Yes, magnesium significantly affects the brain by supporting nerve function, cognitive health (learning, memory), mood regulation (anxiety, depression), and protecting against neurological damage, with deficiency linked to issues like migraines, insomnia, and neurodegenerative risks, while adequate intake promotes brain volume and function. It helps calm nerve activity, maintains healthy brain structure, and reduces inflammation, making it crucial for overall neurological wellness.
This study demonstrated that this form of magnesium could reverse certain aspects of brain aging and improve synaptic density, suggesting that magnesium has promising implications for delaying and treating cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases (59).
Risks of Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium supplements can cause nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Additionally, this mineral often cause softening of stool. Magnesium interactions: Magnesium may not be safe for individuals taking diuretics, heart medications, or antibiotics.
Yes, magnesium can significantly help with sleep during pregnancy by calming the nervous system, relaxing muscles (reducing cramps/restless legs), supporting sleep hormones like melatonin, and easing anxiety, leading to deeper, more restful sleep, but always consult your doctor before starting supplements. It's often recommended in forms like magnesium glycinate, and can be obtained from foods (leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains) or supplements, though professional guidance is key for dosage.
Magnesium can indeed be helpful in managing acid reflux, mainly because it helps to reduce stomach acid production and also acts as a muscle relaxant, which can help to prevent the muscle contractions that propel stomach acid into the esophagus.
Magnesium can lower the absorption of certain antibiotics and antiviral medications, bisphosphonates, and gabapentin (Neurontin). Certain diuretics, long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, and high doses of zinc can lower magnesium levels in the body.
Common supplements that rev up reflux include:
It turns out that magnesium can bind to and either activate or dampen important neurological receptors in our body which have a role to play in sleep. Fluctuating levels of magnesium in the body can also impact how much hormones we produce, like melatonin (the sleep hormone) and cortisol (the stress hormone).
Magnesium is a common and effective remedy for constipation. It's available over the counter in several forms, including liquid, capsule, and powder. If your bowel movements are infrequent or difficult, magnesium could help. You may have to try different types to see what works best for you.
Bananas are the richest fruit in magnesium. If eaten dried, its magnesium content is higher. More generally, dried fruits such as figs, dates and apricots are an important source of magnesium. Recipe idea: Try a banana-spinach smoothie.
Imtiaz: Taking magnesium can be harmful if you're not deficient. The most common side effect is diarrhea, especially from poorly absorbed magnesium, such as magnesium oxide.
Taking amounts of 5,000 mg per day can result in magnesium toxicity. 1 This might happen by taking a very large dose of laxatives or antacids that contain magnesium. Toxicity can produce severe symptoms, including low blood pressure, weakness, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and death.
A magnesium deficiency specifically is a commonly overlooked cause. Without sufficient magnesium, the brain struggles to perform critical functions, leading to the mental fatigue we often label as brain fog.
The researchers then divided participants into five groups based on their blood magnesium levels. They found that those with the highest and lowest levels of magnesium were, respectively, 30% and 32% more likely to develop dementia compared to the group with average magnesium levels.
While all forms of magnesium have their benefits, magnesium L-threonate is the most effective for brain health. Its unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and directly impact cognitive function sets it apart from other forms of magnesium.
Foods high in magnesium are leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. A doctor can check your magnesium levels by a blood or urine (pee) test. If you have low magnesium levels, your doctor may recommend taking a supplement.
Taking them together is safe and may even enhance absorption and effectiveness when included as part of a balanced daily routine. B12 supports red blood cell formation and cognitive health, while magnesium contributes to relaxation, bone strength, and metabolic processes.
An essential mineral involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body, magnesium helps convert food into energy, supports muscle and nerve function, and helps regulate blood pressure and maintain brain health.
Magnesium also plays a vital role in brain health, including stress and anxiety. By blocking stimulating neurotransmitters and binding to calm, restful receptors in the brain, magnesium can help us relax.
Waking up in the middle of the night is called insomnia, and it's a common problem. Mid-sleep awakenings often happen during periods of stress. Sleep aids that you can buy without a prescription rarely offer effective or long-term help for this problem.
Up-to-Date
Magnesium can help you sleep longer, get better quality sleep, and feel less tired. Experts recommend taking no more than 350 milligrams of magnesium for sleep. Magnesium can be found in foods like nuts, leafy greens, whole grains, dairy, and soy products.
Taking too much vitamin D leads to calcium buildup (hypercalcemia), causing physical signs like nausea/vomiting, fatigue/weakness, frequent urination & excessive thirst, constipation, and confusion/disorientation, alongside potential bone pain or kidney stones, often from supplements, not sun exposure.
A good breakfast for acid reflux includes low-acid, high-fiber, and low-fat options. Foods like oatmeal, whole-grain toast, non-citrus fruits (bananas, apples, melons), and lean proteins (scrambled egg whites, turkey) are excellent choices. Avoid acidic drinks like orange juice and opt for herbal tea or water instead.
Guaifenesin is used to help clear mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem) from the chest when you have congestion from a cold or flu. It works by thinning the mucus or phlegm in the lungs. This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.