Magnesium glycinate is a supplement used to treat magnesium deficiencies. Usually, magnesium supplements come in the form of citrates or oxides, but the magnesium glycinate formulation binds the magnesium to glycine, an essential amino acid. According to "Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function," Glycinate also makes magnesium more easily absorbed by your body. In addition to treating magnesium deficiencies, magnesium supplements can also help support cardiac and muscle. As with any magnesium supplement, you should speak with your doctor before taking magnesium glycinate.
Importance of Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important elements found in your body. A magnesium deficiency can affect your neuromuscular system causing weakness, muscle stiffness and arrhythmias. Additionally, magnesium aids in the adequate function of many enzymes. Further, your body requires magnesium for numerous chemical reactions.
Magnesium Supplementation
According to "Magnesium Miracle," magnesium supplementation can help treat several medical conditions including muscle spasms, anxiety, kidney stones, brittle bones, diabetes, thyroid failure, premenstrual tension, strokes, constipation, asthma, chronic eyelid twitching and chronic migraines. Speak with your physician, however, before using a magnesium supplement to treat any specific medical condition. Your body will have an easier time absorbing magnesium glycinate than many other forms of magnesium. Additionally, magnesium glycinate is easier on your bowel and typically will not cause diarrhea or constipation.
Magnesium Glycinate and Depression
According to "The Magnesium Miracle" by Carolyn Dean, magnesium deficiency can lead to depression. Although further clinical research is needed to confirm the affects of a magnesium deficiency on depression, depressed patients often present with elevated calcium and lower magnesium levels. In some cases, by treating this depression with magnesium supplementation, you can help to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the depression.
Dose and Side Effects
Magnesium plays an important role in your overall health. Many individuals, however, have magnesium deficiencies that require supplementation. The recommended daily dose for supplementation with magnesium glycinate is 400 to 600 mg. The primary side effect associated with the use of magnesium glycinate is gastrointestinal problems such as an upset stomach or diarrhea. Supplementation with magnesium glycinate, however, decreases the likelihood of experiencing these side effects.
References
- "Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function"; Arthur Vander et al; 1998
- "The Magnesium Miracle"; Carolyn Dean; 2006
- "Solve It with Supplements: The Best Herbal and Nutritional Supplements to Help Prevent and Heal More than 100 Common Health Problems"; Robert Schulman and Carolyn Dean; 2006
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