Magnesium, an essential nutrient, is involved in more than 300 processes that help maintain optimal health. Though it is one of the most prevalent minerals in the body, magnesium deficiency is common, possibly because of soil depletion, according to an article in the July 2009 issue of "American Family Physician." Magnesium deficiency occurs in up to 65 percent of hospital patients in intensive care. Magnesium may offer pain relief in some conditions. Consult your doctor about taking magnesium to treat a medical condition.
Migraine
Magnesium may alleviate migraine headache pain, says Michael Weintraub, author of the book "Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Pain Management." Magnesium may work by relaxing the muscles that line arteries, thereby preventing constriction of blood vessels and decreased blood supply to the brain. When used intravenously at the onset of a migraine attack, as much as 50 percent relief has been reported in some patients. Those with greater magnesium deficiencies or lower starting levels of magnesium have been found to respond better to treatment than migraine patients with normal magnesium levels.
Menstrual Pain
Magnesium is effective at relieving menstrual pain, allowing the use of less medication, according to Brenda C. McClain, M.D., editor of the book "Handbook of Pediatric Chronic Pain: Current Science and Integrative Practice." A study published in the July 2009 issue of the journal "American Family Physician" found that magnesium is helpful for relieving menstrual pain and leg cramps in pregnant women.
Dietary Sources
Vegetables, legumes and grains, including brown rice, barley and oats, are good dietary sources of magnesium. Also green vegetables and dried figs provide substantial quantities of this mineral. Ideal daily intake for magnesium is 400 mg to 700 mg per day, approximately twice the minimum recommended daily allowance to prevent deficiency diseases, says Neal Barnard, author of the book "Foods That Fight Pain: Revolutionary New Strategies for Maximum Pain Relief." While you can also obtain substantial quantities of magnesium from nuts, wheat, soybeans and some other beans, these foods are common migraine triggers and should be avoided if you experience migraines, says Barnard.
Side Effects
High doses of magnesium may cause diarrhea. Forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride, are more likely to cause diarrhea than magnesium citrate or magnesium aspartate. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys, so people with kidney disease should be cautious about using this mineral. Consult your doctor for proper dosage advice.
References
- "Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Pain Management"; Michael I. Weintraub; 2008
- "American Family Physician"; Therapeutic Uses of Magnesium; M. Guerrera, et al.; July 2009
- "Handbook of Pediatric Chronic Pain: Current Science and Integrative Practice"; Brenda C. McClain; 2011
- "Foods That Fight Pain: Revolutionary New Strategies for Maximum Pain Relief"; Neal D. Barnard; 1999
