Hi Tex,
After reading a fair amount about magnesium in some posts (which I can't find now, of course) I decided this morning that I probably should be doing this. Would this be a good one to start with?
http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-S ... hgodHXgEhA
I read somewhere that if your stools become looser you are taking too much. I don't want to start with a large dose because my stools are loose enough already. LOL
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I have enjoyed browsing through the posts for a couple of weeks and am so impressed how much knowledge and information are passed on here.
Question about Magnesium Supplemet
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Question about Magnesium Supplemet
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Hi Shirley,
Yes, I truly believe that virtually every one of us has a magnesium deficiency. I suspect that it's one of the reasons why we have MC in the first place because a magnesium deficiency is associated not only with all IBDs, but also with most other serious diseases. And doctors are unaware of the problem because they always test for magnesium by using the serum magnesium test that's been proven (by published research) to be almost totally worthless. That test will always show a normal level of magnesium unless the patient is so short of magnesium that there is virtually none left anywhere in the cells of the body, and that's a life-threatening condition.
Personally, I wouldn't consider the product at the link you provided to be a good choice. Why? Because for some odd reason they use a blend of several different types of magnesium and most of the magnesium in the blend is poorly absorbed and prone to causing diarrhea. Apparently they made their choices based on price, not benefits for the customer. I suppose they think that consumers will view a blend as a brilliant idea, but it's only brilliant from a sales viewpoint. The problem lies in their choice of magnesium compounds. According to their label, it contains:
Note that magnesium oxide is the first one listed on their label. That means that there's more magnesium oxide in the product than any of the others. It's the cheapest form of magnesium. Magnesium glycinate is listed last, meaning that the product contains the least amount of that type. Magnesium glycinate is the most expensive form of magnesium (except for ReMag, which is a specialty product helpful for people who can't absorb conventional forms of magnesium).
Most of us here use chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate) because it is one of the most easily absorbed forms and it's also the form that is the least likely to cause diarrhea in larger doses. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's worth it. Here's what most of us use. This product contains 100 mg of elemental magnesium in each tablet, so it's easy to fine tune your dose.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Abs ... D0RT0?th=1
You're very welcome and I hope that some of this is helpful.
Tex
Yes, I truly believe that virtually every one of us has a magnesium deficiency. I suspect that it's one of the reasons why we have MC in the first place because a magnesium deficiency is associated not only with all IBDs, but also with most other serious diseases. And doctors are unaware of the problem because they always test for magnesium by using the serum magnesium test that's been proven (by published research) to be almost totally worthless. That test will always show a normal level of magnesium unless the patient is so short of magnesium that there is virtually none left anywhere in the cells of the body, and that's a life-threatening condition.
Personally, I wouldn't consider the product at the link you provided to be a good choice. Why? Because for some odd reason they use a blend of several different types of magnesium and most of the magnesium in the blend is poorly absorbed and prone to causing diarrhea. Apparently they made their choices based on price, not benefits for the customer. I suppose they think that consumers will view a blend as a brilliant idea, but it's only brilliant from a sales viewpoint. The problem lies in their choice of magnesium compounds. According to their label, it contains:
This is a cheap blend. As conventional magnesium supplements go, magnesium glycinate is the best, magnesium citrate is very good, magnesium succinate is good, and magnesium oxide is virtually useless as a magneium supplement, but it's a very good laxative. In general, magnesium carbonate, sulfate, gluconate, and oxide should be avoided because they are poorly absorbed. And because they're the cheapest, they're the forms that are most commonly used in most cheap supplements, including multivitamins.Magnesium (as magnesium oxide, citrate, succinate, TRAACS® magnesium lysyl glycinate chelate)
Note that magnesium oxide is the first one listed on their label. That means that there's more magnesium oxide in the product than any of the others. It's the cheapest form of magnesium. Magnesium glycinate is listed last, meaning that the product contains the least amount of that type. Magnesium glycinate is the most expensive form of magnesium (except for ReMag, which is a specialty product helpful for people who can't absorb conventional forms of magnesium).
Most of us here use chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate) because it is one of the most easily absorbed forms and it's also the form that is the least likely to cause diarrhea in larger doses. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's worth it. Here's what most of us use. This product contains 100 mg of elemental magnesium in each tablet, so it's easy to fine tune your dose.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Abs ... D0RT0?th=1
Thank you for the kind words. We continue to learn, and everyone who spends a lot of time here becomes an expert, whether they realize it or not. As more and more MC patients learn more about the disease, maybe our doctors will eventually become inspired (or shamed) into learning more about it, also.Shirley wrote:I have enjoyed browsing through the posts for a couple of weeks and am so impressed how much knowledge and information are passed on here.
