Which Form of Magnesium Do I Use for Migraine Prevention?
Finding ways to effectively manage migraine is challenging for many of us. I have tried more things to help me with this that have failed me than have provided me with any lasting relief. I use a combination of therapies to manage my disease. Over time, I have curated many types of treatments, including the addition of a few supplements. I have an excellent and knowledgeable headache specialist who treats me, and with her help, we target the best options for me. Magnesium is one of the supplements we are targeting.
Which magnesium would be best for me?
My doctor and I spent time discussing magnesium's benefits for the nervous system and body overall. The most confusing part is that there are many different forms of magnesium. Different forms of magnesium work in different areas of the body. There is also bioavailability to consider with how much elemental magnesium is in a particular supplement. This is where her guidance in talking through these questions was beneficial. I have other comorbid conditions that also factor into my options, but we were able to get me started quickly.
What form of magnesium did I try first?
The form I first added to my therapy regimen was magnesium glycinate. It is not a form of magnesium that you can pick up in most drug stores or big box stores where I live. My best bet was health food, vitamin stores, and other specialty stores. An online search will also provide many options, too. Then the next step is to find the product's form, dosage, and desired elemental magnesium. Reading the labels carefully is essential. Targeting the amount of magnesium you want in pill form, for instance, can vary between products. I take enough pills as it is, so finding the amount I want in the fewest pills is essential to me. The product I use has 120mg of elemental magnesium in one pill, whereas with others I may need to take two or more to get the same amount. My doctor and I agreed on a target between 600mg and 800mg per day.
What other form of magnesium did I try?
After using magnesium glycinate at 600mg per day without any nasty side effects like diarrhea, we added another form of magnesium, magnesium L-threonate. Similarly to glycinate, this form isn't readily available in most stores near me. The product I chose for this form states 2000mg of Magtein, but the elemental form of L-threonate is 144mg/three capsules. This seems pretty standard for most products I looked into. The goal was to add about 100mg of this to the other form to bring me to about my 600mg dose. As I mentioned, different forms of magnesium help with different things. Talking to your doctor is a great place to start, in addition to doing your own research. You want to target what your needs are.
How has it helped my migraine and comorbidities?
Using magnesium glycinate helps calm my nervous system. The doctor feels it may help my depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It was a good fit for me because I have seen benefits in all those areas and helping with constipation, a side effect of some of my medications. Adding L-threonate will hopefully help with my cognitive issues and the medication I currently take. The doctor advised me to try this combination out for 6-8 weeks and report my experience to her. The addition of supplements has been a good fit for me. As with anything else in this area, the cost may be a factor as many insurances do not cover supplements. I found the cost worthwhile based on the benefits the supplements yielded in my case.
Has anyone tried magnesium or other supplements and had good results to share? Let me know in the comments!
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