[Greyhound]

I am trying magnesium as non-med help for Tourette syndrome and the tablets I bought are magnesium and calcium combined into one but I was wondering: as I drink milk every day, is it necessary to have calcium as well, or should I try magnesium on its own? I don't want to have too much calcium and also calcium and magnesium work together, so having lots of one would sure mean that the other's levels need to be kept up. Also, I've heard that drinking milk can worsen tics. Is this because there's to much calcium compared with the magnesium? And if so, would that mean I shouldn't be drinking milk and taking calcium supplements?

[Chemar]

hi again

increased tics from milk usually is a result of lactose/casein intolerance which a number of TS people seem to have, along with gluten intolerance. But if you arent dairy allergic it shouldnt be a problem. My son drinks a lot of milk with no adverse effects on tics

re the extra calcium...if you get enough in diet it isnt usually necessary to supplement extra. the theory is that it is primarily magnesium that TS people are deficient in ... here is some info on it from Bonnie Grimaldi herself:
http://www.bonniegr.com/news.htm

it is believed that magnesium taurate is best form for those with TS tho my son has always taken his magnesium and taurine separately (he uses a blend of mag citrate and glycinate)

mrsD has an excellent thread here on Magnesium
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138

[mrsD]

most people get enough calcium in the diet. Even today, we have it added to
foods as well... calcium enhanced orange juice, cheese, cereals.

Please, read the link Chemar posted here.

Most people should start at 1/2 the RDA for elemental magnesium.
On that thread I explain that. The estimate is that most people who are low in mag are about 50% low. Much lower than that and you are potentially ill, and at cardiac risk, and typically are identified by doctors.

Combined products often use magnesium oxide either 100% or at least the
majority of it. They may say "contains magnesium from oxide and chelate"
which means mostly oxide. The oxide form is not well absorbed and basically useless.

If you decide to use larger doses of magnesium, you need to be sure you have normal kidney functioning. People with kidney damage do not excrete magnesium and may become toxic if they use large amounts.

I like Chemar's advice... because the magnesium taurate does not have alot of elemental magnesium in it. By taking them separately taurine + magnesium you can be sure of what you are getting and alter the ratios if you need to do so.

Magnesium is very useful for TS. It is also essential to metabolize Omega-3's in the diet to long chain fatty acids, which are used in the brain.