Hi - I’m new on here but diagnosed in 2016, SPMS. I’ve been taking magnesium tablets for years, must have been told it’s good for MS - fatigue and leg spasms. I’m taking 2 x 375mg tablets each day. Does that sound right or too much - it’s higher than the general guidelines. Any thoughts from others taking it? Thanks!
Welcome @cathy51 I read something on magnesium supplements. Vitamin D too. I’m not sure what kind of dosage we should be taking. On the vitamin D I take a 4000 dosage. Nothing my Dr prescribed..just decided to take that amount. When I had my last blood test six months ago I specifically asked my GP if they could check my vitamin D level because it’s not something they just routinely do. And even taking that amount my vitamin D level was still at the lower end of normal. I’m contemplating taking magnesium supplements too. Although I’m not sure what kind of dosage. I know that you can overdose on vitamin D so I presume you can overdose on magnesium too. I might ask my GP if they can check my magnesium levels too just to see if they’re on the low side as well.
This is from the NHS site.
How much magnesium do I need?
The amount of magnesium you need is:
- 300mg a day for men (19 to 64 years)
- 270mg a day for women (19 to 64 years)
What happens if I take too much magnesium?
Taking high doses of magnesium (more than 400mg) for a short time can cause diarrhoea.
There’s not enough evidence to say what the effects might be of taking high doses of magnesium for a long time.
What does the Department of Health and Social Care advise?
You should be able to get all the magnesium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
If you take magnesium supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.
Having 400mg or less a day of magnesium from supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.
Vitamins and minerals - Others - NHS
*** Take a look at the packet and check the actual amount of magnesium. I use Healthspan and although they state 375mg, the value per tablet is only 187mg, which is perfectly ok.
375mg recommended daily. However, there is a bewildering selection of magnesium compounds available. Magnesium Oxide tends to be the most common and cheapest, however claims are made for Mg Glycinate, Chelate or Citrate offering better absorption into the body, so it’s not just the amount you take but the amount that gets absorbed that matters. Or so they say…
I switched from Oxide to Glycinate a year ago - can’t say if it has made a difference or not. Need to reorder, not sure to order next.
Vitamins & supplements are unregulated, unlike pharmaceutical medicines.
The main ones for MS are Vitamin D (high dose - 4000IU), B12 (or B-complex) and Magnesium. I also take Omega3 fish oil, turmeric plus a cheap multivitamin as a catch-all in case my diet is low in something.
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