20 Feb Is Low Magnesium Bringing You Down?
For years, doctors and nutritionists have touted the benefits of magnesium. It is estimated that 80 percent of Americans are deficient in this vital mineral. The reason for such a high incidence of magnesium deficiency is multifaceted: Soil depletion has lowered the amount of magnesium present in our crops, digestive disorders and antibiotic use can lead to malabsorption and disruptions in the digestive tract that limit the amount of magnesium entering the bloodstream.
Jen Ramaekers, PharmD
Deficiencies in magnesium have been linked to the development of osteoporosis, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, low HDL (good cholesterol) and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is defined as having at least 3 of the following:
- Waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women
- Fasting glucose greater than 100mg/dl or currently on medication for diabetes or insulin resistance
- Triglycerides greater than 150mg/dl or currently on medication for high triglycerides
- HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dl for men or less than 50 mg/dl for women
- Blood pressure top number greater than 130 mmHg or bottom number greater than 85 mmHg or currently on medication for treatment of high blood pressure.
If you have 3 or more of the above listed characteristics, you could possibly see positive changes in all the above categories with the addition of magnesium supplementation.
Magnesium has other effects above and beyond improving metabolic syndrome. It is a relaxing mineral that has been shown to aid in anxiety, sleep disorders and possibly ADHD. It can also play a role in muscle aches and poor digestion.
It is difficult to measure magnesium since it is stored in cells and is not easily assessed in blood. Since there is not a reliable tool available now, most prescribers recommend supplementing with magnesium if you are struggling with any of the above issues.
At Redline Pharmacy we off a highly bioavailable form of magnesium in an amino acid chelate form. Each tablet delivers 200mg of elemental magnesium as a bis-glycinate/lysinate chelate. We recommended taking 1 tablet 1-2 times daily for optimal health benefit.