Improve Your Health with the Best Magnesium

Magnesium Supplement Buyer's Guide

Before you rush to buy magnesium, there are a few things you have to consider to make the most out of it. Here are some vital tips that should help out in this regard.

Note: The information found on this page is for entertainment purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have health-related questions, we recommend consulting your doctor or health care professional.

What is magnesium?

We all need magnesium to live a healthy life. Magnesium is involved in different functions of our body, affecting our muscles, bones, brain, and heart. Magnesium primarily exists in our body in our red blood cells and serum, and it is one of the most prominent minerals on earth. Supplementary magnesium can be found in capsule and tablet forms, even though you may find some in lotions or powdered drink mixes. Magnesium is known for its ability to cut down stress, lower blood pressure, and boost sleep quality.

What are the types of magnesium?

There are several different magnesium types out there, and magnesium supplements often feature a blend to help support muscle, bone, brain, and heart health. But note that different types of magnesium come with their unique health benefits.

Magnesium citrate

This ranks as one of the most common supplements of magnesium out there. This supplement is known for its support for the digestive system and easy absorption. Also, it comes with a laxative effect which makes it ideal for handling constipation.

Magnesium glycinate

This supplement comes with better rates of absorption, and it helps enhance the calming effect of magnesium, thus helping you sleep better; if you have sleep issues, this is considered the best magnesium for treating it. Also, if you are sensitive to citrate or oxide, this form is potentially better for you because it is easier to digest and does not have laxative effects.

Magnesium oxide

This supplement helps handle heartburn, although it is more complex to absorb than other magnesium types. Due to this reason, it is not common among supplements. It, however, gives the highest magnesium concentration levels making it the best choice for those looking to reduce the number of capsules they use.

Magnesium chloride

You will find this in magnesium lotions and oil because it gives the best solution for skin issues like acne and eczema. Even though it helps promote sleep, it can also lead to diarrhea.

Magnesium sulfate

Also known as Epsom salts, this type is added to baths to handle pains and muscle aches while also providing a laxative effect when taken orally.

Things to consider before you buy magnesium

Here are a few things you should know before you buy magnesium.

Ingredients

As far as supplements are concerned, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You need to carefully check all of the ingredients of the supplement before buying. Also, be careful about the possible allergens and check in with your health care provider if you aren't exactly sure about the ingredients contained in the product.

Certifications

Before you buy, ensure you look for certifications from third parting testing companies with a solid reputation. Such organizations perform in-depth testing, and when the product passes such tests, they are given a seal of quality assurance. Such a seal will show if the product is properly manufactured and contains the ingredients claimed on the label, and do not have harmful contaminants.

Contraindications

Before you buy a supplement, you should consult a healthcare expert. Note that just because most supplements are derived from natural sources doesn't mean they won't be powerful. You should begin taking each supplement with the lowest dosage to look out for any unwanted changes and see if they can be tolerated.

Brand reputation

One very important criterion you must never ignore is brand quality and reputation. Ensure you only buy from brands with positive reviews from previous buyers.

How much magnesium do you need to sleep?

Taking a daily dose of magnesium can help regulate your nervous system while cutting down the irritability, stress, and sleep issues connected to deficiency of magnesium. Because we get a lot of magnesium from food and there are not many research findings on how effective magnesium is for insomnia, there is no established dosage guideline for treating insomnia.

It is recommended, however, that magnesium levels not exceeding 350 mg should be used for females and males who are at least nine years old. Children aged between 4 and 8 years should take magnesium supplements up to 110 mg.

Guide to using magnesium safely

Before you start using magnesium, take note of the following:

Consult your doctor

Before you use magnesium, you should seek your doctor for advice as they will be able to tell you the best dosage based on your medical history. They may also advise you on the changes to your lifestyle that can boost your magnesium intake naturally.

Avoid mixing magnesium with other meds

Supplements of magnesium can lead to side effects and affect the efficiency of the drugs. If you are using medications for other health conditions, you need to consult your doctor first.

Focus on magnesium intake

You should be careful about the dosage of magnesium you take. Make sure you closely review the quantity of magnesium in each serving to not exceed the limit.

Start with a small dosage

If you consume more magnesium than you need, it could cause diarrhea or cramping, which is why you should begin with the lowest dose and increase it from there.

Sleep properly

If you are taking magnesium for better sleep, there are certain changes you need to make in your lifestyle that can cut down the need for a supplement. You should begin adopting a proper sleep schedule as well.

Final thoughts

Magnesium has several health benefits if used properly. But you should know that there are different supplements out there each designed to solve certain deficiencies. The products outlined in this guide are among the best out there and you can never go wrong choosing any of them!

Magnesium FAQ

Q. When should I take magnesium?

A. The best time to take magnesium supplements is in the evening because of their laxative effect. Magnesium supplements are made to serve as sleep support and cut down anxiety but note that they may interfere with certain drugs like antibiotics and levothyroxine.

Q. How can magnesium improve my sleep?

A. How magnesium boosts sleep is not properly understood yet. One way to look at it is that magnesium is an agonist of GAMA which functions as a neurotransmitter.

Q. Is it safe to use magnesium for sleeping?

A. Yes, although this depends on you adhering to safe doses. If you do not follow the prescribed doses, you may suffer from nausea, diarrhea, and cramping.