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Your body needs just the right balance of vitamins and minerals to work properly. Magnesium is one of those important nutrients, and it helps your muscles and nerves work as they should.
Many MyParkinsonsTeam members have asked whether supplements can help ease their symptoms. “Is anyone here taking magnesium supplements? If so, do you find it helpful with tremors? What dose are you using?” asked one member.
So far, there isn’t much evidence that magnesium supplements can help treat Parkinson’s disease. This article explains what magnesium is, what research says about its role in Parkinson’s, and how to recognize signs of taking too much magnesium.
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Magnesium has a role in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Your muscles, nerves, bones, heart, and kidneys all need this mineral to stay healthy. Magnesium also helps regulate levels of other vitamins and minerals, including calcium and potassium, and helps the body process vitamin D.
If you’re like many people, you may not get enough magnesium. Low magnesium levels don’t always cause noticeable symptoms. However, very low levels over time may be linked to a higher risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones).
If you have low magnesium levels, your first thought may be to take a supplement. However, magnesium is found in many foods and beverages, including:
You can add more of these foods into a healthy Parkinson’s disease diet. Eating a variety of nutritious foods can help you get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Several forms of magnesium are available as supplements. Some forms are also used in laxatives and antacids. Examples include:
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 400 to 420 milligrams per day for adult males and 310 to 320 milligrams per day for adult females, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
The RDA includes magnesium from all sources, including food, supplements, and medications. For adults, the upper limit for magnesium from supplements and medications is 350 milligrams a day, unless your doctor recommends otherwise. This limit doesn’t include magnesium naturally found in food.
If you’re concerned about your magnesium levels or are considering a daily supplement, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether you need testing or a supplement and what amount may be appropriate for you.
The role of magnesium in Parkinson’s disease is still unclear.
Some studies have found normal blood magnesium levels in people with Parkinson’s, while others have found higher levels. It’s not clear whether magnesium levels differ between people with and without Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition, meaning it involves the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain. Many Parkinson’s symptoms develop as dopamine-producing neurons (brain cells) break down or die. Without enough dopamine, the brain has a harder time controlling movement, leading to movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers believe that several processes contribute to the loss of neurons in Parkinson’s disease, including inflammation and oxidative stress (cell damage caused by free radicals). Lab and animal studies suggest that magnesium may help protect neurons, but this has not established that magnesium supplements can prevent or treat Parkinson’s in people.
There’s currently not enough evidence from studies in people to recommend magnesium supplements for slowing Parkinson’s disease or improving its symptoms. However, magnesium supplements may be used for other conditions, such as treating magnesium deficiency.
You may have heard that magnesium can help with muscle pain and cramps. Research has found mixed results, although some MyParkinsonsTeam members have reported that magnesium supplements help with their symptoms.
“While carbidopa/levodopa helps with tremors, I’ve found no relief for muscle pain. Does a magnesium supplement help?” asked one member.
“You should have your magnesium levels checked. A neurologist found my husband’s magnesium and vitamin D levels were low. They help muscles relax,” replied one member.
“I found magnesium oxide helps with my hand cramping but not pain,” wrote another.
If you’ve been feeling backed up lately, you’re not alone. Constipation commonly affects people with Parkinson’s disease, and there are several ways to manage it, such as dietary changes, probiotics, and laxatives. Some magnesium-based laxatives, including magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide, may help relieve constipation.
“Does anyone use a magnesium supplement to help with constipation?” asked a member. Another replied, “Yes, magnesium citrate works great. I take it at bedtime because it helps me relax and sleep better, along with helping my constipation.”
Magnesium supplements and laxatives can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, and nausea. Blood in the stool or being unable to have a bowel movement after taking a laxative like magnesium citrate can be signs of a more serious problem. Contact your doctor right away if you experience either of these symptoms.
Magnesium citrate is intended for short-term use for occasional constipation. You shouldn’t take it for longer than a week unless your doctor tells you to.
While researching magnesium supplements for Parkinson’s disease, you may come across magnesium L-threonate. “What are the benefits of magnesium L-threonate with Parkinson’s disease, and what’s the recommended dosage?” a MyParkinsonsTeam member asked.
Magnesium L-threonate is a form of magnesium salt being studied for its possible effects on the brain. Research suggests it can cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that controls which substances can pass from the bloodstream into the brain.
So far, research on magnesium L-threonate for Parkinson’s has been limited to animal studies. Some findings suggest that treatment with magnesium L-threonate could raise magnesium levels in the brain and improve movement problems. However, this doesn’t show that magnesium L-threonate can treat Parkinson’s symptoms in people.
More research in people with PD is needed to determine whether magnesium L-threonate is safe and effective for Parkinson’s. If you’re considering taking magnesium L-threonate or another magnesium supplement, talk with your doctor first.
Taking Magnesium Supplements SafelyWhen it comes to taking magnesium supplements, there can be too much of a good thing. Taking more than the 350-milligram daily limit for magnesium from supplements and medications can increase the risk of side effects. Very large doses can lead to dangerously high magnesium levels, known as magnesium toxicity, which can cause serious side effects, including hypotension (low blood pressure), an irregular heartbeat, and vomiting.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements differently from medications. Supplements don’t go through the same FDA approval process for safety and effectiveness before they are sold, so it’s important to talk with your doctor before taking one.
Magnesium supplements can interact with certain medications. This can affect how well some medications are absorbed or how well they work. Medications that can interact with magnesium or affect magnesium levels include:
One small study found that taking magnesium oxide at the same time as levodopa lowered levodopa levels in the blood and was associated with worsening Parkinson’s symptoms. Talk with your doctor before starting a magnesium supplement, especially if you take levodopa or other medications. Your doctor may recommend changing when you take the supplement or medication or avoiding the supplement altogether.
The kidneys help remove excess magnesium from the body through urine. If your kidneys don’t work as well as they should, your risk of magnesium toxicity is higher. Signs and symptoms of very high magnesium levels can include:
If you develop symptoms of magnesium toxicity, stop taking the magnesium supplement and get medical advice right away. Talk with your doctor before starting a magnesium supplement to make sure it’s safe for you.
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I have Parkinson’s and am taking Magnesium Glycinate (high absorption) mainly to help with sleep. Is this form beneficial for other PD symp
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A very interesting article...read but seek more information and confirmation from your the Doctor who is helping and monitoring your PD...
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