Choosing the Right Type of Magnesium for B12 Deficiency Support
Explore the benefits of magnesium glycinate and other forms in managing B12 deficiency. Understand their roles in metabolic processes and bioavailability to better tailor your supplementation needs. Consult with healthcare providers for dosage adjustments or alternatives.
What type of magnesium (Cofactor)
I know magnesium is a cofactor I should be taking along with other things to treat my terrible b12 deficiency.
There are so many types of magnesium. I take magnesium's glycinate at night. Is this adequate? Each pill (I take 1) is 120mg.
Magnesium is an essential cofactor in numerous biochemical processes, including those related to energy production and neurotransmitter function, which can influence how your body uses Vitamin B12. The form of magnesium you are using, magnesium glycinate, is one of the most bioavailable forms, meaning it is easily absorbed by the body1.
While magnesium glycinate is an excellent choice for general supplementation due to its high absorption rate and gentle effect on the stomach, there are other forms of magnesium with specific benefits. For example, magnesium citrate is often used for its mild laxative effect for individuals dealing with constipation. Magnesium oxide is less bioavailable but can be effective for heartburn and indigestion.
There isn't a specific type of magnesium recommended solely for Vitamin B12 deficiency. However, maintaining adequate magnesium levels helps support the overall metabolic processes, including those involving B122. If you feel your current dosage is insufficient, or if you are experiencing lingering symptoms of deficiency, you may want to discuss with a healthcare provider about adjusting your magnesium dosage or exploring other forms or combinations, such as pairing with Vitamin B6, which has been shown to improve certain metabolic functions when combined with magnesium3.
Footnotes
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Etienne Pouteau, "Superiority of magnesium and vitamin B6 over magnesium alone on severe stress in healthy adults with low magnesemia: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial," PubMed Central, 2018. ↩
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Lionel Noah, "Effect of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation on mental health and quality of life in stressed healthy adults," PubMed Central, 2021. ↩
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Lionel Noah, "Effect of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation on mental health and quality of life in stressed healthy adults: Post‐hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial," PubMed Central, 2021. ↩
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