Magnesium

 

Thanks for posting this, Springsjean!

I would like to add two items: the phosphoric acid in sodas is increasingly being replaced with citric acid going forward, and most people who grew up on a conventional Western (American/European) diet have some level of impaired mineral/nutrient assimilation, which is a compelling argument for using Epsom salts or something else that can be absorbed through the skin.

Minerals are more important than vitamins.  Plants and people can make vitamins, but not minerals.

 

Great post - I take a lot of magnesium and it has helped me!

I'm taking 500 mg. a day.  You can usually tell when you take enough by soft stools. 

I need to be taking more (currently taking 500mg Magnesium Oxide) than I am, but can't without getting diarrhea. I cannot take Mag. Glycinate (gives me severe heart palpitations) or Mag. Citrate (allergic/intolerant to citric acid/citrates). I've tried Mag. Malate but it gave me the runs too... Any ideas for another form of Magnesium I can try?

Thanks,

Can anyone recommend a good multi-mineral?

There is a non-profit web site I recommend that has loads of info about magnesium www.nutritionalmagnesium.org including a free e-booklet you can download when you sign up for the free newsletter. Here is some info that may help as well.

"Not all forms of magnesium are equally absorbed by the body and according to research, magnesium oxide is only 4% absorbed by the body.

The amount of magnesium your tissues can readily use is based on the amount of elemental or ionic magnesium that is released. There are several organic salt chelates that are highly absorbable such as magnesium citrate, taurate and malate as are angtrom forms of magnesium. Two forms to avoid are magnesium aspartate and glutamate. Aspartate breaks down into the neurotransmitter aspartic acid, which without being bound to other amino acids is neurotoxic. Glutamate also breaks down into the neurotransmitter glutamic acid, which without being bound to other amino acids is also neurotoxic. Both are components of aspartame which should also be avoided.

1. Practitioners may have a number of reasons for suggesting a particular supplement brand.
a) Their own research of ingredients, quality and absorbability or assimilation by the body.
b) Reading research studies on a particular product.
c) Individual patient's profile and body type.
d) Muscle testing or Kinesiology with a particular patient on a variety of supplements - choosing the best for that patient based on these tests.
e) Experience with a particular supplement and/or anecdotal results.

2. Absorbability - You can absolutely tell by the label if the body can absorb a supplement. But there are also additional factors which affect absorption:
a) Are the patient's intestines healthy or diseased.
b) Availability of protein transport molecules.
c) Availability of parathyroid hormone.
d) The rate of water absorption for water soluble supplements.
e) The amounts of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and lactose (milk sugar) in the body, all which inhibits certain supplement absorption.
f) Supplemental iron which can impede certain supplement absorption.
g) Yeast toxins, inflammatory substances the body produces as it tries to neutralize those toxins, and undigested food molecules all form barriers to the absorption of dietary an supplemental nutrients.

More on Absorbability - The mineral Magnesium is necessary for the enzymes that digest supplements and food--if you don't metabolize your supplements and food properly you don't get the nutrient benefits from the supplement. And yet over 75% of people are deficient in magnesium and do not get their RDA of this mineral.

3. Questionable Ingredients - Obviously harmful ingredients such as aspartame which is a neurotoxin, trans fats, artificial colors and flavors are all to be avoided. But there are also fillers that inhibit or slow absorption.

4) Synthetic vitamins: If the brackets after a vitamin has a food listed, it's natural, if it has a chemical listed, it's synthetic. Some products have both natural and synthetic vitamin - e.g., fruits and vegetables that supply natural vitamins.

5) Poor formulations: For example you need just as much magnesium as calcium for the best absorption of both.

6) Standardization: Not necessarily. Sometimes it's the whole herb that has the active component and also the natural components that neutralize any side effects of too much of the active herb.

7) One other factor to be aware of it that often the cheaper the product the cheaper the quality.

8. As we get older we become more deficient in magnesium and therefore require more in our diet and in supplement form. Weight for weight and dollar for dollar, the organic salt chelate in the form of magnesium citrate powder may be the best buy for general use. It is inexpensive and easily absorbed and can be found in most health food stores or vitamin shops."

Always consult your doctor.

In addition to magnesium I take liquid minerals, to get a better compliment of minerals

http://www.professionalsupplementcenter.com/E-LytePre-MixedLiquidMinerals.htm?

Okay, so if the Magnesium Aspartate is bad, what about if it's a combination of Magnesium Aspartate, Citrate, Orotate (milk) and Magnesium Oxide?

The magnesium I'm taking has those ingredients listed, and it says it is a "highly advanced magnesium supplement in a special herb base" and is supposed to be bioactive. It's been working well for me so far, but I wanted to check after seeing the mention of toxins for the aspartate.

Yes, and, if my memory is correct, you need calcium as it works in conjuntion with the magnesium. For magnesium, the citrate form has always worked just fine for me...the oxide form is kind of a waste of money.