Did you know there are many different types of magnesium? All of the types are used to treat various symptoms of various ailments, including migraines, magnesium deficiency, constipation, and muscle relaxers. So, what is the best magnesium to take for headaches? Let’s find out!
A Little About Magnesium First
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body. It’s involved in over 300 metabolic reactions that are essential for your health, including energy production, blood pressure regulation, nerve signal transmission, and muscle contraction. With all of those reactions, it means magnesium changes in your body (and outside of it). Let’s break them down by type to find out what they do, and which one is best for headache relief.
The Best Magnesium for Headaches
In 2012, the American Headache Society and the American Academy of Neurology reviewed the studies on medications used for migraine prevention and gave magnesium a Level B rating. That means it is “probably effective” for most people and should be considered for migraine and headache relief.
If you’re worried about taking too much, we hear you. Too much magnesium from foods isn’t a concern for healthy adults. However, taking high doses of magnesium supplements or medications can cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Always talk with your doctor before taking new supplements consistently.
So which are best for headaches? Let’s look at the most common forms of magnesium to find out.
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium Citrate is actually an acid, like the type you find in citrus fruit. It’s actually what gives oranges, limes, and lemons their sour flavor.
Outside of its taste, Magnesium citrate is one of the most popular types of magnesium supplements and easily absorbed by your body. It’s mainly used to raise magnesium levels and treat constipation, but not much else.
Survey says: not great for headaches.
Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide is a salt that combines magnesium and oxygen. It forms naturally and is usually sold in a powder or capsule. It’s also the main active ingredient in milk of magnesia, a popular over-the-counter medication for constipation relief. It does not digest well, which is why it’s used to flush out your system, so to speak.
However, magnesium oxide has other uses when it’s not taken orally. In fact, when taken through an IV, magnesium oxide is most frequently used to prevent migraines.
Scientists believe that magnesium oxide blocks signals in your brain that lead to migraines with an aura, or changes in vision and other senses. Research also suggests that magnesium stops certain chemicals that cause pain.
What’s more, a drop in magnesium levels also seems to cause blood vessels in the brain to narrow, or constrict, which may also play a role in migraine. However, magnesium oxide isn’t great for boosting your magnesium levels unless you’re taking it in an IV, so it may not be a fast remedy for deficiencies.
Survey says: Great at treating migraines, but not readily available unless you call us to come to you.
Magnesium Chloride
Don’t be scared away by the “chloride” in the name. While magnesium chloride does contain chlorine, it’s safe for you to consume. It’s actually a salt that is used in a few multi-purpose supplements.
That’s because magnesium chloride is very versatile. You can use it to treat low magnesium levels, heartburn, and constipation. It has also been utilized in the treatment of vascular headaches (also known as migraines) as well.
Magnesium chloride is most frequently taken in capsule or tablet, but is also sometimes used in topical products like lotions and ointments to help soothe sore muscles and relieve muscle cramps. When given in an IV, it absorbs much faster and you’ll feel the effects almost immediately.
This is the type we use in IV Revival! Give us a call and our nurses will come right to your door so you don’t have to worry about driving to a clinic. They’ll hook up the IV and you can stay comfortable in bed or on the couch.
Survey says: Good for tension headaches and vascular headaches/migraines.
Magnesium Undergoing Further Research
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, magnesium has a ton of different types. So many, in fact, that a lot of them are still being heavily researched to learn more about how they interact with the body. While some studies look promising, there is simply not enough medical research to prove these have any positive effects on headaches, constipation, magnesium deficiency, or as muscle relaxers.
These types are magnesium malate, magnesium lactate, magnesium taurate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium orotate, and magnesium L-threonate. If you see these on product labels, we recommend skipping them and looking for one of the types we listed earlier in this blog.
As always, we hope this blog helped you. If you need migraine or headache relief fast, then give us a call. Our registered nurses will be at your door in a jiffy to provide you with the relief you need. Book an appointment online or give us a call today at 602-755-9525.