Magnesium Glycinate

@radinski Wow, 200o mg per day is a very high dose. The recommended daily dose from foods plus supplements, is 320 mg per day for women, about 400 mg per day for men. In addition to creating very high serum magnesium that your body must work hard to eliminate, you are creating very expensive urine and 7enriching the supplement companies.

@radinski Thank you for the idea of Epsom salt....I will try that. I think I am low on Magnesium. I asked my doctor to check both my B12 and magnesium. The B12 was checked and it has quite a high number which I have read is needed for neuropathy. But the magnesium was not checked. I took a capsule a couple hours before bed a a couple weeks ago and it set off diarrhea three times. I took an Imodium then. I slept like I hadn't in 15/20 years. Tried it the next night. Same thing so decided I better not do that anymore and then asked for the test. So still in the dark about that. I do take one capsule with food at lunch. That does not seem to help night time sleeping. I sure wish I could find out something that acted like that magnesium....will keep looking.

@sueinmn I was not tested before I starting taking magnesium supplements but recent tests ordered by my nephrologist show me to be in the lower half of the normal range.

I started taking magnesium citrate and calcium citrate over two decades ago on the advice of my ob/gyn when I had to give up dairy products (including cheese and yogurt). One can only tolerate so much diarrhea, gas, and bloating. I take about 1300 mg calcium--about a third of the total at breakfast, at lunch, and at dinner. I was advised to take about half as much magnesium but to cut back if I get diarrhea. I am up to 125 mg magnesium citrate with each meal, 150 mg magnesium oxide at lunch, 50 mg magnesium glycinate about 3 hours before bedtime and 100 mg magnesium glycinate at bedtime. I found that spreading magnesium out over the day really helps cut down on leg cramps which can happen at any time of day but are more common at night.

@starbright375 I believe that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin with Epsom salt, creams, and sprays. You could still have GI issues…let me know your thoughts.

@radinski There is SOME evidence that SOME magnesium in SOME forms is absorbed through the skin.
Here is the issue that stops its widespread use and acceptance: there are no scientific studies that show HOW much is absorbed, WHICH form of magnesium is most easily absorbed, HOW long the exposure must be, or WHAT concentration of magnesium is required.
The problem is, health care providers, whether traditional, alternative, or holistic, have no measured way to recommend topical/transdermal magnesium, whether in the form of soaks, oils or creams, because there is no data.
So, if magnesium really works for you over time, go for it.
We all hope the research will eventually provide us with a new tool.
In the meanwhile, the best way to get magnesium is through our food. I know many people have been conditioned to believe this can only be done by eating a handful of of "high magnesium" foods, many of which don't appeal to a lot of us. In truth, a reasonable, balanced diet provides plenty of magnesium for most people, unless they have a problem with absorption or processing.
Here is a GREAT list of the magnesium content of thousands of foods:
https://www.careomnia.com/nutrition-tool-nutrient
Men need around 400 mg of magnesium per day, women need 300-320 mg. With a quick look, you will see that you can do this with no digestive issues and no added expense, by a healthy diet.

I purchased a jar of magnesium cream (forgot the type and cannot supply that info now) that is supposed to be rubbed on one’s feet to promote sleep. May have worked for others, but it did not help my sleep issues at all.

@radinski I bought a Magnesium Spray called Seven Minerals, that I rub on my legs and ankles at night before bed and in the morning. It is on Amazon. But, I put it in my Walmart on-line grocery kart. It does help a little and I can sleep better. The pain is a lot better than it was six months ago. I have been taking 5,000 B12 and using the spray. I wish I could take a Magnesium capsule at night because I sleep so well the couple times I tried it. I couldn't continue that because of the diarrhea a couple times. Decided that was not the best idea. The spray does not cause diarrhea. I am not sure whether the shin splint pain comes from my knees or my back. Doctors have been thinking it is neuropathy, but I think it is tendinitis.

I take 240mg of mg glycinate at bedtime and don't have any issues related to it that I know of. I get mine from Costco. I don't recall getting serum magnesium checked.

My wife bought Designs for Health brand Magnesium Glycinate Complex which are 150mg capsules. She started with 1 cap before bedtime for 3 days then increased to 2 caps at bedtime as recommended. This is considered a high quality product recommended y a nutritionist.