Magnesium Supplementation

Multiple magnesium forms can support magnesium status and influence the nervous system over time. Magnesium forms differ mainly in absorption, tolerability, elemental magnesium content, cost, and possibly speed of raising brain magnesium. Most magnesium supplements are partly broken down during digestion, separating magnesium from its attached molecule to varying degrees. After magnesium reaches the bloodstream, the brain does not primarily depend on which supplement form originally supplied it. If using magnesium L-threonate, adding another magnesium form with higher elemental magnesium content can help cover overall magnesium needs. Magnesium supplementation can be associated with muscle spasms that indicate electrolyte dysfunction. Magnesium supplementation can trigger heart palpitations when electrolyte imbalance is present. When magnesium supplements cause symptoms such as palpitations or spasms, low calcium is typically the underlying problem. For most beginners, magnesium glycinate or a magnesium complex is presented as a practical starting point.