#282 - AMA #54: Magnesium: risks of deficiency, how to correct it, supplement options, potential cognitive and sleep benefits, and more
Dec 11, 2023
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Peter, an expert in magnesium and its roles in the body, discusses the risks of deficiency and how to correct it. Topics include: importance of magnesium, determining deficiency, causes of deficiency, diet and supplementation, cognitive and sleep benefits, and Peter's recent fitness experimentation.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in various processes in the body, including bone health, nerve transmission, and glucose control.
Measuring magnesium deficiency can be challenging, but a cautious approach to supplementation can be beneficial in addressing deficiency.
Deep dives
Role of Magnesium in the Body
Magnesium plays a crucial role in various processes in the body, including bone health, nerve transmission, and glucose control. It acts as a co-transporter for the movement of potassium and calcium across membranes. Magnesium deficiency can have negative impacts on bone health, contributing to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Additionally, magnesium is involved in regulating insulin secretion and glucose movement into cells, thus affecting insulin metabolism. Furthermore, magnesium plays a central role in nerve transmission and muscle function, acting as an antagonist of the NMDA receptor and a GABA agonist, which may have implications for conditions like migraines.
Methods of Measuring Magnesium Deficiency
Measuring magnesium deficiency can be challenging due to limited reliable tests. While plasma levels can be measured, they may not be indicative of total body magnesium levels. More comprehensive tests involve assessing urinary magnesium levels over a period of time or conducting a more elaborate test where a large IV bolus of magnesium is administered. However, in individuals with normal renal function, assuming magnesium deficiency and proceeding with supplementation based on symptoms and signs, such as low bone density or muscle cramps, is a common approach.
Availability and Benefits of Magnesium Supplementation
Supplementing with magnesium can be beneficial in addressing magnesium deficiency. Intravenous magnesium administration has shown short-term relief for migraines, but oral magnesium treatments may reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. The effectiveness of magnesium supplementation depends on the individual's deficiency level, with greater deficiencies potentially benefiting more from supplementation. However, accurately measuring magnesium deficiency remains a challenge, warranting a cautious approach to supplementation.
In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter tackles essential questions about magnesium, beginning with the important roles it plays in the body and why maintaining proper levels is crucial. Peter discusses the harms of magnesium deficiency, how to determine if you're deficient, potential causes of deficiency, and how diet and supplementation can be used to increase magnesium levels. Peter unravels the confusion surrounding magnesium supplementation, discussing the optimal forms and recommended daily intake while addressing concerns about excess consumption. He also explores the potential cognitive and sleep benefits associated with magnesium supplementation. Finally, Peter concludes with a look into his recent experimentation with new exercises to serve as benchmarks to assess his progress and fitness levels as he navigates the aging process.
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We discuss:
The important roles of magnesium in the body [2:45];
How to determine if you might be deficient in magnesium [10:15];
Addressing migraines related to low magnesium [14:45];
The prevalence of magnesium deficiency [16:30];
Various conditions and drugs that can negatively impact magnesium levels [21:30];
Magnesium-rich foods and factors that impact absorption of magnesium [24:30];
Daily targets for magnesium supplementation and whether it’s possible to take too much [30:15];
The different forms of supplemental magnesium [34:00];
How absorption of magnesium from food compares to absorption from supplements [36:15];
Choosing the right magnesium supplements for optimal absorption [37:15];
The unique ability of magnesium L-threonate to increase brain magnesium concentration [40:15];
Potential cognitive benefits of magnesium [43:00];
Potential sleep benefits of magnesium [48:45];
Takeaways on magnesium and a look into Peter’s personal protocol [53:15];
Peter’s new benchmarks related to exercise and age [58:30]; and
The potential impact of hearing loss on brain health and neurodegeneration [2:04:30]; and