What Is Magnesium Taurate Good For?

Magnesium taurate is a complex of magnesium and taurine that people take for various health benefits. Magnesium is a mineral and taurine is an amino acid. Magnesium taurate combines with water and separates into magnesium ions and taurine inside the body. Magnesium and taurine have similar effects on some areas of health.

Function

Magnesium maintains the function of muscles, nerves, the heart and the immune system. It influences blood pressure, heart function, bone health, energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Taurine maintains fluid balance, works as an antioxidant and aids eye and brain development. Both magnesium and taurine help regulate blood sugar.

Migraine Prevention

Magnesium taurate may help prevent migraines because of actions of both magnesium and taurine, according to a 1996 article published by M.F. McCarty in "Medical Hypothesis." The researchers also pointed out the safety and lack of side effects when using magnesium taurate.

Mental Health

Magnesium and taurine both may help reduce anxiety. When administered taurine, rats faced with stressful situations show decreased anxiety-related behavior, according to a a 2006 study published by W.X. Kong and colleagues in "Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior." Magnesium deficiency may lead to increases in anxiety-related behavior in mice according to a 2004 study published by Nicolas Singewald and colleagues in "Neuropharmacology." Magnesium taurate may also be able to treat depression according to a study published by Richard H. Cox and colleagues at Oasis Advanced Wellness.

Heart Health

Magnesium taurate has been suggested as a possible treatment for heart disease and pre-eclampsia, a condition that occurs during pregnancy and is marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in urine. Both magnesium and taurine lower blood pressure and may prevent cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, arrhythmias and blood clotting, according to a 1996 article published by M.F. McCarty in "Medical Hypothesis."

Recommendations

Many people in the United States do not get enough magnesium, but according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is rare to be truly deficient. Certain medical conditions and too much coffee, soda, salt or alcohol can deplete magnesium, however. Men ages 19 to 30 need 400mg a day while men over age 30 need 420mg a day. Women ages 19 to 30 need 310mg a day while women over age 30 need 320mg a day. The Institute of Medicine recommends getting no more than 350mg from a supplement.