“When is the best time to take magnesium?” is one of the most frequently asked questions on search engines. The reason for this is that more people are learning about the power of magnesium and how important it is to our well-being.
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in your body. It’s involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, and a deficiency can lead to symptoms like mood swings, muscle cramps, and fatigue.
Magnesium is found in large quantities in the body and is the building block of many different proteins and enzymes.
There is a lot of conflicting advice out there when it comes to the best time to take magnesium. However, like many other things in health, it’s all about balance.
This article will help you figure out what’s the right time to take your magnesium so that you can be sure you are getting enough into your body as well as not taking too much.
Does Timing Matter When Taking Magnesium?
Well, it depends on what you’re taking it for. If your goal is to help with sleep, you might want to take it a little before you sleep. This will help you relax and sleep easily.
However, whether you take it in the morning or at night, the most important thing to consider is consistency. If you want to take magnesium in the morning, ensure you stick to it daily for a consistent magnesium level.
Here are some other factors to consider when taking magnesium:
- To avoid stomach upset, ensure you take magnesium near mealtime.
- Take it with a full glass of water about one hour before eating if you’re using it as a laxative. You can also take it two hours after your meal.
- Certain medications like antibiotics can lead to the fast excretion of magnesium through urine. Therefore, take such medications two hours before you take magnesium.
- Take magnesium supplements two hours before you take bisphosphonates.
- Visit your doctor for the appropriate magnesium schedule if you’re taking proton pump inhibitors or diuretics.
Generally, it is best to see the advice of your doctor before taking
Benefits of Magnesium
The following are some of the importance of magnesium.
It Improves the Heart Function
The heart is largely made up of muscles, and like all muscles, it needs nutrients to perform at its best. Magnesium helps keep the heart muscle strong so it can beat more efficiently, which keeps blood flowing throughout your body and supports good blood pressure levels. It also helps people suffering from heart disease or high cholesterol improve these conditions.
It Lowers Stress Levels and Improves Mood
Stress is a major source of tension and frustration in life. It can take away your energy and cause you to feel fatigued. Stress also affects your mood, causing you to be angry or depressed.
Magnesium is a key nutrient that can help you to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It does this by regulating the production of some chemicals in the brain.
It Improves Sleep
Magnesium is a mineral that has been linked to better sleep. It helps your body relax and prepare for sleep, which can make your bedtime more restful.
Research shows that people who have higher levels of magnesium in their blood have less trouble falling asleep. If you’re having trouble getting good sleep, try increasing your magnesium intake.
It Keeps the Bones Healthy
Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in bone health. It helps to absorb calcium, which is essential for building bones.
It also helps to keep your bones strong by regulating their growth and development. In addition, magnesium is also important for preventing osteoporosis.
What Foods Contain Magnesium?
The best sources of magnesium are dark leafy greens (like spinach) and nuts. Other foods like dairy, fish, dark chocolate and whole grains also contain some magnesium.
However, if you’re looking for a good source of magnesium without having to eat a lot of leafy greens or other foods high in this nutrient, you can go for magnesium supplements.
Magnesium can be taken with pretty much anything, but avoid foods containing oxalic and phytic acids if you’re taking it for long-term use.
Some people have also found that taking magnesium with certain medications or supplements can make them less effective or cause side effects.
Hence, it would be best if you talked to your doctor before you start taking magnesium supplements. Magnesium levels are also affected by what your body is used to eating and drinking, so if you add too much extra magnesium into your diet, it may not be absorbed properly and could have negative impacts.
Effects of Taking Overdose Magnesium
When you take too much magnesium, it can cause several effects. The most common effect is diarrhea. Another symptom of an overdose of magnesium is muscle cramps and spasms. If you’re taking excess magnesium, you might feel:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Sweating
- Body pains
Therefore, it is essential to seek your doctor’s advice before adding a magnesium supplement to your meal. This is especially important if you’re on medication.
Effects of Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can lead to several health problems, including:
- Cramps
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Digestive disorders
- Osteoporosis
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor to check your magnesium level.
Magnesium Recommended Daily Allowance
The recommended daily allowance for magnesium is 400-420 milligrams for male adults over 19 years old or 310-320 milligrams for female adults. For pregnant women, the RDA lies between 350-360 milligrams, while lactation is between 310-320 milligrams.
Magnesium is a generally safe supplement, so if you feel better taking it before bed or at any other time, there’s no reason to stop. Just ensure you’re consistent with it; this helps your body to adapt faster.
Also, it is best to seek your doctor’s advice before going ahead with any drugs. Aside from making sure you are not taking the wrong combination of drugs, doing this also helps with the documentation of your medical history. So always carry your health provider along.
