Do we need Magnesium

[Kay60]

Magnesium tablet ? should we have them i have just read on another post that it helped with stiffness ?

I also take Thyroxine and Amitriptyline

[polkadotcom]

Magnesium is good if you get cramp, too. It also helps calcium to absorb. I've been taking it for some years now and I am on the same meds, plus more.

[Kay60 in reply to polkadotcom]

where do i get them from and are some makes better than others ?

[HeronNS]

Yes, especially if, as most of us are, you are taking extra calcium. May be a good idea to take a dose of magnesium at a separate time from the calcium. Also I understand it's quite readily absorbed through the skin, hence the usefulness of Epsom salt in the bath. Funnily enough my son and I were talking about fertilizing the garden and we've discovered that sometimes plants need magnesium, too, and often the best way to feed it to them is through a solution sprayed on the foliage - if there's too much calcium in their soil! So the plants are like us.☺🌿

[Anna135 in reply to HeronNS]

Why do you say it might be a good idea to take the magnesium and calcium separately? I always take them together, but I'll stop that if it's not the right way to do it..

[HeronNS in reply to Anna135]

Hi Anna. The book I've been reading says that if we already have a high amount of calcium in our bloodstream then taking more calcium with the magnesium makes it very hard for the magnesium to be absorbed. I don't think it's a hard and fast rule, but as I happen to know I've had a high Vitamin D reading which might also mean high calcium, it's better for me to take a dose of magnesium separately. Better safe than sorry. It will do no harm, and should help me. Also we can readily absorb magnesium through our skin, so Epsom salt soaks, apparently even a foot bath, can be helpful, and there is a variety of magnesium supplement designed to be used on the skin, but I haven't found it yet. It's possible to overdose on magnesium, but apparently relatively harmless as we just get the runs and get rid of it!

As many supplements include both I can only assume that for a normal person (and just now in this aspect I can't count myself as normal) it should be okay to take them together. Thing is, without all the relevant blood tests we don't know for sure, and I don't know if even blood tests can tell us the whole story. Like some others what I do is have my calcium supplement at evening meal, and magnesium closer to bedtime. I used to take calcium more frequently but have cut back because of this weird Vitamin D issue, and relying more on dietary calcium, which is better idea anyway.

[Anna135 in reply to HeronNS]

Fair enough. Thank you very much for that information.

[Sandy1947 in reply to HeronNS]

I don't take calcium pills because calcium leaks from my urine. I just eat some low or fat free dairy and lots of greens. I just added magnesium from what I've been reading. Is this a good idea? Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sandy1947]

Possibly - no real evidence one way or the other. It is certainly useful if you are having muscle cramps. And a few people found it helped their PMR muscle pain.

[HeronNS in reply to Sandy1947]

Hi Sandy. This is an old thread! in case you haven't already read any of my posts about Vitamin K2, here is a link to a useful site:

authoritynutrition.com/vita...

[Sandy1947 in reply to HeronNS]

How come my fancy NY Drs.don't know this and pass on information to patients? Thanks for the insight.

[HeronNS in reply to Sandy1947]

My daughter is a dietitian. She only graduated a few years ago and didn't know about Vitamin K2 until I told her about it. It simply hasn't got into medical curricula yet. Although I'd never expect much nutritional help from a physician anyway.

[Sandy1947 in reply to HeronNS]

You are so right. My rheumie said there was no scientific data regarding foods that cause inflammation. How is that possible? I guess keeping a food journal is the only way to determine what works on an individual basis.

Last Tuesday I ate eggplant, peppers, and mushrooms in tomatoe sauce with mozzarella cheese. I woke up at 2:30 am with excruciating shoulder pain. I gave leftovers to my daughter in law. 3 nights later I still wake up with pain. Not sure I can attribute pain to what I ate. This is hard. Detective work is not easy!

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Kay 60, I had blood tests to check my magnesium and potassium levels, and they were fine so I haven't taken supplements. Always check with a good pharmacist before starting though that it is compatible with all other medications you are taking.

[Megams]

Hi Kay60 - Absolutely one needs magnesium and a good reputable one with no fillers.

I use a magnesium oil (imported from USA) and rub into my legs & arms especially at night to alleviate spasm/leg cramps which are sickening to the pit of my stomach. I always know when I have forgotten to rub in my mag oil and would not be without it. I supplement during the day orally and with a reputable magnesium source also.

Hope this helps - blessings

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