Low Magnesium and PD

[zawy]

This is a summary of every article in Pubmed with a direction connection between magnesium and parkinsion's. Seems like one of the most important nutrients that the general population is supposed to be low on.

magnesium (MG)

==========

magnesium inhibits alpha-synuclein aggregation in PD cells test tube

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/118...

3 times fewer PD cases in Japanese with high magnesium

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/214...

intracellular Mg protection in PD cells test tube

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/263...

magnesium deficient mice are susceptible to developing PD

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/197...

manganese (not magnesium) inhibits Mg ability to catalyze LRRK2-mediated phosphorylation of tau. PD in test tube. Relevant to explaining manganese (not Magnesium) toxicity and a certain familial (gene mutation) cause of PD.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/261...

low magnesium, phosphorous, and folate associated with PD and loss of smell. More carbs and fewer PUFAs associated with PD. 87 human patients.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/215...

Mg deficiency causes parkinsoniasm? (Russian paper)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/185...

Mg concentration of 4.0 mM completely prevented any decrease in the number of dopaminergic neurons due to MPP toxicity in test tube cells. "This is the first report to document a significant and striking effect of Mg for prevention of neurite and neuron pathology, and also amelioration of neurite pathology in a PD model."

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/182...

Mg higher in PD patients' blood, but lower in CSF based on severity and duration of PD

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/167...

Magnesium and PD connection first discovered in 1962. In 28 PD, delirium tremors, and familial tremors, patients not taking PD medication Mg was 50% higher in blood than in normal population than in

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Only lower Mg caudate nucleus and lower copper in SN were noted in PD patient post mortem brains out of 24 metals tested.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/276...

Mg protects against Al and Cd toxicity in PD

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/186...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/147...

"Magnesium deficiency cannot result in neurodegenerative disease." (??)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/951...

proton pump inhibitors to reduce gastric acid can lead to reduced magnesium and lead to Parkinson's

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/261...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/222...

[soup]

Thank you for all the work this represents. I hope that there will be more than just me reading through this literature because it will be an excellent discussion point.

[Hidden in reply to soup]

You are not alone, soup ......

[Hidden]

Is there any indication that taking Magnesium after diagnosed with PD helps with symptoms at all? Seems like it is indicated as a necessity for preventing disease. I have taken several types of Magnesium before being diagnosed two years ago, specifically as a supplement to help with RLS and poor sleep.

No noticeable benefit.

[Jupeter]

I embarked on a course of Magnesium and Vitamin B6 2 months ago - no noticeable effects so far. My symptoms are all over the place, never the same day by day, so any effect might be difficult to discern. My RLS is dealt with by Ropinirole and I am not disposed to drop that in case the Mag doesn't work.

[Dap1948]

A note of caution. I was under a doctor who was 'an expert on magnesium'. She had me take magnesium in higher and higher doses till the problems I was taking it for - cramp, tremor, anxiety - became ten times worse. Normally you'll cause diarrhoea if you take too much, but be aware that magnesium taken in excess can exacerbate symptoms.

[Bitsy in reply to Dap1948]

Hi Dap 1948, what levels of magnesium are you talking about I would really appreciate knowing? Cheers

[Dap1948 in reply to Bitsy]

You need a red cell magnesium blood test. Not serum blood test. The blood grabs the magnesium first so tends to always look reasonable even if muscles, bones etc are depleted. 'Normal' red cell magnesium is between 5.1 - 7.30 mg/dl (2.1 - 3.00 mmol/L). Some experts in magnesium say it should be 6.00-6.5 mg/dL. With a lot of supplements I've got mine up from 4.6 to 5.28!

[Bitsy in reply to Dap1948]

Excellent thank you!

[zawy]

I edited the original post to clarify each article better.

