There Seens To Be More To Magnesium Than Meets The Eye

[tex]

Hi All,

The topic of magnesium comes up fairly often on this board, so most of us are aware of the need that many of us have for a magnesium supplement.

Since leg and foot cramps are a major problem for me if I don't take a magnesium supplement, I had been taking magnesium citrate for quite a while, and it seemed to work OK. I never noticed that it caused any D problems, and it worked so well that I could take a tablet every other day, or even skip a couple of days, and still not have any problems with cramps.

After reading a number of posts describing the advantages of magnesium glycinate (no risk of D), I decided to order a bottle and try it out. It seemed to work OK for maybe a week, and then to my surprise, I woke up one morning with cramps in one leg. So I switched back to magnesium citrate for a day or two, and things were OK again. A few days after switching back to magnesium glycinate, though, the cramps were back.

Over the past few weeks, I've continued to switch back and forth, and the results have been very similar. This morning, after taking magnesium glycinate for a few days, I woke up with cramps in both my right leg and foot, and the cramps weren't easy to get rid of, the way they were on the previous days. And they kept returning. After the 3rd or 4th round, I gave up and got up, and that finally stopped them.

I'm not sure what the problem is, but magnesium glycinate just doesn't seem to work for me. The dosage rate for both forms was 400 mg, which is a pretty substantial dose, so I can't figure out why the magnesium glycinate isn't adequate at that dosage rate. Of course, I could probably double the dose and it might work, but that would be a heck of a lot of magnesium in a daily dose (twice the full RDA). I'd rather not do that.

l notice that there are at least 11 different types of magnesium supplements, and one website says this about magnesium glycinate:

9. Magnesium Glycinate, Malate & Taurates

Chelated forms of magnesium holding moderate to low concentrations and higher levels of bioavailability. All three types of magnesium have a variety of uses, but none are as beneficial as the previous magnesium supplements listed above.

This is what is said about magnesium citrate:

3. Magnesium Citrate

Derived from the magnesium salt of citric acid, this form of magnesium has lower concentration, but a high level of bioavalibity (90%). Magnesium citrate is commonly used as to induce a bowel movement, but has also been studied for kidney stone prevention.

So the magnesium in magnesium citrate has a very high level of availability, which presumably is why it works so well for me, and why it can be used as a laxative.

The most effective form, however, is apparently magnesium orotate:

4. Magnesium Orotate

The most effective form of magnesium supplement, created through the use of the mineral salts of orotic acid. Both plants and animals use orotates to create DNA and RNA. Extensive scientific research by Dr. Hans A. Nieper, M.D. shows orotates can penetrate cell membranes, enabling the effective delivery of the magnesium ion to the innermost layers of the cellular mitochondria and nucleus. Magnesium orotate contains many properties that can help protect you and your health, while offering your cells the most readily absorbable form of magnesium on the market today.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natu ... magnesium/

Has anyone every tried magnesium orotate?

Any thoughts?

Tex

[JFR]

That's interesting Tex. Magnesium Glycinate does seem to keep leg cramps at bay for me. I can't remember what kind of magnesium I used before the glycinate but it sent me running to the bathroom pretty quickly. It always seems to come down to having to figure things out individually, although some things do seem to apply to everyone, like avoid gluten. In the details there is more variability.

Jean

[patc73]

I had been taking calcium with D plus a magnesium supplement for at least ten years, on my doctor's recommendation, up until about two months ago. Then I began to notice that my mouth was numb every time I took the pills. I did an elimination experiment, and the problem turned out to be the magnesium (I'm not sure what form I was taking). Plus, it did seem to keep my bowel movements loose. I'm now just using epsom salts in my bath water, and that does help, although I do sometimes get leg and foot cramps at night.
I'm not sure if I'm actually allergic to the magnesium, but I've noticed that many vitamins and supplements that contain it cause me the same numbness of the mouth. I'm down to taking Lil' Critters Gummy Vites, which are allergy-friendly and don't cause a reaction.

[Leah]

I haven't tried Orotate, but I do best with Magnesium Chloride it seems. Do you know anything about that form? I buy something called Slo-Mag

Leah

[tex]

OOps!

I somehow forgot to add the link to the source of the quotes about the types of magnesium. I've edited my post and added the link.


Jean,

Your diet probably isn't as deficient of magnesium as mine. Apparently I'm getting very little from my diet. Or the problem may be associated with the way it is absorbed. If magnesium happens to be primarily absorbed in the terminal ileum, then that would explain why I have problems with it, because part of my terminal ileum is missing. I have no idea where magnesium is actually absorbed, though.


Pat,

That's very interesting, and it certainly sounds as though you may be allergic to magnesium. I had never even thought of that as a possibility


Leah,

I know nothing about magnesium chloride, but here is that the MD author of that web page says about it:

5. Magnesium Chloride

A form of magnesium showing moderate concentrations, but higher levels of bioavalibity when compared to magnesium oxide. Magnesium chloride has many uses, most commonly to help manufacture paper, some types of cements and fireproofing agents.

While that description may well be accurate, it sort of leaves the impression that the good doctor might possibly be trying to cast a negative shadow on it, to help entice readers to buy his own formulation.

Tex

[Zizzle]

I've been taking Jean's Magnesium Glycinate by Kirkman Labs and tolerating it well. I also take a cal-mag citrate supplement, which includes magnesium citrate and oxide.

[humbird753]

The Magnesium supplement I was taking is from Nature Made, and the ingredients are: Magnesium Oxide, Cellulose Gel, Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide and Steric Acid. I discontinued using it as I felt it may have been why I continued with WD. Now after reading further in the link you provided, Tex, it is more than possible it has been the cause of the WD. My BM's have improved since I stopped taking it. Although, my recent glutened episode has set me back a bit. Thank you for the information, Tex.

Paula

[TXBrenda]

I get my magnesium through a topical application & it is in the form of magnesium chloride. It keeps my leg cramps at bay.

[mzh]

My husband and I used to get terrible leg and foot cramps. They completely stopped when we started drinking purified water with magnesium and potassium added "for taste" as the label says. So, it does far more for us than just add taste. :) We don't take any magnesium supplements.