Researchers hypothesize that magnesium may relax the central nervous system and cause chemical reactions. View Source in the body that increase sleepiness. Studies suggest that magnesium supplements might help to reverse age-related changes in sleep often seen in older adults.
So, magnesium is safe to take for sleep? In essence, yes. A good, moderate dose of magnesium is about 100 to 350 milligrams daily, says Dr. Winter. That dose should be void of any side effects.
Some studies have found that magnesium supplements can: Make it easier to fall asleep. Improve sleep quality. Reduce symptoms of restless legs syndrome, which can interfere with a good night's sleep.
How long does it take for magnesium to work for sleep? The benefits of magnesium are often associated with long-term use, so it's important to take your supplement consistently. We recommend daily use for at least three months to see the full effects on sleep.
Recommendations for the proper dosage of magnesium to take before bed vary, and they are often slightly higher for men than women. For the most part, something in the range of 200-350 milligrams is the suggested amount.
You can also try magnesium supplements to improve sleep, Dimitriu says. The recommended supplement dose is between 270 mg to 350 mg for men and 280 mg to 300 mg for women.
The benefits of magnesium supplementation in healthy individuals aren't clear, but Dr. Nassar says that taking a magnesium supplement every day likely isn't unsafe for most people. Just be sure you're not taking too much magnesium. The maximum dietary allowance for most adults is around 400 mg or less.
Magnesium is important for maintaining muscle and nervous system function, cardiac electrical properties, and for supporting immune system as well as regulating glucose and insulin metabolism [2,3].
Melatonin vs Magnesium for Sleep
Magnesium helps regulate muscle relaxation, hormone production, inflammation levels, and energy metabolism, all contributing to better sleep quality. Meanwhile, melatonin helps reset your internal body clock, so you can fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for extended periods.
High doses of magnesium from supplements or medications can cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. In addition, the magnesium in supplements can interact with some types of antibiotics and other medicines.
Medical research has linked magnesium to reduced anxiety. Magnesium helps you to relax by stimulating the production of melatonin and serotonin which boost your mood and help you sleep. Magnesium also reduces the production of cytokines and cortisol, which lead to increased inflammation and stress.
In addition to those health benefits, magnesium can also aid in weight management. A 2013 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that higher magnesium intake was associated with lower levels of fasting glucose and insulin (markers related to fat and weight gain).
Magnesium glycinate is considered to be the most effective type of magnesium for bettering sleep, as it may help relax both the nervous system and your muscles. This product doesn't include any other added ingredients and is suitable for those seeking a supplement for both sleep and general use.
Magnesium helps to promote healthy hair growth in several ways: Promotes Healthy Hair Follicles: Magnesium helps to stimulate the growth and development of hair follicles, which are the structures that produce hair. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to impaired hair follicle growth and weaker, thinner hair.
Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation [1-3].
Magnesium helps to ensure your skin is armoured against external damage as it regulates cellular regeneration and repair. Everyday your skin is under attack from free radicals. This is one of the most important magnesium benefits for skin and hair because it actively helps your skin in terms of protection and recovery.
Magnesium supplements can cause nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. Magnesium supplements often cause softening of stool. Interactions. Magnesium supplements may interact with certain medicines, including diuretics, heart medicines, or antibiotics.
When taken in very large amounts (greater than 350 mg daily), magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large doses might cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing serious side effects including an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and death.
Magnesium glycinate, which combines the mineral with the amino acid glycine, is the most popular and well-researched combination for treating sleep disorders and helping to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.
Can you take too much magnesium? High magnesium levels (hypermagnesemia) can result from taking too many magnesium supplements. It can lead to lethargy, gastrointestinal symptoms, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest.
The association between magnesium and depression has been observed in several studies. Some studies have found promising effects of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression. A 2017 study found that magnesium supplements improved symptoms of depression in adults.