Written by Dr Sandra Miranda, ND

I came across a study from 2013 that clearly outlines that taking higher amounts of magnesium helps better control insulin and sugar levels in the blood.  The same study also showed that the same amount of magnesium helps with bloating and water retention. 

The literature also documents that overweight adults tend to have a lower blood level of intracellular magnesium when compared to healthy controls of normal weight. 

The truth is that magnesium is, unfortunately, one of the most common mineral deficiencies and yet, it is one of the minerals that we need the most.  Magnesium deficiency causes problems such as muscle tension or cramps, water retention, headaches, racing thoughts, irritability, fatigue, bloating and we have a harder time dealing with stress.

If you wish to increase your magnesium intake, foods such as hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, leafy green vegetables, oatmeal, peanuts, baked potatoes with skin (when potatoes are boiled the minerals leach into the water), black-eyed peas, pinto beans, lentils, bananas, raisins and halibut are good sources of magnesium.

Magnesium an also be taken from a whole food supplement.  However, there are different forms of magnesium in the market.  So before you buy one, keep the following in mind in regards to the 3 more common magnesium supplements that you will find):

  • Magnesium citrate & oxide – are not the well absorbed forms of magnesium and therefore they are used more for problems such as constipation.  These usually cause lose stools.
  • Magnesium glycinate or bis-glycinate– is the better absorbed form therefore, it tend to be used more for tension, PMS, insomnia, stress, energy, high blood pressure, etc.
  • Magnesium L-threonate – is the one that seems to cross the blood brain barrier the best and therefore it is used in cases such as memory loss, concussion, depression, etc.

Unfortunately, magnesium can be difficult to absorb for many people, even if you are taking a good supplement.   This is especially true if you have digestive tract problems and maybe a slower absorption ability. Most patients are able to replenish their magnesium deficiency quicker and more effectively with an IV vitamin treatment. 

Intravenous therapy is a way of delivering high doses of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients directly into your bloodstream where your body can easily and quickly access them.  Vitamins, and minerals are delivered immediately and directly fed to the cells. Nothing gets lost inside our digestive tract (which is the case when we take vitamins orally).

If you would like to find out if you are a good candidate for IV vitamin treatments, contact us at 905-239-3900– We are happy to help!