Benefits of Magnesium

There’s always a lot of talk about supplements, and while some can be a healthy addition to your diet, some are more powerful (and safer) than others. My favorite is magnesium—a powerhouse supplement that brings a long list of benefits.

A healthy diet already includes magnesium, but many people don’t get as much as their body needs. When taken correctly, it helps regulate blood sugar, promotes heart health, strengthens your bones, can help with migraines and inflammation, combats depression and PMS, and is overall crucial for your brain and body. 

Magnesium deficiency is more common in people with kidney or Crohn’s disease, other digestive conditions, parathyroid problems, high alcohol consumption, older adults, and those who take certain medications for diabetes and cancer. And because many of those things are also treated by acupuncture, magnesium is the supplement I recommend most often for my patients—whether for specific ailments like that list or because it’s just a solid addition to their diet. 

How to safely add a magnesium supplement
Rule #1 when taking any supplement is to safely add it to your diet, and start slow so you see how your body reacts. Magnesium—like many supplements, and even more medications—can cause upset stomach, but introducing it slowly usually avoids any serious discomfort. 

Recommended dose: I recommend patients start with 200mg once a day. If that’s tolerated well after three days, they can increase to twice a day. And of course, if any stomach upset starts, you’ll want to go back to once a day or discontinue use. But overall, magnesium is generally tolerated well. 

Recommended types: When choosing your magnesium supplement, look for magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate (and avoid magnesium oxide, which is more likely to cause stomach upset and is less likely to be absorbed). You can find Solgar magnesium citrate at Wegmans, and Calm magnesium gummies and Doctor’s Best magnesium powder on Amazon—just make sure you buy from a reputable seller.

If you’d like help getting started, give us a call or schedule an appointment. We’ll talk about the best approach to your diet and supplement goals and put together a plan that works for you!

In health and wellness,
Julie