What kind of Magnesium do you take and why?

(Shawn) #1

Last few nights I’ve had a severe calf cramp around 4am. I take 400mg of magnesium malate, although not very regularly. Most of the magnesium including “Calm” on the shelves is citrate and according to Tracy Grady of the Magnesium advocacy group, citrate is not recommended because it interferes with Ceruluoplasmin and can cause iron disregulation and health issues. Thoughts??

#2

Calf cramps can also be related to Potassium. At one point I was taking heaps of magnesium and it wasn’t helping my late night calf cramps. Then I added Apple Cider Vinegar (potassium) and it made the difference.

I take the quality nutrient company magnesium formulas. In the past I’ve been a cheapskate and used epsom salts (1T in a drink) and topical magnesium chloride. The powders I use now have some kind of chelated magnesium compound, but they also include potassium and absorption enhancers like Vitamin C and taurine.

#3

I suffer from chronic constipation and take magnesium (capsules) to achieve regularity. The dosage depends on my needs, and I take any ‘-ate’ form because that’s what was recommended to me by a physician. My current product has a combination of citrate, malate, and one other -ate type.

I have seen scientists who argue that magnesium citrate is not a problem, as the studies were done on rodents, and a human who have to ingest an extraordinary amount to cause any problems. So I don’t worry about it.

#4

My understanding of the biggest issue with magnesium citrate is quality control. As in, some of it simply isn’t magnesium citrate.

(Michael Wallace Ellwood) #5

I use magnesium glycinate, or (at the moment), one by “Doctor’s Best” which is both the glycinate and the lysinate.

(eat more) #6

i take a magnesium citrate tablet (200mg) right before bed for relaxation/sleep and as an anti-inflammatory…for approx 2 years now

#7

I apply hypertonic magnesium chloride on my leg muscles twice daily. It’s called an oil because it’s a slippery water based solution any skin reactions can be soothed with topical coconut oil, and that may enhance magnesium absorption across the skin oil barrier (but that last thought is just a thought, not scientifically shown). You can make your own at home by using 25g crystals in 100ml soft water (distilled water, or rain water).

I take 600mg of magnesium citrate in 4 x 150mg per day. There are mentions in the literature of the advantage of dosing magnesium throughout the day, rather than in a single dose.

I occasionally take an extra magnesium aspartate 500mg after exercise. Sometimes I’m in the surf for 2 hours.

Our house is on rainwater tanks, so I don’t get dissolved magnesium salts like most people on groundwater mains supply.

I eat seafood and add seaweed to my eggs breakfast. The ocean is a huge magnesium bath.