Did You Know? Magnesium & Parkinson’s

Magnesium is a mineral that is necessary for the body to function properly. Our bodies need adequate levels of magnesium for energy production, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. Magnesium also contributes to the maintenance of normal bone density and supports a healthy immune system.

A recent study linked low levels of magnesium to an increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s. The symptoms of magnesium deficiency often mirror Parkinson’s symptoms, including insomnia, fatigue and weakness; muscle cramps, spasms and twitches; restless leg syndrome; confusion, irritability, anxiety, and depression; a loss of appetite; and difficulty breathing.

If you experience Parkinson’s symptoms like muscle cramps or spasms in the middle of the night, muscular fatigue, or even low appetite, these can be related to a magnesium deficiency. Muscles lacking sufficient magnesium are unable to relax, leading to those painful contractions in the hands and feet that some people with Parkinson’s know all too well. 

There are a number of ways to increase your magnesium levels. You can often get enough magnesium through your diet. Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale are great sources of magnesium, along with nuts and seeds, like almonds (great for brain health), cashews, and pumpkin seeds.

You can also get some magnesium from whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, as well as legumes, such as black beans and lentils. 

It’s not always possible to get enough magnesium through food and diet. If you are considering magnesium supplements, be sure to talk about it with your doctor. Magnesium can affect certain medications and holds relevance in health conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and a number of other conditions. 

According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, the daily recommended dietary allowance of magnesium for adults is 400 to 420 milligrams for males and 310 to 320 milligrams for females. 

People with Parkinson’s may hear about the compound magnesium l-threonate. Early animal testing suggests this compound has neuroprotective benefits and that it may pass through the blood-brain barrier more easily than other forms of magnesium. 

Magnesium comes in many forms and is often taken orally. It can have a laxative or antacid effect. For example, common forms of magnesium include Tums, Alka-Seltzer, and Milk of Magnesia. Magnesium is even present in Epsom Salts, which are often added to baths to ease muscle soreness. 

As with any supplement, it’s important to check with your doctor about whether and how to add magnesium to your diet.