has worked wonders.


Circulation
Posted by Jeff (Cebu City, Philippines) on 08/26/2011
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Recently, I bought Magnesium Chloride crystals and made mag oil out of it. My mom, who has both diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, seems to sleep better when I rub it on her lower legs. The problem is that it constantly itches. I am not sure if she is allergic to it since her legs don't turn red or anything but it itches like being bitten by a mosquito. I've been rubbing it on her legs for almost a week and the level of itching is still the same. I tried once to just paint it on her soles and it seems that her soles don't itch but her legs still itches even if I just rub it on her soles. My wife is speculating that it may be an issue of bad circulation. Has anyone experienced this? I've read through the magnesium and circulation postings and didn't find anything about itching. I did read somewhere that its quite probable since blood starts travel back in your skin and that makes it itch. My question is, how long does it take for the itching to start subsiding?

Replied by Lisa
(Rabat, Morocco)
08/26/2011

Hi Jeff, I don't know if this is true or not, but I have read from several people online that if a person is deficient in magnesium that the oil will cause burning/itching. From my own experience I found this to be true. When I first started the mag. oil, I had terrible burning/itching and stopped using it. I took mag. powder internally for awhile then went back to using the oil again. This time, I had no burnng/itching. I couldn't say how long it will take for this to go away.

Replied by Maria
(Gippsland, Australia)
08/26/2011

Hi Jeff, This also happened to me. All through childhood and until recently I would even have to wash sea water off after having a swim, no waiting till I got home. Instead of rubbing the mag oil on spray it on and leave it on for a few minutes or till the itching starts and rinse off. Then lightly rub legs with ev olive oil or coconut oil. Soaking the feet in a tub also helps, do it for 20 mins in the evening. If all else fails try epsom salts foot soaks. I have never had a problem with epsom salts. Absolutely excellent in the bath and foot soaks, just use a jug of water or shower to rinse off. It may also be worthwhile taking a small amount of magnesium orally about 1/2 hour before bed. It's interesting that your wife thinks it could be circulation as I would have to say that mine has improved and now sea water does not need to be rinsed off, never thought of that.

If your mum has any other skin issues have a look at neem supplements and some morning or afternoon sunshine for Vit D. All the best.

Replied by Jeff
(Cebu City, Philippines)
08/31/2011

Thanks for the feedback. To Maria, what my wife meant was that my mom may have bad circulation issues before, and taking mag oil made the circulation better. My mom-in-law used to tell her that some people get itchy skin when the circulation comes rushing back, since blood tends to float up to the skin. I guess her circulation improved since she is sleeping better. But now her skin is full of red spots. I'm laying off the magnesium chloride for a while. Last night I tried dipping her feet in water with H202 which seemed to help lighten the red spots a bit. I don't think she's allergic to the mag oil because its only the top part of her foot which has the red spots. Her shins do itch but no spots. I also rubbed some on her forearm and even her chest but no red spots. only 1 area has those.

Do you guys think its ok to soak her feet in epsom salt even with the red spots or should I let it subside first?

Replied by Jeff
(Cebu City, Philippines)
09/05/2011
★★★★★

As an update, the red spots that manifested on my mom's skin which was caused by the Magnesium Oil actually disappeared when I applied magnesium oil onto it. I read on another website that the red spots are suppose to be unused calcium from the cells which floated up to the skin, and putting magnesium oil on those spots should let the calcium go back to the bloodstream so that it can be used again by the body.


Constipation

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Posted by Smithsurfermom (Huntington Beach, Ca) on 07/15/2012
★★★★★

I spent most of my adult life constipated. I was the only one who went to Mexico and prayed for Montezumas revenge! Now that I take magnesium 500 mg. 2x daily, everything works just like it clockwork. I have heard it is also good for migraine sufferers. I used to have lots of migraines when I was younger but went through menopause and they pretty much stopped (hormones were the culprit). I wish I had started taking magnesium years ago and maybe my migraines would have gone away alot sooner or at least been less frequent.


Constipation
Posted by Jennifer (Sunrise, Fl, Usa) on 11/04/2011
★★★★★

Have to add a big YES YES YES to Magnesium! I have been chronically constipated since I was a child. I usually used Triphala to help my slow bowel issues, which encourages the peristalsic contractions, but my bowels were still a little on the slow side (1 BM every 2 days) and most of the time they were too hard. I started taking magnesium for my anxiety issues and found that not only is magnesium a great supplement to relieve anxiety, but as an unintended result, my bowels are now soft and very easy to pass and I have a regular BM every day. No wonder Milk of Magnesia is a laxative - go figure!

I use a powdered blend of magnesium citrate and magnesium carbonate (two of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium) and take 1/2 teaspoonful every day. I use the powdered form because some studies show that the coating on tablets reduces the absorption of magnesium. It's best to start small to see how you react and increase the dosage if you find you need more. If your bowels are too loose, you are taking too much. If they are comfortably loose, you are at the right amount. Make sure you do not surpass the recommended amount per day, because your kidneys have to work hard to excrete the magnesium, and toxity has been reported in very high dosages. Do not use if you have kidney problems.

