Q. Dear Terry, “I’m interested in trying magnesium to help with muscle spasms and cramps. Is there a specific type of magnesium I should look for? And is magnesium safe to take daily? ”– Wyatt S., Providence, RI

A. Dear Wyatt, Magnesium deficiency may impact as many as 80 percent of the U.S. population. Our food is grown in depleted soils and magnesium is often stripped from foods during processing. This is alarming because magnesium supports a strong mind and body in virtually every way.

One of the biggest culprits for decreasing magnesium is stress. Stress can lead to magnesium depletion and the magnesium depletion then leads to greater stress levels and risk of depression. On a positive note, research shows that magnesium supplementation – including a glycinate form, which is the kind I prefer – can speed recovery from depression symptoms in as little as seven days.

Magnesium is also essential for a healthy heart, relieving cramps and post-exercise pain, decreasing restless legs, improving energy, reducing migraines, and supporting many other processes in the body.

Magnesium works synergistically with vitamin B6 and zinc. I prefer vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P) in combination with magnesium glycinate and zinc glycinate. P-5-P is the biologically active form of vitamin B6. It is hard for me to think of any health concern that would not benefit from bioactive and readily utilized magnesium, P-5-P, and zinc. By incorporating all three into your daily regimen, you can make a profound improvement in your health.

I would take 10 mg of vitamin B6 (as P-5-P), 100 mg of magnesium (as magnesium bisglycinate chelate), and 5 mg of zinc (as zinc bisglycinate chelate) up to four times per day.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally