The current RDA, 350 mg. per day, is considered to be sufficient but there is mounting evidence that this figure is lower than optimal intake and that this low level of magnesium contributes to all of the listed degenerative diseases. Until a better way is devised to determine optimal total body magnesium (TBM) consider supplementation and watch for results.
Magnesium has been consistently depleted in our soils. It has been further depleted in plants by the use of potassium and phosphorus laden fertilizers which alter the plant's ability to uptake magnesium. Water from deep wells supplies additional magnesium not found in food, but surface water, our common source of supply, lacks magnesium. Food processing removes magnesium. Broiling, steaming and boiling remove magnesium into the water or drippings. High carbohydrate and high fat diets increase the need for magnesium as does physical and mental stress. Diuretic medications and insulin further deplete total body magnesium. As we age magnesium uptake may be impaired. Dieting reduces intake of already low levels of magnesium intake.
As you go through this list you will be amazed, as I was, at how many conditions and diseases are clinically tied to magnesium deficiency. Blood tests for magnesium deficiency are irrelevant and unusable. These levels do not reflect total body magnesium (TBM). Magnesium levels of bone and intracellular levels of magnesium are what tell the true status of TBM.
References and copies of clinical studies are available in each area covered on this page. If you need these references or studies to show your doctor let me know. You will be charged for the copies and for time and cost to prepare and send them. Doing your own research on Medline http://www4.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ will bring fruitful results. Try a search like 'magnesium and osteoporosis' or 'magnesium and sleep' or 'magnesium and anxiety or stress'.
Magnesium is a critical element in 325+ biochemical reactions in the human body.
Recent research, in France and several other European countries, gives a clue concerning the role of magnesium plays in the transmission of hormones (such as insulin, thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, etc.), neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, catecholamines, serotonin, GABA, etc.), and minerals and mineral electrolytes.
This research concludes that it is magnesium status that controls cell membrane potential and through this means controls uptake and release of many hormones, nutrients and neurotransmitters. It is magnesium that controls the fate of potassium and calcium in the body. If magnesium is insufficient potassium and calcium will be lost in the urine and calcium will be deposited in the soft tissues (kidneys, arteries, joints, brain, etc.).
Magnesium protects the cell from aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel. Evidence is mounting that low levels of magnesium contribute to the heavy metal deposition in the brain that precedes Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. It is probable that low total body magnesium contributes to heavy metal toxicity in children and is a participant in the etiology of learning disorders.
Deficiency (from low dietary intake or excess loss) is clinically associated with:
- ADD/ADHD
- Alzheimer's
- Angina
- Anxiety disorders
- Arrhythmia
- Arthritis- Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis
- Asthma
- Autism
- Auto immune disorders- all types
- Cavities
- Cerebral Palsy- in children from magnesium deficient mothers
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Congestive Heart Disease
- Constipation
- Crooked teeth- narrow jaw- in children from magnesium deficient mothers
- Depression
- Diabetes- Type I and II
- Eating disorders- Bulimia, Anorexia
- Fibromyalgia
- Gut disorders- including peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease, colitis, food allergy
- Heart Disease- Arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, high triglycerides
- Heart Disease- in infants born to magnesium deficient mothers
- High Blood Pressure
- Hypoglycemia
- Impaired athletic performance
- Infantile Seizure- in children from magnesium deficient mothers
- Insomnia
- Kidney Stones
- Lou Gehrig's Disease
- Migraines- including cluster type
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle weakness, fatigue
- Myopia- in children from magnesium deficient mothers
- Obesity- especially obesity associated with high carbohydrate diets
- Osteoporosis- just adding magnesium reversed bone loss
- Parkinson's Disease
- PMS- including menstrual pain and irregularities
- PPH- Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
- Raynaud's
- SIDS- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Stroke
- Syndrome X- insulin resistance
- Thyroid disorders- low, high and auto-immune; low magnesium reduces T4
Other conditions are also associated with chronic and acute low magnesium intake and further research is continuing to confirm relationships.
