| Sleep Disturbances (1)
Magnesium supplements are often used for sleep disturbances. This can be anything from helping to go to sleep, or to go back to sleep when waking. Sleep can also be disturbed by night muscle cramps or Restless legs. As an example, I have one client who had suffered from Restless Legs for many years. I put her on my Magnesium formula and just two weeks later she reported that most of the problem had resolved.
Low Magnesium levels are almost impossible to measure because 99% Magnesium is stored in the fluid between our cells. Having a blood test for Magnesium status is much like checking the dipstick in your car engine to determine the health of your engine. The best way to diagnose low magnesium is by symptoms. These can be anything form poor sleep from cramp or restless legs, PMT headaches, general body aches, twitches, heart palpitations and several more.
Restless legs, and to some extent cramps, are problems for which there are few medical options. Cramp is more straightforward and is usually triggered by dehydration, very low salt intake and most frequently sub-optimum Magnesium levels.
I assess Magnesium levels mostly by symptoms and then recommend Magnesium doses to match these and adjust at the 6 week review if necessary. If someone has Cramp or Restless legs, I add Magnesium based on the severity of symptoms. I generally start with a higher dose for the first week and then reduce doses as symptoms abate.
The prestigious British Medical Journal (Open Heart, January 2018) commented that most people have insufficient Magnesium in their diets and recommended supplementation with 300mg of Magnesium daily to maintain good heart health.
I have recommended Magnesium for these problems for many years. Magnesium can be very effective, but results are based on the type of Magnesium supplements, the dosages and the timing of those doses. Each form of Magnesium is absorbed differently. Some do better on one form than others. Most supplements have only one form. I use three different forms of magnesium: Marine Magnesium from seawater, Magnesium Bi Glycinate and Magnesium Citrate.
For people without symptoms, I recommend my Cell eXtra multi-mineral/vitamin/antioxidant complex as it includes Magnesium. If you are symptomatic, I recommend adding my Magnesium Triple.
John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med.) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. If you have questions or need help you can contact John 0800 423559. You can email John at john@abundant.co.nz.
Please note that the health advice given through this column is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any health problem. © John Arts 2023 |