It's been known a long time that the general population is low on Mg. No, there is nothing to directly prove that taking it will stop PD from progressing, let alone make symptoms better. Symptoms are the result of past damage that are not easily repaired. However, giving the weak proof of ANY pill stopping or slowing PD, these articles indicate (to me) that magnesium should be near the top of any pill list, even if zero benefits are noticed: I do not expect it to improve symptoms, only to possibly help. So far I can point only to green tea extract, caffeine, L-DOPA, rasagiline, and nicotine as having better chances of helping, but there are a lot of other pills I am looking into. Before I have an interest, a nutrient must at least show a strong benefit in animals and reach the brain in humans. Known epidemiological benefit is good. "Non-pill" things like a heavy dose omega 3 fats, exercise, and higher oxygen intake during night "reach the brain" and have been shown to help directly in humans.

I would not take more than 400 mg three times a day, which is 3x the RDA, because of the problems DAP mentions, and not all at once. And reduce the amount if diarrhea is present when taken with food. I expect more problems on an empty stomach. But if constipation is a problem, then it could help with that by maybe 800 mg on an empty stomach, with the knowledge the results may not be fun even if effective. And keep in mind DAP experienced a worsening of tremors, which is interesting because it is taken to reduce tremors in non-PD conditions.

[Bitsy in reply to zawy]

What non-PD conditions are you referring to?

Thanks Zawy.

[zawy in reply to Bitsy]

I take the recommended adult dose, 400 mg, with food to prevent diarrhea.

[zawy in reply to Bitsy]

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) the others mentioned and maybe essential tremor. I posted 5 months ago, so I might have had something else in mind that I have since forgotten.

[rustjudge]

Which "type" of magnesium should one use--oratate ,citrate, nitrate, glycinate. malate-------or what?

[zawy in reply to rustjudge]

Citrate is good. Oxide is not absorbed. I hope those reporting negative results for their RLS (restless leg syndrome) were not using the oxide form.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/145...

[JWebb994]

I started taking magnesium after noticing that I was helped by using Epsom salts to reduce the stiffness in my leg muscles. Don't know much about it. I'll see if it helps anything. I was told by a friend that it was good for her restless leg.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the info. Magnesium it is a must for a good health.

[Maha-Hass]

My mother started taking since two weeks Magnesuim and potassium dissolved in water once daily and she suffers less from cramps and tremors , I think the supplements has a good effect on her movement too

[laglag]

I've attached an article I read recently that talks about Magnesium. On the list of nutrient deficiencies, Magnesium is #4.

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

[earthdweller]

I know this is a bit of an old post, but is taking magnesium transdermally, (by spraying it on your skin), as good as consuming it in supplement form? I'm prone to stomach problems and it always gives me diarrhea. On my skin it seems ok. (Although it makes me feel a bit dehydrated). How much would I need to put on my skin to get the daily requirement?

[zawy in reply to earthdweller]

I do not think transdermally will work.

[earthdweller in reply to zawy]

Why not zawy? It is absorbed through the skin. Or do you mean that you wouldn't be able to absorb enough of it that way?

[zawy in reply to earthdweller]

That was my belief. I see they are saying the magnesium in epsom salt will absorb, but they are talking about taking a bath in it. I see a few studies were using it dermally for specific conditions, one for fibromyalgia, for for a penile problem, and maybe a couple others. I just couldn't find any research where it is recommended or in common research use. There might be plenty of companies selling it, but I was not able to determine if it gets in the blood in high doses through the skin. So as far as I can see, orally supplements are the only tried and true method. Why not use supplements? What's the advertised reason for using transdermal?

[earthdweller in reply to zawy]

My stomach seems to be very sensitive to lots of vitamins and supplements, and whenever I've tried to take magnesium tablets it affects me badly. I know taking them with food is supposed to help this, maybe I should take better care of when I take them, but I'm nervous to try them again.

[zawy in reply to earthdweller]

Magnesium can cause diarrhea if taken by itself. I can't take more than 1/2 the recommended dose on an empty stomach without feeling a little out of sorts.