The following substances and conditions reduce total body magnesium
- Alcohol- all forms cause significant losses
- Amphetamines/Cocaine
- Burns- with large surface area
- Calcium- high levels block magnesium absorption
- Carbohydrates- especially white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour
- Chronic pain- any cause
- Coffee- significant losses
- Cyclosporin- extra magnesium can protect from side-effects
- Diabetes- magnesium spills with sugar in the urine
- Diarrhea- any cause
- Dieting- stress plus lowered intake
- Diuretics- even potassium sparing diuretics do not spare magnesium
- Insulin- whether from using insulin or from hyperinsulinemia
- Over-training- extreme athletic physical conditioning/training
- Phentermine / Fenfluramine
- Sodas- especially cola type sodas, both diet and regular
- Sodium- high salt intake
- Stress- physical and mental- anything that gets your fight or flight reaction
- Surgery
- Sweat
Research in the area of magnesium is vast. There are other conditions, diseases and drugs that alter total body magnesium. For further information see http://www.mgwater.com , check on Medline and read:
Magnesium and Man by Warren C. Wacker Harvard University Press 1980
Heart Healthy Magnesium by James B. Pierce, PhD Avery Publishing Group
The Magnesium Factor by Mildred S. Seelig, MD, MPH and Andrea Rosanoff, PhD Avery Publishing Group
Recommended Dietary Allowance
To compensate for deficiencies and/or losses the new RDA is expected to be 500 mg. per day. My Krispin-RDA is a total of 500-700 mg magnesium daily.
Determination of optimal amounts must take into consideration both body size and activity level. Magnesium is a key component of the ATP cycle in the cell which produces all energy.
Formula to Calculate Magnesium Daily Requirement- 5 to 10 milligrams per day per kilo of ideal body weight or 2.5 to 4.5 milligrams per day per pound of ideal body weight.
Example: 70 kilos or 150 pounds= 350 mg. to 700 mg. daily.
(Do not use these calculations for children. The requirements for children are calculated differently. Please consult with your health care professional for more information.)
If one or more deficiency or loss factors are a consideration or you have any of the conditions associated with low magnesium use the higher number-
| you take diuretics, including potassium sparing diuretics | you are an athlete in training |
| you are diabetic | you have hypertension |
| you are post surgical | you are under large amounts of stress |
| you consume large amounts of carbohydrates | you are repairing damaged tissue as in arthritis |
| the weather is very hot, you perspire profusely | you have any of the conditions listed above |
| you are dieting with/without medications | you are experiencing chronic pain |
| you have heart disease | you have high cholesterol or triglycerides |
EXAMPLES: 130 lb. Female, migraine headaches, insomnia, muscle tension/soreness. 130 lbs. times 4.5 milligrams equals total intake- 500-600 mg. total per day (supplement 100-200 mg. 1-3 times a day or if using a calcium supplement containing 1,000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium this may meet your need.) 88 kilo male, athlete in training, some injury with athletic performance 10 mg. equals total intake 880 mg. (100-200 mg. 3-6 times a day.)
Maximum daily intake of magnesium is probably 15 mg. per kilo of ideal body weight or 6.8 mg. per pound of body weight in rare cases, under medical supervision for short periods of time. Your body must be your guide. How do you feel? Do you have energy? Are you flexible? Do you sleep well? Are you free from degenerative disease symptoms?
Do not take more magnesium than you need. Some suggest magnesium equal to or in excess of calcium. While this may work for a few persons, in general it is too much for most. YOU must be the final authority about what is right for YOU. Listen to your body.
The medical community repletes magnesium by giving 400 mg. of oxide, sulphate or gluconate 4-6 times a day. At this level diarrhea becomes a problem and a loose stool depletes magnesium and other electrolytes quickly. Albion Labs chelated magnesium is designed to delivery magnesium without diarrhea. Even when using the Albion chelate a loose stool can still be a problem under special circumstances. You should discontinue magnesium if your stool becomes soft or un-formed.
If your stool becomes loose it does not mean you have adequate magnesium. You may need to do a series of experiments with different types, timing (with and without food; 2,3 or 4 times a day) and/or amounts (100-200 mg. per dose, try the higher first and the lower if you encounter a problem). You may need more than the daily requirement initially to get expected results.
Try to keep all doses at not more than 300-400 mg. each. 100-200 mg at a time work more efficiently. Some clients have experienced sleep difficulties when taking magnesium late in the day as magnesium can contribute to energy. If this happens to you confine your supplementation to earlier hours.
Is it worth the hassle? I am sorry if this seems too difficult. It is worth the energy. In a recent study analyzing the diet of 564 adult Americans, both male and female, the average intake of magnesium was less than two-thirds of the RDA for men and less than 50% of the RDA for women. This means that men, on average, are getting under 200 mg. magnesium daily and women get under 150 mg. per day. When you take into consideration the current RDA is less than half of the probable adequate amount of magnesium you begin to see the scope of the deficiency problem.
How to Take Magnesium and What Kind of Magnesium to Take
SPECIAL NOTE ON CALCIUM- High calcium intake may block uptake and utilization of magnesium. Current available research seems to indicate that calcium intake be twice than or equal to magnesium intake. In spite of publicized research proclaiming high calcium intake as a positive health factor, in-depth review of research shows that high calcium intake contributes to many degenerative diseases and is a health risk factor. Calcium/magnesium ratios AND sufficient trace minerals are critical. A multi-mineral such as Now Foods Full Spectrum Mineral or Country Life Target Mins Total Mins will always be a better way to get your needed additional minerals, including magnesium.
