Magnesium deficiency and stress: a vicious cycle
Low levels of magnesium increase your susceptibility to the physical damage caused by stress, and the effect of stress can contribute to lower levels of magnesium. So a vicious cycle is set up: low magnesium worsens stress, and stress lowers magnesium.
The good news is that taking magnesium has a protective effect and it is the main ingredient in Medlab’s Mg Optima Relax. Magnesium works alongside the other ingredients in Mg Optima Relax to enhance the effect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It promotes relaxation during times of stress.
Mg Optima Relax by Medlab contains:
- Magnesium bisglycinate – Magnesium activates the calming GABA receptors in the brain, while the glycine acts to send inhibitory messages in the brain to help to relax you and promote sleep.
- Glutamine - the building block for GABA
- Theanine – an amino acid from green tea that may promote relaxation by inducing alpha wave activity in the brain.
- Vitamin B6 – the activated form of this vitamin is pyridoxal 5 phosphate. It helps to convert the building block glutamate into GABA.
- Zinc – also needed for the activation of glutamate.
Mg Optima Relax is indicated for:
- Stress, mild anxiety and nervous tension
- May help to reduce the frequency of migraines
- Relief of muscular aches and pains
Magnesium has many other roles in the body including:
- Acting as a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme reactions, including those involved in glucose utilisation, synthesis of fat, proteins, nucleic acid and coenzymes, muscle contraction, methyl group transfer and many other processes.
- Energy production, muscle contraction and relaxation, nerve function and neurotransmitter release.
- Normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels
Early signs of magnesium deficiency may include:
- fatigue and weakness
- numbness and tingling
- muscle contractions and cramps
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
Side effects
- Magnesium supplements can occasionally stomach upset and diarrhoea in some people.
- Caution should be used in patients with kidney problems as poorly functioning kidneys do not excrete magnesium from the body well leading to dangerous levels of serum magnesium levels
- Vitamin B6 may cause peripheral neuropathy when taken at more than 200 mg per day for a prolonged period of time.
Medlab Optima Relax is available to members in 2 sizes:
Contact Us
Phone: 1300 882 303
Email: info@naturalchemist.com.au
References:
Galland, 1992 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1844561)
White, 2016 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26797633)