While this macro-mineral is easily obtained from many foods, magnesium deficiencies are extremely common for many Americans. Alcohol consumption, the presence of fluoride, and the consumption of certain foods either increase our need for magnesium, or decrease its absorption. Magnesium is not only one of the key nutrients required in both calcium utilization and protein synthesis, but it also plays a tremendous role in virtually every enzymatic reaction in our body. LifeSource’s Magnesium Citrate tabs are fast acting, safe and ideal for anyone who has their sights set on attaining optimal levels of this vital nutrient.*

• PRE-MENSTRUAL SYNDROME - Researchers have found that the combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 has significant effects on reducing anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms (nervous tension, mood swings, irritability, or anxiety). One of the ways in which vitamin B6 may relieve the symptoms of PMS is by increasing cellular magnesium levels.
• KIDNEY STONES - Magnesium citrate has been shown to increase the solubility of calcium oxalate and inhibit both calcium phosphate and oxalate stone formation. Many patients with recurrent oxalate stones show laboratory signs of vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 is known to reduce the production and urinary excretion of oxalates.
• DEPRESSION - Vitamin B6 nutritional status has a significant and selective modulatory impact on central production of both serotonin and GABA, neurotransmitters that control depression, pain perception, and anxiety. Vitamin B6 levels are often found to be low in women taking birth control pills or Premarin. It is likely that many millions of people taking Prozac may be suffering depression as a result of low B6 status.
• FATIGUE - An underlying magnesium deficiency, even if 'sub clinical', can result in chronic fatigue and symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Many chronic fatigue syndrome patients have been shown to have low red blood cell magnesium levels.
• MIGRAINE / TENSION HEADACHES - Several researchers link low magnesium levels with both migraine and tension headaches based on their theories and clinical observations. Reduced levels of magnesium are found in the serum, saliva and red blood cells of migraine sufferers, which indicates a need for supplementation because one of magnesium's key functions is maintenance of blood vessel tone.

Potential applications

Pre-menstrual tension, kidney stones, depression, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), neuro-muscular/skeletal disorders, migraine, nausea in pregnancy, hyperhomocysteinemia, osteoporosis, diabetic neuropathy, asthma (B6 is needed for tryptophan > serotonin metabolism - known to be disordered in asthmatics).

Known contraindications

Those with kidney or heart disease should consult their physician before using magnesium supplements. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take more than 100 mg of vitamin B6 per day without a doctor's supervision.

• a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others);
• a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), grepafloxacin (Raxar), and others;
• penicillamine (Cuprimine);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or
• nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin, others).