Magnesium Plus 100 Vegetarian Capsules

Magnesium is a mineral that is essential to hundreds of processes within the body. The most well known and studied functions of magnesium are its roles in muscle, skeletal, and cardiovascular health. The side effects of a severe magnesium deficiency are very serious and potentially life-threatening , but less extreme deficiencies may be harder to spot. Other than not getting enough magnesium in the diet, causes of magnesium deficiency include decreased intestinal absorption, diarrhea, or urinary losses. These causes should be addressed and ruled out with a health professional before taking a magnesium supplement. ¹

Testing for magnesium levels is tricky, as most magnesium in the body is being used in cells. Therefore, a low level of magnesium in the blood does not necessarily mean that one is magnesium deficient. Magnesium insufficiency may be the underlying cause for symptoms such as headaches, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and stress.^2,3,6,12,13

Magnesium is necessary for the production and usage of ATP in the body, which provides all of our muscles the energy needed to function. A 2006 study of a group of older adults found a correlation between adequate magnesium status and muscle function. Magnesium along with other minerals and nutrients is also necessary for maintaining proper bone mineral density.^1,4,5

Research has also been done regarding the role of magnesium in cardiovascular function. A study in which human subjects were fed a diet deficient in magnesium, but typical by Western standards for 78 days. A significant number of the subjects developed heart rhythm changes which resolved upon repletion of magnesium status. ^5,6,9

Some research has also been done that provides promising evidence that magnesium insufficiency may affect sleep duration and quality.^3,11 An experiment performed with 100 adults with poor quality sleep found that magnesium supplementation decreased signs of chronic inflammatory stress in persons whose magnesium intake was below the estimated requirement and whose serum levels suggested magnesium deficiency. The study’s results suggested that magnesium status and sleep quality are correlated, but states that further experiments are required to investigate³.

Magnesium in combination with zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids (essential fatty acids such as those in fish oil) was found to improve behavior and cognitive performance in ADD/ADHD children. The inclusion of magnesium in the formula used in that study was based on previous findings that found low serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels in children with ADHD^11.

Magnesium is commonly found in foods such as seeds, legumes (beans, lentils, soybeans etc), nuts, and greens such as kale and chard. The best-tolerated forms of magnesium are chelates, which means they are magnesium bonded to an amino acid. Other generally well-tolerated forms include magnesium citrate and aspartate, which can irritate the digestive system of sensitive individuals. The form of magnesium we recommend avoiding is Magnesium Oxide; it is poorly absorbed and altogether a waste of money.

In vivo research has found evidence of a synergistic relationship between magnesium and vitamin B6, specifically pyridoxal phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6, as is used in Magnesium Plus by Seeking Health⁸. This combination of nutrients was used in a study of 50 ADD/ADHD children and their families and showed evidence of a significant effect on behavior and function¹⁴.

The combination of Magnesium and vitamin B6 was found to dissolve and reduce recurrence of calcium oxalate kidney stones along with a restricted diet to ensure adequate but not excessive calcium intake. The long term outcome of this treatment is very promising; of 36 patients who followed this program for 5 or more years, 30 have shown little or no recurrence of kidney stones. The authors of this study also suggested that this combination may be effective for managing cholesterol levels and preventing arthersclerosis based on findings of previous animal studies¹⁵.

References:

1. Moe, Sharon. Disorders Involving Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. Prim Care. 2008 June ; 35(2): 215–vi.

2. Assadi, Farahnak. Hypomagnesemia An Evidence-Based Approach to Clinical Cases. Iran J Kidney Dis. 2010 Jan;4(1):13-9.

3. Nielsen FH, Johnson LK, Zeng H. Magnesium supplementation improves indicators of low magnesium status and inflammatory stress in adults older than 51 years with poor quality sleep. Magnes Res. 2010 Dec 1;23(4):158-68.

4. Dominguez LJ, Barbagallo M, Lauretani F, Bandinelli S, Bos A, Corsi AM, Simonsick EM, Ferrucci L. Magnesium and muscle performance in older persons: the InCHIANTI study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;84(2):419-26.

5. Killilea DW, Maier JA. A connection between magnesium deficiency and aging: new insights from cellular studies. Magnes Res. 2008 Jun;21(2):77-82.

6. Adrian M, Chanut E, Laurant P, Gaume V, Berthelot A. “A long-term moderate magnesium-deficient diet aggravates cardiovascular risks associated with aging and increases mortality in rats,” Journal of Hypertension, vol. 26 (1): Jan. 2008.

7. Walker AF, De Souza MC, Vickers MF, Abeyasekera S, Collins ML, Trinca LA. Magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention. J Womens Health. 1998 Nov;7(9):1157-65.

8. Boylan LM, Spallholz JE. “In vitro evidence for a relationship between Magnesium and Vitamin B-6,” Magnesium Research vol. 3 (2): Jun. 1990.

9. Nielsen FH, Milne DB, Klevay LM, Gallagher S, Johnson L. Dietary magnesium deficiency induces heart rhythm changes, impairs glucose tolerance, and decreases serum cholesterol in post menopausal women. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Apr;26(2):121-32.

10. Merete C, Falcon LM, Tucker KL. Vitamin B6 is associated with depressive symptomatology in Massachusetts elders. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Jun;27(3):421-7.

11. Huss M, Völp A, Stauss-Grabo M. Supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium and zinc in children seeking medical advice for attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems - an observational cohort study. Lipids Health Dis. 2010 Sep 24;9:105.

12. Szewczyk B et al. Antidepressant activity of zinc and magnesium in view of the current hypotheses of antidepressant action. Pharmacol Rep. 2008 Sep-Oct;60(5):588-9.

13. Woolhouse M. Migraine and tension headache--a complementary and alternative medicine approach. Aust Fam Physician. 2005 Aug;34(8):647-51.

14. Mousain-Bosc M, Roche M, Rapin J, Bali JP. Magnesium VitB6 intake reduces central nervous system hyperexcitability in children. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Oct;23(5):545S-548S.

15. Gershoff SN, Prien EL. Effect of daily MgO and vitamin B6 administration to patients with recurring calcium oxalate kidney stones. Am J Clin Nutr. 1967 May;20(5):393-9.

Research Resource:

Magnesium Plus Product Label

Magnesium B6a - Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones

A connection between magnesium deficiency and aging: new insights from cellular studies

Dietary Magnesium Deficiency Incudes Heart Rhythm Changes

Hypomagnesemia: An Evidence-Based Approach to Clinical Cases

Migraine and Tension Headache: A completementary and alternative medicine approach

Magnesium and muscle performance in older persons

Antidepressant activity of zinc and magnesium in view of the current hypotheses of antidepressant action

Magnesium VitB6 Intake Reduces Central Nervous System Hyperexciability in Children