Magnesium supplementation to relieve fatigue: a personal anecdote

Maybe it's early menopause, and maybe it's my McDonald's and Starbucks-enhanced diet, but lately I tend to get tired and brain foggy. Over the past month, I'd say I spent at least a solid week and a half total in a state of lethargy. Didn't feel like exercising; didn't feel like housecleaning; didn't even feel like paying bills (I did it anyway, but to avoid mistakes and confusion I had to really concentrate on what I was doing, instead of just dashing them off as usual).

Sounds like depression, you might think. I'm not sure...I assume it is.  While looking for depression-related subjects to write about, I stumbled across some more info on magnesium supplements and their use in treating depression, chronic fatigue, and a bunch of other problems.

Back in 2009 I wrote a bit about a product called A to Z Calm, which contains magnesium, derived from seawater. The magnesium, when combined with calcium, improves the body's ability to handle stress. Magnesium is a natural muscle and nervous system relaxant when used in appropriate doses.

Since I'd been having trouble falling asleep also, I went to my local health food store and bought a bottle of plain magnesium powder, called Mag-Relax. I bought it and tried it the same night. I slept great that night, very relaxed and tired. Unfortunately, the next morning my legs felt really heavy and I moved even slower than usual while doing my usual morning routine.  (Hence the sarcastic label I applied retrospectively to that post...I felt I should warn people.)

However, not wanting to give up so soon on experiencing the health benefits of magnesium, I tried taking it again a few days later. This time, I added a dash of baking soda (to alkalinize my system, since I'd been eating sugar) and swallowed a B-complex vitamin with my (admittedly nasty tasting) magnesium water, and woke up feeling unusually energetic and clear-headed. I titrated the dose down to a third of the recommended 615 mg. per serving, and started taking a morning dose as well, with half the B vitamin.

I'm now on the fourth day of this regimen, and continue to have much more energy, concentration than the previous several weeks. Another unexpected benefit is a loss of weight, because of (1) increased elimination (magnesium is a laxative in larger doses). Also, (2) my appetite and hunger sensations have strongly decreased. I don't feel shaky or weak either, if I happen to miss a full meal.

I'm thinking I will continue to take magnesium and B-complex supplements to naturally relieve my depression and fatigue. The results have really been impressive, especially considering how tired and unproductive I had been feeling. 

For an abstract of a 2010 study showing the positive healing effects of magnesium citrate on inflammatory stress related to poor sleep, click the link.

For a less-expensive alternative to Mag-Relax, look for Cal Mag Magnesium Citrate powder with calcium. It's available at many supermarkets and natural foods stores.

Cal-Mag Calcium & Magnesium supplement to relieve stress and boost energy