The Best Magnesium Orotate: Shopping Guide and Recommendations (09/21)

Below are 4 of the central functions of magnesium. Some of them are used by doctors to support the therapy of certain diseases by taking magnesium. In some cases, magnesium can alleviate symptoms. It is also used as a preventive measure to prevent certain diseases (1, 2).

Ensuring muscle function and muscle relaxation

The mineral and electrolyte magnesium is responsible for relaxing the muscles. Magnesium acts as a kind of "counterpart" to calcium, which is also both a mineral and an electrolyte, and thus a conductor. A balanced electrolyte balance is important to maintain the healthy function of muscles. Among other things, the mineral magnesium enables communication between nerves and muscles (3).

Ensuring bone health

Even though relatively little magnesium is stored in our bones, it is important for maintaining healthy bones. Those who had too low magnesium concentrations in their blood when they were young often suffer from osteoporosis (4, 5).

Activation of cell fuel

Magnesium activates the cellular fuel ATP in our body. On the one hand, magnesium is involved in its synthesis, and on the other hand, in its storage and release (2).

Activation of enzymes

Magnesium also activates about 600 different enzymes in its function as a co-enzyme. Magnesium is therefore jointly responsible for many reactions that would otherwise not be possible (2).

A balanced diet can counteract a magnesium deficiency. Unfortunately, however, this is not always enough. Once the body is severely deficient in magnesium, it is not easy to bring the magnesium level back to the target value through food alone.

Possible signs of magnesium deficiency

Observable symptoms of a magnesium deficiency can be the following:

• Muscle twitching (e.g. eyelid)
• Calf and muscle cramps
• Muscle tension
• Numbness / tingling in parts of the body such as fingers or individual muscles

Even if excess magnesium is in principle excreted from our body, an overdose is conceivable. This can be the case if the excretion mechanism does not function correctly. As with a deficiency, a chronic overdose will also lead to corresponding complaints (8, 9).

Common side effects tend to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Taking magnesium can typically cause soft stools and even diarrhoea. The tolerance of magnesium can vary from person to person.

Taking potassium, another mineral, can increase the absorption of the magnesium compound by acting as a vasodilator. This should further enhance the effect of the magnesium supplement. These properties of potassium also play an important role in your blood pressure (16). Before taking magnesium orotate, however, you should always consult a doctor and discuss the question of dosage with him or her. This is especially true if you are already taking medication. Only a doctor should coordinate different medications with each other.

The study also found no negative effects on a positive course of pregnancy and the successful birth of the children. In fact, the magnesium requirement is considered to be increased during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is therefore gratifying that there are also particularly suitable preparations for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers on the market.

Children's needs are on a spectrum. At the latest during puberty, their needs then equalise with those of adults. Foods that are particularly rich in magnesium include soft drinks, various nuts and wholemeal and dairy products.

This means combination preparations, on the other hand, contain several substances with their own effect.

Magnesium orotate as a monopreparation

A monopreparation is not a mixture of medicinal substances. The production process is limited to just one active ingredient.

Certain excipients that do not have a pharmacological effect remain necessary in some cases in the production of the preparation.

Magnesium orotate as a combination preparation

Special combination preparations can contain other minerals or vitamins. These are sometimes very highly dosed.

Your doctor is the best person to tell you which substances you really need. He or she will also be able to alert you to certain interactions. Because more substances can potentially mean more interactions in the body.

The choice of the right magnesium compound depends largely on the complaints experienced. This is because the substances with which magnesium can form a compound are more or less suitable for a specific complaint.