The best food sources of magnesium are chocolate, nuts, seeds, and deep, dark, leafy greens. If you regularly consume these foods you may not need extra magnesium.
Magnesium should be taken with your other supplements and/or food. Split your supplemental intake into 2 or more doses daily. Some magnesium supplements can be energizing and in some persons may have a negative impact on getting to sleep and staying asleep when taken near bedtime. If taken in the correct dose and early enough in the day magnesium often corrects insomnia. Taking magnesium late in the day is not a problem if it does not adversely affect your sleep.
Magnesium is available in chelated (bound to) combinations such as alpha-ketogluconate, aspartate, glycinate, lysinate, orotate, taurate and others. Inorganic or ionic magnesiums include sulphate, oxide, citrate, carbonate, bicarbonate and chloride. Some supplement companies make so-called chelated magnesiums but the chelate (bound to) is partial and the raw material contains some percentage of ionized, unbound or inorganic magnesium. Ionized magnesium may cause diarrhea in many users and, therefore, not correct a cellular magnesium deficiency. Diarrhea, or soft stools, caused by any form of magnesium can make a magnesium deficiency worse.
Albion Laboratories mineral chelates are the preferred source for daily supplemental use. They include glycinate, lysinate and amino acid chelate. I do not work for Albion nor do I sell products (theirs or anyone's). Through hands-on experience I have come to the conclusion that the Albion chelation assures no free, unbound material in the mix. This greatly lessens the possible absorption problems associated with magnesium supplementation and strongly enhances cellular uptake..
Currently I consider Albion patented magnesium chelates as the only reliable sources to replete magnesium. Look for the Albion license patent on the label. Make sure the entire tablet or capsule is Albion chelate and not a combination mixed with other (ionized) magnesium sources.
The following brands have been used with good effect: Douglas Labs Amino Mag 200 from vitaminshoppe.com, one tablet once or twice a day, or Solgar Chelated Magnesium, 100 mg. per tablet, one or two twice a day, or J.R. Carlson Chelated Magnesium, 200 mg. per tablet, once or twice a day. Albion amino acid chelates can be bought at health food stores in Canada under the Trophic label.
Please Note: I have no association with nor do I benefit from the sources I suggest. (Not even a personal discount on products.) I suggest them because in my research and experience these are what work.
The Solgar and J.R. Carlson brands should be available from your local health food store. All of these brands are available from vitaminshoppe.com or Needs 1-800-634-1380, and in the Bay Area Vitamin Express 1-800-500-0733.
PLEASE NOTE: These supplement suggestions are totals so when calculating your total daily intake from all sources make sure to include your daily multiple vitamin and multiple mineral as well as food intake. In certain programs, under the care of a health professional, the amounts needed will be at the higher end of average- such as nursing mothers, persons with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia and professional athletics.
You must decide what kind and what level of magnesium works for you.
Basic Guidelines
- Use the formula to work out your daily supplement goal.
- Use Albion Laboratories magnesium chelates- bisglycinate, lysinate or amino acid chelate.
- Divide the dose between breakfast and lunch and snack. (Divide into 3-4 daily doses.)
- Do not take your last dose of magnesium later than 5 PM. (This may be not be a problem for some.)
- Do get a minimum daily supplement level of 200-400 mg. (Divide the dose.)
- Do not take more than 300-400 mg. of an Albion chelate at one time.
- If your bowel changes significantly, make sure you are using an Albion chelate; temporarily reduce your dose and build up gradually; take a smaller amount of magnesium at one time.
Be patient as many systems, muscles, bone, immune system, nerve system and brain, will begin to change with magnesium supplementation. Depending on your current condition it may take six months for you to see all of the positive changes.
REALLY IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT MEDICATIONS AND PSYCHO-ACTIVE HERBS: Cellular magnesium repletion will alter your need for l-tryptophan, melatonin, St. John's Wort, anti-depressants, sleep medications, cholesterol lowering drugs, thyroid medication, insulin, diabetic drugs, anti-hypertensives, diuretics and other medications. If you are taking any of the above please make sure to check with your physician as you will need to monitor and reduce or eliminate these medications.
All of the above information is founded in clinical research studies. Many of these studies are linked at http://www.mgwater.com
This document may be copied and distributed with the copyright and my personal information intact. © Krispin Sullivan, CN 1997
Last modified on: 01/13/07 .
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