I had my husband on Natural Calm which is the brand I take. His mood lifted, he was less tired etc etc. The problem is it affected his toilet habits! My friend said better to spray and take it trans-dermally but she's talking about Magnesium Chloride.
Is that any good to take? I've only ever taken the Natural Calm brand...I have to say it does affect my stomach too !
I believe that Natural Calm contains magnesium citrate, which I use (I get a generic tablet rather than a potentially expensive branded form): citrate is very good, but it can lead to bowel issues particularly if too much is taken at one time. When I was taking 600mg a day I took 200mg morning, 200mg midday, 200mg evening and had no problems.
Magnesium glycinate is recommended, particularly in the US where it seems to be more readily available (in the UK it generally has to be ordered), because it is very bio available, helps sleep, and is much less likely to cause bowel issues.
Ok great. Do you know if you can take that transdermally ?
I've only seen it in tablet form, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. How effective dermal application is...as I say below, never worked for me but reportedly works for some. But if you're just trying to avoid bowel issues I'd give oral glycinate a try.
I tried dermal application of magnesium oils and creams: didn't work for me, but it does for some - as does bathing with Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate). My skin must be particularly thick or something!
thanks all , very helpful as ever !
products containing magnesium citrate will have a laxative effect. Magnesium glycinate or magnesium oxide for muscle relaxation are safer to avoid those effects. I take a magnesium complex that includes magnesium citrate but it’s a small amount and contains other forms.
It explains a lot!! I think we've all been suffering so I'm definitely going to experiment! Thanks so much
Magnesium oxide contains a lot of elemental magnesium but is one of (if not the) least bio-available form(s) of magnesium - i.e. you have to take a lot of it to achieve anything. And it is most often used as an antacid or as a laxative to relieve constipation. The worst common side effects of magnesium oxide are cramping and diarrhoea.
medlineplus.gov/druginfo/me...
Magnesium citrate certainly does have a laxative effect if too much is taken at one time. However because of its bio-availability it can be taken in smaller doses than oxide to achieve the same increase in serum magnesium without laxative effects. I have post-radiotherapy proctitis of the bowel so am sensitive to dietary supplements, but can take citrate - with care - without issues.
In the US particularly magnesium (bis-) (di-) glycinate is the most recommended magnesium supplement precisely because it is bio-available, has much less of a laxative effect, and can help sleep - so feels like a good option for Boldgirl although it's slightly more difficult to find in shops in the UK.
Magnesium aspartate, magnesium lactate, and magnesium malate are also sometimes recommended as being bio-available but they are less readily available OTC other than in branded compounds.
Hi Boldgirl45 , Healthspan a well known supplement provider in the Uk , do a good Magnesium supplement called Opti -magnesium, and it’s not too expensive. Not sure what type of magnesium it contains, but I find it helpful for my condition and it doesn’t upset my stomach.
Thank you Tim! Very helpful 
'Opti-magnesium' contains magnesium citrate, magnesium malate, vitamin D3 and inulin. While it looks to be a good product at a reasonable price, as Boldgirl45 and her husband both appear to be sensitive to citrate in their current supplement - and malate can also result in diarrhoea in 25% of test cases - they might be best to search for magnesium glycinate. This is not widely sold retail in the UK (although Holland & Barrett list at least one brand) but is readily available from online retailers
I use Magnesium Complex by Hey Nutrition (2 a day) which is fine with my sensitive stomach
Hey's Magnesium Complex contains magnesium glycinate, citrate and malate, plus vitamin D3 and Zinc. The largest ingredient appears to be the magnesium glycinate which will probably be why it doesn't trouble your stomach; the malate is also less problematic than the citrate (although still causing diarrhoea in about 25% of test subjects) so may also help. I'd still suggest that straight glycinate may be better for Boldgirl because of previous problems with citrate.
Hi Boldgirl45, I’m sorry it’s Healthspan opti- Magnesium elite that I take not just the Opti-Magnesium, which contains magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and added B vitamins complex. Yes, it’s a little more expensive than the opti- magnesium, and I just take the stated dose of one tablet daily.
You could have him try a liquid version.
NOW Foods, Liquid Magnesium with Trace Minerals, 8 fl oz (237 ml)
Trace Minerals ®, Ionic Magnesium, 400 mg, 2 fl oz (59 ml)
And with the topic spray, the best by far that I have used is this brand.
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil (4oz)
Something else to try with the spray is to use some DMSO, which helps it get the magnesium deep into the tissues.
Just read up on DMSO, while very safe there are some precautions to take.
everyone thanks so much for your input! Super busy so struggling to respond individually but will definitely look into all the suggestions!
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