Hey all.

So I've been taking this excellent magnesium formula by Genestra called MagCal+.  It has calcium, magnesium (in the proper ratio), vitamin D and Valerian.  It's a REALLY good supplement.

I have noticed that my body really needs alot of magnesium. I take about 3 of these pills a day and if I go off it for a week.. I notice I'm not as calm and focused and I get very tight muscles.

Why would my body need so much magnesium?  

Hi Phred,
I also have a high need for magnesium. My son and I are both taking Natural Calm to help deal with foot and leg cramps during the night.  I noticed there's currently another thread started by a Type O with leg cramps.

Is this a Type O problem? I've had this thought in the back of my mind that maybe the Type O diet is lacking in magnesium or requires additional magnesium for some reason.  

Phred,
Part of the calmness you experience could be a result of the Valerian (a nervine).  Have you tried Cal-Mag without Valerian to see if there is a difference?

Ken

Yes I figured the valerian played a big part in the calmness... no complaints.  But the muscle cramps and tightness ESPECIALLY in my feet and legs has all but dissappeared.  My homeopath was the one that suggested a steady dose of this magnesium formula.  I posted to this group a while ago talking about leg/foot cramps but I didn't know about that stuff back then.

i also take magnesium sometimes but i do too get cramps when sleeping. very small cramps in fact sometimes dont notice them because they dont bother me.

however back in the day they were PAINFUL. who would have thought it was from poor health. wow.

I, too, have a greater need it seems.  I keep a bottle of magnesium with malic acid by the bed, and if I forget to take it, invariably, I begin getting cramps within an hour or two of going to bed.  Years ago, many years ago, when I was not eating right, I used to have muscle spasms.  Wry neck was one thing, and back spasms so I could not stand upright for days was another.  Somewhere along the line, I started eating a more varied diet and that went away, but the night cramps got worse, until I figured out what I needed more of.  I wonder too, if it is an O thing.  I notice I sometimes even get them in my hands during the day!  And I eat a lot of food with magnesium.  

Ya I sometimes find myself CRAVING almonds... another sure fire sign of magnesium deficiency.  I'm wondering if there is some kind of imbalance as well.

I need lots of magnesium, too.  I can't sleep without it & if I go longer without, I may get some leg cramps.  I seem to need around 1,000 mg, about the same as calcium.  The RDA is 2 to 1 cal-mag ratio, but I need about the same of each -- & I don't eat dairy!  I wish I had known that it was OK to take so much years ago.  I have lost a lot of sleep & productivity in my life.  [I'm finally going to order a small light box so I can get more sun energy, too.  After so many years, its about time!]
 I'm sure that I have posted before that a doctor that used to be on the radio recommended 2 to 1 mag-cal ratio.  I haven't gone that far, but maybe some of you may just need that!
Sae Salt & Light,
Mrs "T"    O+

Quoted from Mrs_T_O+

II have lost a lot of sleep & productivity in my life.  [I'm finally going to order a small light box so I can get more sun energy, too.  After so many years, its about time!]

Are you going to get a Litebook? It looks like a great product. I have considered getting one.

Can you all please share the brand names of the cal/mag supps that you have found? Thank you.

MagCal+ by Genestra

http://www.costlessvitamin.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1381&products_id=1532

Count me in on this need for magnesium! I thought maybe I was a rare bird, but apparently not. I seem to have a higher need than normal for magnesium. I take magnesium supps. daily, and many times have to take more at night to alleviate leg cramps. I do best when I take 2 300mg twice daily "Country Life" magnesium caps with silica:Magnesium (as magnesium oxide, aspartate, citrate,alpha-ketoglutarate, taurinate) and Horsetail extract. It's my understanding that the taurinate helps the body to absorb the magnesium without a lot of stomach upset. If someone knows of a better magnesium supplement, I'm all ears.

I also sometimes take Formula 303 in addition. This is a homeopathic supp. consisting of:6 parts Valerian Root (Quad -Strength)1x,3 parts Passiflora (Quad-Strength) 1x, 1 part Magnesium Carbonate 1x.

a handful of pumpkin seeds a day is very high in magnesium and beneficial for O's as well

Spinach and swiss chard also high in magnesium as well as beneficial for O's

I go with the pumpkin seeds also and spinach!

I do eat pumpkin seeds and spinach every day!!

Last night I had the worst leg cramps ever.  I wouldn't even put them in the category with cramps.  Something major.  I literally called out.  Could barely get the mag. bottle open and took two first, then they came back in an hour, and I took two more.  Then they woke me two hours later.  Each time I had to hobble around until they went away.  Even this morning when I awoke, my left foot and ankle was cramping.  My bottle says three caplets have 460 mgs. of magnesium.  I usually take just two at night.  I think I will start taking two mid day and two at night that should bring it up to 600.  Someone said they need 1000.  I eat a lot of nuts, and usually spinach, tho have not had that for several days.  I did have some dairy yesterday, last night, dessert.  We had company for dinner, and one of the guests brought a cherry cheesecake.  I know, a BIG no, no.  Needless to say, I could not resist.  Could that have been the reason?  Silly question.  I will never do that again!

Ya more often than not.. I've found my muscle cramps/spams/tightening got worse when I ate avoids or something I was allergic too.  From a naturopath I talked about this... APPARENTLY your body uses up alot of magnesium when dealing with a food intolerance/allergy.  I don't know if this would happen when having an avoid but I would also not be very surprised!

Trish,
I can relate. Those foot/leg cramps wake me right up and it's so painful. The muscles seem to be spasming or something. Walking around doesn't seem to help, either.

Last night after work it started happening while I was walking the dog. I had to head home and take some more magnesium. It took about a half hour before the magnesium calmed down my muscles.

I used to think it was caused from ballroom dancing, until I learned that it's a magnesium deficiency. I eat pumpkin seeds every day and no avoids.

Does anyone have any ideas why we're so deficient in magnesium to cause this?

swiss chard is great braised in some garlic and olive oil...

Also if you have cravings for chocolate you are deficient in magnesium...fyi...dark chocolate over 70% cocoa and organic is a great source of magnesium and a great detoxifier because of it's high polyphenol properties

magnesium is very important in getting rid of toxins out of your body...it supports phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification so if you need more your body is talking to you..

But doesn't chocolate rob your body of magnesium.... or is that coffee?

Ok, now I had another thought.....I remembered today that I had not had any wine for about 12 days.  I thought that I would save the 400 or so calories, and perhaps I would lose weight faster...didn't happen.  BUT, last night with our company, I had possibly 4 glasses of wine.  Would that have contributed to the spasms?  I know the cheesecake did, but did the wine make it worse?

I have to wonder if you all are low on potassium as well. Low potassium will def cause leg cramping FWIU.
Kinda have to wonder if RLS is a deficiency of magnesium and potassium. Hmmmmmmm...........

I am going to do some research, it just might be more than magnesium deficiency.  Will let you know if I find anything interesting, please do the same!

Wine definately give me twitchy, crampy legs, especially if I drink it after supper. If I have a glass as I make supper, I am usually fine, but then I am too sleepy to get anything done!  I have since decided to sip tea instead, and drink grape juice.

Ahh nothing like getting a little hosed on wine as your preparing dinner!