Magnesium is one of the minerals that is abundant in the human body, and magnesium oxide is one of the forms of magnesium most used as an oral supplement. Supplementing with magnesium oxide can provide various benefits, making it the right fit for you depending on your health needs.
What Is Magnesium Oxide?
Magnesium oxide is a compound made up of magnesium combined with oxygen. The body benefits from taking in a few different magnesium compounds, magnesium oxide being one of them. The recommended daily intake of magnesium oxide for healthy adults is between 310 and 420 milligrams.
There are multiple reasons to take magnesium oxide, and one of them is simply to raise your body’s magnesium levels. While magnesium oxide could help remedy a magnesium deficiency, other forms of magnesium are better suited for remedying a severe magnesium deficiency, since the body doesn’t absorb magnesium oxide the same way it does other forms of magnesium. However, magnesium oxide still has clear benefits for some people who aren’t taking in enough magnesium.
Benefits of Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide supplementation can fill in the gaps where a magnesium deficiency and certain minor ailments coincide, and help remedy them. Here is a look at some of the potential benefits of supplementing with magnesium oxide.
Relieving constipation: Magnesium oxide can relieve constipation because it has a natural laxative effect. It can even be more effective than some typical OTC laxatives. It’s helpful for two reasons. Firstly, magnesium oxide relaxes muscles in the digestive tract, which supports the movement of stool. Secondly, it helps regulate water retention, such that healthy digestion is supported.
Treating headaches could be achieved by taking magnesium oxide. A magnesium deficiency can lead to migraine headaches. Studies have shown that taking a magnesium oxide supplement regularly can reduce the frequency of migraines. In fact, it could be as effective at relieving migraines as some migraine medications. This is because it can help make up for a magnesium deficiency, and also specifically because the magnesium ions in this compound might interrupt the brain signals that cause migraines.
Preventing muscle cramps is another potential benefit of taking magnesium oxide. This form of magnesium contributes to muscle contraction, and helps to prevent muscle spasms. Magnesium ions in magnesium oxide interact with calcium levels in smooth muscle tissue, resulting in the proper balance of these nutrients, which is necessary for healthy muscle control.
Improving depression & anxiety: Magnesium deficiency negatively affects the production of GABA, a neurotransmitter which contributes to the production of good-mood hormone serotonin. Supplementing with magnesium oxide has been shown to help mitigate both anxiety and depression, in those who don’t take in sufficient magnesium in their diet.
Regulating blood pressure: Some studies show that taking a magnesium oxide supplement can reduce high blood pressure. This is because of positive interactions between it and calcium, which can help the body to relax.
If you experience any of the issues mentioned above, and have or are at risk for a magnesium deficiency, then you should consider a magnesium oxide supplement. It’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking this supplement for the first time, since it can interact with some medications.