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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 14:52:38
A friend of mine is suffering from bipolar depression with anxiety. She wants to take magnesium, but doesn't know the appropriate dosage range.
1. What is a reasonable dosage of magnesium to treat depression?
2. What is the best form of magnesium supplement to take? She went out and bought magnesium chloride.
Thank you.
- Scott
Posted by Beckett on March 22, 2012, at 3:37:58
In reply to Magnesium dosage?, posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 14:52:38
More than for which you asked:
The abstract:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19944540The study:
http://george-eby-research.com/html/magnesium-treatment-resistant-depression.pdfThey say your friend's selection is fine, though the author's
closing final emphasis on magnesium glycinate. As to dosage 125-300 mg 4 x per day for TRD. That gives you a ballpark dosage.According to the authors, the following magnesium compounds are well absorbed: magnesium acetate, chloride,
citrate, gluconate, glycinate, lactate, malate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate and taurate.
Posted by Hugh on March 23, 2012, at 13:15:58
In reply to Magnesium dosage?, posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 14:52:38
> 2. What is the best form of magnesium supplement to take? She went out and bought magnesium chloride.
Magnesium l-threonate is by far the best form. It's better at crossing the blood-brain barrier than all other forms of magnesium. It's only been available since last year. The label recommends taking three capsules a day, but I think it's best to start with one capsule and wait awhile to see how it affects you before increasing the dose.
http://web.mit.edu/press/2010/magnesium-supplement.html
Posted by Beckett on March 24, 2012, at 8:31:39
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by Hugh on March 23, 2012, at 13:15:58
Thanks for posting this, Hugh.
Posted by Beckett on March 26, 2012, at 12:23:06
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by Hugh on March 23, 2012, at 13:15:58
Hugh,
What dosage are you currently taking? I am waiting to receive lef's mag l-threonate. Three of their caps supply 144 mg. of the supplement. If this crosses the BBB efficiently, then maybe less would be needed than the TRD study I posted indicated up to 250 mg 3x daily (if I recall correctly).
Have you a brand you prefer?
Posted by Hugh on March 26, 2012, at 12:53:33
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage? » Hugh, posted by Beckett on March 26, 2012, at 12:23:06
> Hugh,
>
> What dosage are you currently taking? I am waiting to receive lef's mag l-threonate. Three of their caps supply 144 mg. of the supplement. If this crosses the BBB efficiently, then maybe less would be needed than the TRD study I posted indicated up to 250 mg 3x daily (if I recall correctly).
>
> Have you a brand you prefer?I take Swanson magnesium l-threonate. It doesn't matter what brand you get, because both Swanson and LEF get it from Magceutics. One capsule is plenty for me, but my brain is very sensitive to many supplements and drugs. I took two capsules for a few days, and my brain felt numb. Someone mentioned on Psychobabble Medication that he's taking five capsules! Its main benefit is that I'm sleeping more deeply. Not longer, just deeper. I got a bottle for my mother, because her insomnia has been worse since last summer. She says her sleep has improved since she started taking it. Here's another site about it:
Posted by Beckett on March 29, 2012, at 22:14:10
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage? » Beckett, posted by Hugh on March 26, 2012, at 12:53:33
I've decided to start with one cap per day and see. How long until you began to feel results? Today is day one. Sleeping more deeply sounds great. My sleep tends toward fragmentation. I hope it helps your mother's sleep issues.
Posted by Hugh on March 31, 2012, at 10:00:24
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage? » Hugh, posted by Beckett on March 29, 2012, at 22:14:10
> How long until you began to feel results?
I started to feel it within a few hours of taking it. And I started sleeping more deeply with a few days.
Posted by sigismund on April 7, 2012, at 3:08:00
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage? » Beckett, posted by Hugh on March 26, 2012, at 12:53:33
>ts main benefit is that I'm sleeping more deeply. Not longer, just deeper.
Good to hear. This is my problem. I have upped the dose to 2 caps.
Posted by SLS on April 7, 2012, at 6:34:01
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by sigismund on April 7, 2012, at 3:08:00
> >ts main benefit is that I'm sleeping more deeply. Not longer, just deeper.
>
> Good to hear. This is my problem. I have upped the dose to 2 caps.
Good luck, Sigi.
- Scott
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2012, at 5:52:33
In reply to Magnesium dosage?, posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 14:52:38
It depends on her individual biochemical needs for magnesium and her ability to tolerate it. Some people need less, some more, so it is really difficult to say exactly what dosage she will benefit from. Certainly, at least 200mg of magnesium will help, but you can raise it slowly to 400mg or more per day. As far as type of magnesium, almost any type will offer some benefit. Personally, I prefer magnesium citrate because it has good bioavailability, but there are a number of different types. Magnesium glycinate is supposed to be very good at producing a calm mood. I have used this type with some success in the past. Another point I'd like to make is that it is a good idea to take the magnesium at bedtime as it can be sedating, especially the magnesium glycinate type. Be careful not to overdose on magnesium. Too much is not actually a good thing, but correct dosage is individually variable. I say start at the low point and gradually raise it to tolerability, especially if it affects the bowels. It can give you diarrhea at large dosages. It is also a good idea to balance magnesium intake with calcium as well. Calcium, too, can be a calming mineral for people. Balance between the two is key.
Lao
Posted by SLS on May 21, 2012, at 15:37:22
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2012, at 5:52:33
Posted by ihatedrugs on August 6, 2012, at 1:25:47
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2012, at 5:52:33
What do you think of Magnesium threonate? I'm on my third bottle and have really not seen much of an effect. Do you think glycinate may be better for sleeping issues?
Thanks
ihatedrugs
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 14, 2012, at 13:53:45
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage? » Lao Tzu, posted by ihatedrugs on August 6, 2012, at 1:25:47
I've never used magnesium threonate. I use citrate. I take it at bedtime, and it is a subtle effect, but it helps somewhat with energy the following day. Of course, other vitamins need to be taken to compliment magnesium, such as the B vitamins and a multivitamin that contains other minerals. I took the glycinate type a few years ago. It may possibly help with sleep. I don't know for sure. Take at bedtime, since it seems to be more sedating. At least that was my experience. It seems to be more sedating than the citrate kind. I prefer citrate over the oxide type because I think it is absorbed better in the gut. The key is to find the dosage that works for you. I only take 200mg per day because I find that is all I like to take. Some people take 400mg or more per day. Some say it helps depression at higher dosages, but remember to get enough calcium as well. Usually, a multivitamin will have some calcium and a multivitamin is just a good insurance policy.
Lao
Posted by ihatedrugs on February 1, 2013, at 19:03:48
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by Lao Tzu on August 14, 2012, at 13:53:45
Posted by ihatedrugs on February 1, 2013, at 19:03:56
In reply to Re: Magnesium dosage?, posted by Lao Tzu on August 14, 2012, at 13:53:45
This is the end of the thread.
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