Magnesium and Nerve Functions
To determine whether taking magnesium for nerves is effective, it helps first to understand the relationship between magnesium and nerve function. Studies show that magnesium and calcium are closely linked. While this is essential for bone health, it also plays a part in nervous system function.
Magnesium and calcium remain positively charged, but when they contact negatively charged particles, they form an electrical current. The fatty acids in the nerve tissue are negatively charged, which is why magnesium levels must constantly be renewed in order to retain a proper nerve current.
Additional studies demonstrate the correlation between magnesium and the parasympathetic nervous system. Magnesium appears to promote restful sleep patterns and create a feeling of calm. Because of its natural relaxant properties, magnesium is often recommended to patients that have trouble sleeping.
Beyond that, it’s possible for magnesium supplements to promote sciatic nerve regeneration and decrease inflammatory responses. In this particular study, magnesium-rich diets enhanced nerve regeneration and improved neurological recovery in mice with sciatic nerve injuries.
These aren’t the only studies showing that magnesium may help with nerve damage. If you suffer from nerve pain, you might benefit from taking magnesium to increase your overall comfort and wellness.
Does Magnesium Help with Nerve Damage?
Magnesium plays a role in more than 300 enzyme systems throughout the body, including the nervous system. The studies referenced above show that magnesium is critical to creating electrical signals among the nerves, but it appears that the benefits go far deeper.
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy found that magnesium could help patients experiencing chemotherapy-related neuropathy – a condition defined as the damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that result in pain, numbness and weakness.
There was also a study published in Nutrients that stated people with higher levels of magnesium were less likely to suffer from neuropathy. Seeing the benefits of magnesium with neuropathy patients shows us that this mineral can support healthy nerve function.
Magnesium provides additional benefits for people suffering from muscle twitching or spasms. Magnesium has been effective at improving these conditions in the elderly and pregnant women.
How To Get Magnesium To Support Nerve Pain?
If you want the best form of magnesium for nerve pain, it helps to start by looking at your diet.
The Office of Dietary Supplements suggests that it’s best to increase magnesium through the food you eat. It’s recommended that most people consume between 350 and 400 mg per day. You could accomplish this by eating magnesium-rich foods, such as:
- Nuts
- Spinach and other leafy greens
- Seeds
- Black beans
- Edamame
- Peanut butter
- Plain yogurt
To support a healthy nervous system, you might consider adding a magnesium supplement to help compensate for poor diet or current lifestyle. While there are many options, choosing the right supplement makes a difference in the overall results people have received from magnesium. For example, magnesium oxide is not an ideal form of supplement for nervous system support, and more suitable to relieve other conditions, such as constipation.
A high quality, highly soluble form of magnesium is best for muscles, nerves, and nerve pain. This includes liquid magnesium supplements that aid in bypassing breakdown during the body’s natural digestive processes. A liquid form also supports more precise dosage as you continue identifying your personal saturation levels.
Side Effects and Risks
If you are suffering from a magnesium deficiency, it’s possible to add more than the RDA (recommended daily allowance). There isn’t a definitive cap, but one study suggests it may be safe to take up to 1,400 mg a day. Of course, this is something you should first discuss with your healthcare practitioner.
People that suffer from nerve pain, or nerve damage, may experience an associated result of taking additional magnesium. For example, an additional increase of diarrhea symptoms experienced by advanced diabetics resulting from intestinal nerve damage. And while studies have shown the beneficial effects of magnesium treatment and chemotherapy patients, taking additional supplements may increase nausea in some consumers. Most people will experience minimal side effects, if any, and these effects are easily managed by adjusting dosage.