Supplements of vital vitamins and minerals have seen a shining light of the day in recent times. From social media influencers to professional doctors, everyone has jumped on the supplement train, recommending one or the other for better health, skin and more. However, when it comes to their side effects people either have to wait and watch or begin researching themselves going deep into the Google and social media tunnel. For those looking to start taking magnesium supplements, a pharmacist has 5 positive side effects that you must know prior.
Why magnesium supplements?
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According to the National Institutes of Health, the diets of many people in the United States provide less than the required amount of magnesium. The nutrient is vital for various bodily processes such as regulating muscle and nerve functions, maintaining blood sugar levels and blood pressure and making protein, bones and DNA. To bridge this gap between the amount of magnesium consumed and required, people mostly turn to supplements which work as an easy-to-consume way of ensuring appropriate magnesium intake.
Doctor warns of side effects of magnesium supplements
Now, Will, a pharmacist with a following of 226K on Instagram, recently shared a video revealing five side effects of taking magnesium that one must know before beginning the journey. The video has received more than 2K likes and comments from people appreciating the information. What are the side effects?
Unusual muscle changes
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“That tension in your shoulders? Gone. Cramps when you sleep? Gone. That tingling in your fingers? Starts to ease up.” Various studies have found that the requirement for magnesium increases with an increase in physical activity. The mineral improves exercise function by improving glucose availability in the brain, muscle and blood and reducing/delaying lactate accumulation in the muscle.
Brain shifts
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Magnesium calms down overactive neurons, thus slowing down racing thoughts and improving focus. Research published in the Nutrients journal, stated that magnesium regulates stress by modulating neurotransmitters such as glutamate and GABA. Thus, it might be a good addition to your diet.
Sudden blood pressure regulation
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“You might notice that your heart isn’t sprinting anymore. Your body’s noticing, and your headaches start to go away. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, provided participants with 365-450 mg/d magnesium from 1-6 months and it was seen that mineral supplementation significantly lowered BP in individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes, and other noncommunicable chronic diseases.
Deep sleep
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The biggest “side-effect” as the pharmacist quoted of taking magnesium supplements is deep sleep. “Your stress drops, mood swings fade and it feels unnaturally good. Magnesium might be the most underrated mineral out there. But once you start, there’s no going back!” It seems this holds true as research published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, supplementation of magnesium improves insomnia, sleep efficiency, and sleep time in elderly people. Another study published on Elsevier, stated that plasma magnesium levels are lower in sleep-deprived people. Magnesium helps maintain a normal circadian rhythm, reduces daytime sleepiness and improves sleep quality.