As another wonderful benefit, magnesium is very relaxing and is great for people who suffer from anxiety issues. Magnesium supplementation is also good for people who are taking calcium and/or Vitamin B6.


Constipation
Posted by Anna (Dayton, OH) on 07/10/2009
★★★★★

I worked with a famous local herbalist and many people came in with constipation problems. My friend would have a bowel movement once a week. My other older friend would have to go to the hospital periodically because of constipation. The remedy that worked for me and both of my friends was magnesium. I take 2 magnesium (200 to 250 mg apiece)for insomnia every night. Every morning when I wake up I naturally have a bm. According to my herbalist magnesium relaxes every cell of your body and we don't get enough of it. My younger friend with constipation was tested for 12 (200mg) tabs a day till her bowels got loose enough and then she was to back down-taking less-till she found how manny worked well for her. My herbalist used to say you can't get enough magnesium-your body needs it so much. Whether that is true or not I don't know. But I do know it's the best solution for my constipation and insomnia.


Constipation
Posted by Fauna (Lynnwood, WA) on 12/18/2007
★★★★★

I love love love, what magnesium has done for me. I was constipated for the last 30 years of my life. I was in a lot of discomfort and even excluded myself from social gatherings because of gas and bloating. Once a week was the norm most times less. I feel like I have wasted a lot of my life because of this problem. I added magnesium to my diet because of a problem I am having with my teeth, and what do you know, regular, like clockwork bowel movements. I have also added oatmeal to my diet, but by using the magnesium regularly, I feel so much better. Those who rely on laxatives are really missing the boat on this one, and should strongly rethink how they treat their bodies. Even though I should be laxative dependent, I never stooped to that way of life, but I know that a lot of women rely on laxatives to produce bowel movements. I feel freed by this information and only wish I had had it 30 years earlier.

Replied by Maya
(Cincinnati, Usa)
02/15/2012
★★★★★

I concur 100%... Lifelong constipation, high cholesterol and now gallstone. I just realized I am probably magnesium defincient to I started taking it and like clock-work the BM's are daily... I am hoping it helps the other issues (research says it does).


Cysts

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Posted by Malikitheguy (Kc, Mo, Us) on 01/05/2012
★★★★★

Hi, I was taking a magnesium citrate product for cyst issues, which it took care of very well and quickly, only taken a couple times the last I took slightly under the recommended dose and I started having palpitations and it became hard to breathe I was wondering if there was any link to this? or if its just me... Thanks much!

Replied by Maria
(Gippsland, Australia)
01/06/2012

Hi Malikitheguy, Could you be low in potassium? Try taking some potassium with the magnesium and if you can't get potassium try taking the Mg with lemon juice as it has a small amount in it (if it's grown well). Dates are also a good source. Otherwise try a different type of magnesium like epsom salts or magnesium chloride. All the best.


Depression

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Posted by Doris (Murfreesboro, TN) on 12/05/2007
★★★★★

My son suffered from anxiety and depression after his divorce. I read an article by George Eby about Magnesium Glycinate for depression. I bought my son some of the magnesium and after a few days he started feeling better and talked about having more energy and concentration. He took 800-1000 mgs. for a few days to build it up in his system, then backed down to 400 mgs. The Magnesium Glycinate really changed his life.


Digestion

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Posted by Luana (Hollywood, Florida ) on 06/20/2011
★★★★★

Thank you Bill from San Fernando! Your comments and links on magnesium chloride. This saved my digestion. ACV had helped with acid reflux but the magnesuim chloride is a miracle. I was in such bad shape, wasn't even able to digest food. From everything I have read it appears that I have been deficient in magnesium for a long time, but my entire chemistry was messed up by a staff infection I was given during surgey or from all the antibiotics. It happened so fast and doctors have no clue. They don't even take you serioulsy if they can't just perscribe a deadly drug. I have been getting sicker and sicker and just didn't know how much longer I could go on. I was taking the magnesium at night.

One night I watched a documentary called Feed your head about a doctor curing paranoid schitzophrenia with niacin. I have niacin but didn't take it regularly. That night I took the niacin with the magnesium and the next day I felt wonderful the next day, it was so dramatic. In the info you posted it states you need magnesium to properly metabolzie b vitamins and boy I sure learned that taking the two together. I thought the first day may have been a fluke, but as every day was better, it could only have been the magnesium with the niacin.

So I told my husband and he tried it. He experienced the same thing, you wake up feeling so good, full of energy and don't even need the coffee. I owe you Bill. I got a copy of my blood tests and the thing that was really out of control was my calcium levels. My doctor never even mentioned this, I guess he didn't see this as a problem. I am post menapausal for 10 years so supposedly should be calcium deficient. I was really upset to learn about the calcium and how the great damage these lies are doing to our bodies. I have had kidney problems from calcium deposits for years. Have bone spurs from calcium and can only imagine what it has done to my heart and arteries.

Our American healthcare is criminal. I am sharing the magnesium chloride and niacin at night with everyone I know. Especially with other women as we are bombarded with the suppsed need for all this calcium and have no idea that without magnesium, we are poisioning our bodies.

