Which type of magnesium is best?

If Vitamin D was the vitamin of choice on social media in 2020, magnesium might be the golden child of 2023. I guarantee that your patients are looking for magnesium on your shelves right now, and I guarantee that they are confused. Have you ever wondered why there are so many different types of magnesium and which ones are better or worse when it comes to side effects? So, what is all the excitement about? There is certainly some evidence that magnesium may be beneficial for different issues such as muscle cramps, sleep, dysmenorrhea, and even migraine, but we know as pharmacists that magnesium supplementation can also come with side effects, and magnesium can also interact with medications. This week's video answers a question we received from a viewer of the Friendly Pharmacy 5 channel who asked: "Which magnesium supplement is best?" Though getting one's nutritional requirement for magnesium is usually attainable through a diet rich in green leafy vegetables like spinach, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, some patients will be more prone to magnesium deficiency such as those with Crohn's disease, or celiac disease, and those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol. There is also some evidence that those with Type 2 diabetes may be more prone to magnesium deficiency. Older adults are also at a greater risk for deficiency for a couple of reasons. One is due to generally lower dietary intake. In addition, as we age, magnesium absorption from the gut decreases and renal magnesium excretion increases. Older adults are also more likely to have chronic disease and thus are more likely to take medications that alter magnesium status. In this 7-minute video, we aim to address this viewer's question by delving into the most common magnesium supplements, their respective uses, and possible side effects. We also explore magnesium's presence in various over-the-counter products, including antacids and laxatives, shedding light on how excessive magnesium consumption can result in adverse effects. Watch the Video As always, references used for the production of Friendly Pharmacy 5 videos are included in the video description. You may find this resource from the NIH helpful as well: Magnesium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals When it comes to vitamins and supplements, we want our customers to be making decisions based on the best evidence available. We also don't want to see them spending their money on supplements that might be providing no benefit or even causing adverse effects. Hopefully by watching this video, you feel more confident when someone inevitably asks you “What magnesium is best?” If you want a more in-depth explanation on the role of magnesium in the body, including how magnesium interacts with certain medications, please check out our video on Magnesium deficiency, for a more complete overview. On the Podcast: Check out our most popular podcast episode (Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts): Do Probiotics Work? The Truth About Probiotics with Author of the Clinical Guide to Probiotics, Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic RPh BScPhm NCMP Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Access expert interviews and evidence-based health content at your fingertips on the Friendly Pharmacy 5 Channel, also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Lindsay Dixon is a pharmacist, consultant, health content creator, and public health ambassador for Heart Pharmacy Group. She is also the Founder of Friendly Pharmacy 5 & CreateRx. For collaborations or consulting services, please reach out: friendlypharmacy5@gmail.com

Which type of magnesium is best?

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