Magnesium

[foley]

After some exhaustive research I've decided to switch our Multivitamin and Mineral supplement to a higher quality one, (1 + Multi Mineral by Pioneer) and also to add a magnesium supplement--my ds already takes a high quality biologically active omega supplement.

We are very cautious in this house about adding things--no problem with eliminating things *lol*--but adding takes us approx. one year at a time ;-)

Do any of you use Magnesium Glycinate? It's my understanding that this form is the easiest to absorb by the body, easy on the stomach, and because the body can efficiently absorb it smaller doses are needed on a daily basis to see the benefits.

I would love to hear some feedback on your magnesium experience. We are not adding it to reduce hyperactivity--we're adding it to reduce his anxiety, and hoping for basically optimal brain cell function (utilizing antioxidents, firing of synapses, and optimum efficiency of his omega oil).

I've read conflicting things about the best time to give it--some articles say it helps sleep, and others caution that it can hinder sleep.

I'm also curious as to when can we expect to see benefits?

Any feedback on this would be great help.

TIA
Foley

[catatonic]

I don't know if you've tried the simple, accurate Cvostek test for magnesium test yet, but I'd advise doing that so that you know if you're simply supplementing for general nutritional purposes, or whether you're trying to correct a deficiency. It makes a difference to dosing.

The Cvostek test is impossible to fake. With your child sitting in an upright, relaxed position, tap the hollow of the cheek with your fingertip. Tap halfway between the corner of the mouth and the earlobe, and don't hit teeth. If the upper lip beneath the nose twitches or jumps, then there is magnesium deficiency.

When I originally did this test on my family, we came up with 3 deficient, 3 not. Of the deficient ones, one had a deficiency that was corrected very quickly (about a month). One took more than twice as long, and I had to switch to several forms of magnesium before I found one that worked. My ADHD boy is still testing deficient after 6 months, although it is a less severe deficiency. We've tried several types of supplement and are having to use higher than the recommended dose for his weight.

Magnesium oxide is the most widely available type of supplement. It's cheapest and easiest on the stomach. If you try it for a month and it works, great! Otherwise, you may have to go to a more easily absorbed variety.

Chewable supplements are normally a magnesium citrate, and they tend to be quite upsetting to the digestion. They even give me loose bowels and I have the original cast-iron gut.

What we've had success with is a Source Naturals supplement called "Ultra Mag" that contains several different forms of magnesium in a 400mg tablet. It's a good compromise between price, bio-availability, and stomach comfort.

Like everything else, you'll probably end up having to experiment before you find what works best for you. At least with most magnesium pills, you won't have to worry about artificial colors or flavors. Watch it if you go for a chewable or powdered form, though.

[foley]

Thanks Cat,

We've done the test on several occasions and his lip does not twitch. I want to use it as a supplement anyway, and to see if it will reduce his anxiety levels, among other things.

Right now he's taking 120mg of the Magnesium Glycinate and is getting 50mg of Magnesium (2:1 ascorbate:aspartate) from the multi.

I think I might start taking it myself, but I have to check with my lactation consultant first--since I'm still nursing the baby.

Thanks again for your response!
Foley