Magnesium Advice
 

Hi
I see a lot of talk on here about taking Magnesium. It seems to help with anxiety and maybe sleep?

What is the correct form and dosage to take it in? I see a lot of different options at the store?

I would search through the threads for this info., but sometimes that is too exhausting.

THank you

Here is my magnesium thread:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138

You can use oral forms, but avoid OXIDE types, as they don't get absorbed and are useless except for laxative purposes.
Most of the other versions of magnesium are fairly well absorbed from the GI tract. Aim for 200mg a day dose, elemental to start. Read labels carefully to show what is elemental and what is the total weight/tablet.

SlowMag twice a day is a good one...it comes in a generic called Mag64. WalMart has it affordably (both brand and generic, or your pharmacy can order it.
Some Costcos have the generic behind the counter or they can order it for you---it is very low price there for the generic.
This delayed version is well absorbed.

You can also use a lotion form, called Morton Epsom lotion.
This is at Walgreen's and WalMart or online at Amazon.
This is a wonderful way to loosen up your neck and shoulders if you have spasms or pain there. Applied at night it will help you sleep too. Just use about a quarter's diameter per day if applying it on arms or legs or back, or a fingertip amount on the neck area once a day. You do not need huge amounts of it..as the magnesium in it gets absorbed nicely.

Here are the recommendations from the specialists in my area for magnesium intake:

Neurologist: 200 mg a day

Sports Med/Concussion Doctor: 500 mg (twice daily) in Vital Nutrients brand

Any thoughts about epsom salt baths for magnesium or relief?

Just my opinion, but they're great.
Important thing I think is to follow directions and don't use more than recommended. For people who may have vertigo or get dizzy spells, just please be careful with water temperature and getting in and out of bath. :)

mrsD will tell you that epsom salts are great.

Vital Nutrients mag is no better than any other non mag-oxide product.

Epsom salt baths are relaxing and useful. They do make the water
very slippery...so be careful. You have to soak a while to get benefits...at least 20min or more. Do not use HOT water...use only lukewarm.

Less is absorbed in a bath, than you can provide orally.

The lotion is handy also for the neck areas, jaws area, etc. You will get more absorption from the lotion when used in the inner wrists and up the inner arm to the elbow. This is where skin is
thin and veins near the surface.

Don't overdo it...you need healthy kidneys to excrete any excess magnesium you apply or take.

What does the lotion actually do for the neck area? Relieve tension?

Magnesium increases circulation to inflamed tissue. It dilates small vessels so blood can flow better.

Magnesium is a NMDA pain receptor antagonist. It blocks pain signal transmission.

Magnesium works in the mitochondria at the membrane level to improve metabolism of the cells.

Magnesium works opposite to calcium for muscle functions. Calcium is the contracting electrolyte and magnesium is the relaxing electrolyte so cramping, tense muscles relax.

Magnesium is a biochemical factor in the proper metabolism of fats so that Omega-3's can be utilized properly.

You can visit a magnesium site and read more actions...there are many... like this one from Univ. of Oregon:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium

Mrs.D, Where do you get your magnesium lotion? Called all around yesterday to stores and also a few pharmacies with no luck. A local pharmacy did tell me they make up a magnesium compound lotion but it's by prescription only starting at 10% ??