Magnesium is required for many processes in the body, including glutathione production, our most potent detoxifier. Having a magnesium deficiency can lead to obnoxious, persistent, and painful symptoms. We’re sharing our expert insider info on the signs of magnesium deficiency, and the best supplement options.
It’s a “cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation.”¹
When patients are low in magnesium, they often experience headaches or migraines, depression, PMS symptoms, anxiety, fatigue, muscle twitching, high blood pressure, and asthma.² Things like alcohol consumption, antibiotics and other prescription medications, intestinal permeability (‘leaky gut’), diarrhea, and chronic stress can be the root cause behind low magnesium, or it can simply be attributed to a low absorption rate for even the most magnesium-rich food sources.
At The Center for Fully Functional® Health, we use these forms of magnesium in the SUPPORT phase of our Fully Functional® protocol:
A common, cost-effective oral form. In addition to providing magnesium support, this form can loosen stools, which is a side-effect that can be flipped to be beneficial, if patients are experiencing constipation. You may find our Fully Functional® formula at our store.
This oral format of magnesium is one of the most popular because it is assimilated well into the body without having a laxative effect. You may find our Fully Functional formula® at our shop.
This form is great for brain support. Dr. Perlmutter, who specializes in functional neurology, appreciates this form because it “has the unique ability to permeate the brain and enhance the receptors” that are involved in synapse formation in the brain.³ This supplement comes in a berry-flavored powder that features Albion’s chelated magnesium for enhanced absorption. A groundbreaking organic magnesium compound that was developed by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) researchers to support brain health and cognitive function. It comes in a powdered form that we often recommend patients taking before bed, you may read more and shop our formula at our store.
Last but definitely not least, we recommend topical magnesium because it can be absorbed through the skin, and bypasses the digestive system, which can be compromised in many of the patients we see. Magnesium Chloride is also highly absorbed into the body compared to many of the forms of magnesium.⁵ Transdermal formats include spray and bath flakes which we carry in our office. We also have a fabulous recipe for Lavender Infused Magnesium Bath Salts.
It should be noted that some patients share that this form causes itching (especially if more deficient) that should subside after further application. The abdomen and legs are great application areas.
Before taking any new supplements or trying new therapies, please check with your physician first. Feel free to print this article and share it with them! We hope that if you are experiencing a magnesium deficiency, that you find relief soon.
You can book an appointment at our functional medicine practice by clicking here. We are also happy to speak with you at (317) 989-8463, Monday-Thursday, from 8AM – 5PM Eastern time.
Sources:
1 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
2 https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine
3 https://www.drperlmutter.com/magnesium-threonate-powers-brain/
4 https://magtein.com/pages/magtein-science
5 https://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-chloride/
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