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)
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magnesium inhibits alpha-synuclein aggregation in PD cells test tube
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.
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."
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Thanks for the info. Magnesium it is a must for a good health.
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
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?
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?
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.
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.
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