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Magnesium is an essential mineral that our bodies need to function properly. It can improve bone health, stabilize blood pressure, and help maintain a healthy heart rhythm and nerve function. Symptoms of being low in magnesium include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle cramping, tingling, and muscle contractions.
Low magnesium is also linked to headaches and migraines. It’s estimated that many people don’t get enough magnesium through their diets. One study found that about 75 percent of Americans aren’t getting enough magnesium. Magnesium, and particularly magnesium oxide, is sometimes used to treat and prevent migraines.
There are multiple types of magnesium, which are sometimes used to treat different conditions. Magnesium isn’t easily absorbed by the body without being bound to another substance. Because of this, supplements often have magnesium combined with other substances, like amino acids.
The most common types of magnesium used in supplements include:
Significant research has shown that people with migraines often have lower levels of magnesium than those without them. One study actually found that regular intake of magnesium reduced the frequency of migraine attacks by 41.6 percent. Other research has shown that taking daily magnesium supplements can be effective at preventing menstrual-related migraines.
Magnesium oxide is most frequently used to prevent migraines. You can take it in pill form, with a general recommended dosage of about 400 to 500 milligrams a day. Magnesium can be administered intravenously in the form of magnesium sulfate.
Because magnesium is a natural element and is necessary for our health, it may be a safe migraine treatment. This is especially true when compared to migraine medications, which can come with more severe side effects.
Magnesium is generally considered safe to take for most people, but taking it can result in some side effects. The most common side effects are abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience these, you can try lowering your dosage for relief.
Another common side effect of magnesium is lowered blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure, talk to your doctor before taking magnesium regularly.
Taking too much magnesium can lead to a dangerous buildup, and can result in serious side effects, such as:
For this reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking magnesium to ask about the best dosage for you.
For those who don’t want to take supplements, some foods naturally contain magnesium.
Dark leafy greens like spinach and chard are some of the best foods you can eat. One cup of either contains between 38 to 40 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium.
Other foods that contain magnesium include:
While supplements can provide a powerful boost, it’s best to focus on getting magnesium through your diet by incorporating magnesium-dense foods.
Certain people should not take magnesium, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions. This includes those who have:
If you have digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or a stomach infection, ask your doctor before taking magnesium. These conditions can affect how much magnesium the body absorbs.
Magnesium can also interact with other medications, including:
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before you take magnesium. For pregnant women, it’s considered generally safe to take 350 to 400 milligrams of magnesium oxide in pill form each day. It is not safe to take magnesium sulfate intravenously, as that is associated with bone thinning in the fetus.
When taken in safe doses, magnesium can effectively prevent migraines for many people. Since magnesium generally has fewer side effects than prescription migraine medicine, it may be a more suitable option.
If you’re experiencing migraines for the first time, or they’ve increased in severity or frequency, seek help from your doctor. They can help you determine how much magnesium you should take and what other treatment options to consider.
Written by: Ana Gotter
Medically reviewed
on: Feb 03, 2017: Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, RN, CRNA, COI
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