Replied by Mary
(Regina, Canada)
06/20/2011

Hi: would you share what form and amount of magnesium and how much niacin. Also is this on an empty right before bed? Thanks

Replied by Luana
(Hollywood, Fl)
06/21/2011

I take 2 Alta Magensium Chloride tablets with a 500 mg niacin. I started taking all my b vitamins now at night and no longer have bright yellow urine, so it sure seems that the magensium does impact the metabolization of b vitamins, so you actually use the vitamin. I started taking the same dose of the magnesium and niacin during the early afternoon or late morning. Starting to get tired mid afternoon like the effects wore off. Now it lasts through the day.

Replied by Luana
(Hollywood, Fl)
06/21/2011
★★★★★

Hi Mary, forgot to answer you on timing. We take about an hour before bed or so. I drink with milk but my husband just with water. Like I said, it has worked great doing it in the afternoon too. You just need to take the niacin with the magnesium. I had starting taking the magnesium chloride at night, and just happened to want to take the niacin after watching the documentry on Dr. Abram Hoffer and niacin. That made me want ti take niacin so I took it with the magenesium. I had taken niacin many times over the years but never felt anything but the flush. I never experienced anything like the effect as such when taking it with the magnesium chloride. The magnesium was great for sleep, acid reflux, digestion and for nerves, but alone there was no effect of the energy and mental clarity, better and disposition as such as when taken with the niacin. From Dr. Hoffer's research, niacin is just so important for the brain, which needs so much more nutrients than an other body system. But the just plain old feeling so good and energy wasn't something I was expecting. Everyone else I have given this too has the same experience. Just some feel so good in the AM then sort of hit an afternoon crash, but take the mag and niacin again and you are set for the day.


Dosage

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Posted by George (Toronto, Ontario) on 01/04/2012

I have been taking about 1000 mg of elemental Magnesium per day for the past few years to regulate my system and help with bowel function and over all health. It has worked wonders but I am concerned that I may damage my body with this amount of supplements per day. Naturpaths and other practitioners say that this amount of magnisium is safe? Does anyone have any other feedback on this?

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Usa)
01/04/2012
2063 posts

George, this doesn't appear to be an issue of safety, but of healthy. If you wish to BALANCE and OPTIMIZE your body's minerals, consider a complete mineral supplement like Ionic Trace Minerals Complex that contains up to 72 minerals. I have been having very good results w/ a Great Salt Lake mineral supplement in caps or liquid. Supplementing ALL the available minerals, you would thereby greatly reduce or totally eliminate the need for EXTRA magnesium. Also take 1 - 3 grams Taurine daily to help your body with mineral utilization.

Replied by Francisca
(Zug, Zug, Switzerland)
01/05/2012

In a book I am reading right now, Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, Mark Sircus says that actually 1000mg a day might be the good amount for most people! I diluted Nigari in water and rub it over my body so I have no idea how much I am getting!


Dosage
Posted by Jeff (Cebu City, Philippines) on 09/05/2011

I recently bought magnesium chloride crystals at a local pharmacy, and made magnesium oil out of it. I am just wondering if I decide to take the crystals orally, how much should I be taking in terms of spoonfuls in a day? 1/8 tsp? 1/4? maybe more? the article by chris gupta is saying that it should be 25g/litre of water, but I don't want to make a batch of it, so I want to know how much it should be in terms of single servings.

Replied by William
(San Fernando, La Union)
09/06/2011
★★★★★

Hi Jeff... Magnesium Chloride can be taken in amounts up to 1/2 tspn in a glass of water per day. This amount has historically been used to cure diseases like diptheria and polio in the earlier days when medicine was more honest. See this link:

http://curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=49&db=5&C0=74

Normally, if you are taking MC for a specific reason for the first time, you should take a larger dose -- say 1/2 tspn and try to find the point where you get loose stools or diarrhea. This is called titrating the dose. This tells you that you body is getting enough magnesium and that's when you should cut back to 1/8 or 1/4 tspn a day. Every individual will have a different requirement for magnesium and this is the best way to find it.

Chris Gupta says you should take 25g/litre which works out to 2. 5gms(or 1/2 tspn) per 100 mL(or about 1/2 glass of water).

If you are using Magnesium Oil, the dosage is 10 drops two or three times a day outside mealtimes. Again you should try and find your own level by titration.

Replied by Jeff
(Cebu City, Philippines)
09/23/2011

Thanks Bill! If I understand you correctly, if my body could tolerated 1/2 tsp of MC, then eventually I would start having diarrhea when my body hits the limit? or is it that I get diarrhea the first time around if I take more than what my body can take?

Also, I want to get this clear that we're talking about 1/2 tsp per day right? not 1/2 tsp 3x a day?


Eliminates Chocolate Cravings

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Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 04/04/2013
★★★★★

I took magnesium plus other supplements but always craving chocolate, never satisfied. Recently I have found that I need to take a full spectrum mineral plus a magnesium citrate supplement .... both in the morning and at night. I read that some people are so low on mag and minerals that they have to slowly LOAD UP ON THEM UNTIL THEY GET DIARRHEA and then back off to their needed dose.

No more chocolate cravings... YAY!!!



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