You're very welcome and I hope that some of this is helpful.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank You!!
Thank you very much, Tex. I just put in my order for some. I really appreciate it.
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
You're very welcome. When we have a chronic magnesium deficiency it can increase insulin resistance and that can make the absorption of magnesium (into the cells) more difficult. IOW, we may not respond to the magnesium supplement normally. In such cases, starting with a reduced dose and slowly increasing the dose may work better. We have one or two members who do not respond at all to conventional oral magnesium supplements. For them, Dr. Carolyn Dean's ReMag works much better. But most of us respond well to the magnesium glycinate.
If it's working for you, you should notice that you are able to sleep better (especially if you take some of the magnesium just before bedtime) and if you are experiencing any leg or foot cramps at night, they should quickly fade away. But it can take months to restore magnesium reserves in the cells back to a good level.
Please let us know how it goes.
Tex
If it's working for you, you should notice that you are able to sleep better (especially if you take some of the magnesium just before bedtime) and if you are experiencing any leg or foot cramps at night, they should quickly fade away. But it can take months to restore magnesium reserves in the cells back to a good level.
Please let us know how it goes.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks for the advice and I will follow it. I expect the supplement to arrive fairly quickly since I am an Amazon Prime member due to the fact that I like to "shop" on the internet. LOL I can't wait to get started on them. I'll try to start low and be slow about increasing. 
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Received the Dr's Best mag supplements on Tuesday. Suggested dosage is 2 tabs twice daily. (400 mg per day). Since I had decided to start slowly, I am taking only 2 tabs per day (200 mg per day). Do you think that is reasonable or do you think I should increase the dosage right away. Is a week on this dosage long enough to increase to 3 tabs daily or should I double it? I'm sorry to keep asking about this but I want to get it right. LOL
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Sure, there's nothing wrong with taking 200 mg per day for a while. In general, it takes a relatively long time to rebuild magnesium reserves anyway, so spending some time slowly stepping up the dose may help the body to adapt to the change. Because magnesium works with insulin to transport nutrients to the cells where they are needed, our utilization rate will improve as time goes on, and we will be able to absorb and store more of the magnesium in each dose as our body's ability to use it becomes more efficient. If we take too much magnesium early on, most of it may be wasted anyway, especially if we have some degree of insulin resistance when we start.
I have no idea what the optimal timing for dosage increases might be (it's probably different for each of us), but I would think that a week or 2 at each dose level should work OK.
I hope that you'll be able to feel some benefits within a few days. That always helps to reinforce our decision to take a supplement.
Tex
I have no idea what the optimal timing for dosage increases might be (it's probably different for each of us), but I would think that a week or 2 at each dose level should work OK.
I hope that you'll be able to feel some benefits within a few days. That always helps to reinforce our decision to take a supplement.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
It shouldn't hurt anything to "rush it". As long as our kidneys are in good working order, if we absorb more magnesium into our blood than can be moved to the cells for storage or use, it will simply be removed by the kidneys, in order to keep the blood level in the normal range. If we have compromised kidney function, then we have to be more careful not to overdo it.
You're most welcome,
Tex
You're most welcome,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks Tex. I think I'll increase next Tuesday. :)
Graham, No need to thank me. LOL I'm just trying to follow advice from Tex. I have absolutely no idea how much magnesium I should work up to and Dr's Best was also a suggestion from Tex. I had not been on this board to any extent for a long time but I'm very glad to be back. I have always been very impressed with the knowledge and research done here. I am certainly not totally compliant with diet and other suggestions offered here but without this board I don't think my life would have been as good as it has been without it. I am not as sensitive to gluten and soy as many are which may be why I have a hard time being completely compliant. I wish you good luck.
Graham, No need to thank me. LOL I'm just trying to follow advice from Tex. I have absolutely no idea how much magnesium I should work up to and Dr's Best was also a suggestion from Tex. I had not been on this board to any extent for a long time but I'm very glad to be back. I have always been very impressed with the knowledge and research done here. I am certainly not totally compliant with diet and other suggestions offered here but without this board I don't think my life would have been as good as it has been without it. I am not as sensitive to gluten and soy as many are which may be why I have a hard time being completely compliant. I wish you good luck.
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill