Magnesium and Turmeric: Benefits and Side Effects

The benefits of both magnesium and turmeric seem endless. These supplements have been around for decades and continue to provide us with several health benefits, which we will explain in this article.

Aside from being excellent dietary supplements, magnesium and turmeric can provide relief from chronic pain and migraines. They have also been shown to assist in weight loss.

In this article, we will also look at the possible side effects of taking magnesium and turmeric and whether or not they can be taken together.

Health Benefits of Magnesium and Turmeric

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 body functions and offers the following benefits, just to mention a few:

  • Manages blood sugar levels
  • Improves brain performance
  • Converts the glucose in food into energy
  • Helps convert amino acids into protein
  • Relaxes muscles and nerves

Turmeric also comes with numerous benefits and this is mainly due to its active ingredient curcumin. Here are some of its clinically proven health benefits:

  • Its strong antioxidant properties can help neutralise free radicals
  • Works well against inflammation in the body
  • Effective at reducing pain, particularly joint pains
  • Improves cognitive functions
  • Helps treat cancer by preventing the spread of cancer and contributing to the death of cancerous cells
  • Good antimicrobial when applied to skin ailments such as acne

Magnesium and Turmeric for Chronic Pain

Magnesium can be especially helpful for chronic pain as it helps offset the effects of calcium. This relaxes muscles and nerves and taking magnesium also acts to calm nerve receptors that are overstimulated.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis pain and are deficient in magnesium you will particularly benefit from supplementing, as it’s been shown that higher magnesium intake can reduce pain.

Introducing turmeric along with magnesium supplement will also help manage chronic pain as turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory and eases chronic pain without the possible side effects of over-the-counter products such as ibuprofen.

Magnesium and Turmeric for Migraines

According to studies, folks who suffer from migraines tend to have much lower magnesium levels than those who do not suffer. Those with lower magnesium levels tend to have blood vessels that constrict easily, one of the biggest triggers of a migraine.

It is believed that magnesium blocks certain signals to the brain that can lead to migraine symptoms, and magnesium also seems to prevent certain chemicals in the brain from causing pain.

Turmeric can also aid in migraine relief as curcuminoids have potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which are helpful in treating migraines.

Turmeric can also improve vascular function, which is beneficial to those who get migraines due to high blood pressure. With improved circulation and lower blood pressure, these people may find relief.

Magnesium and Turmeric for Weight Loss

Magnesium can help improve insulin and blood sugar levels in overweight people but it also helps with water retention and bloating. A magnesium supplement can aid in weight loss, as long as it is paired with a good diet and exercise plan.

Turmeric supplements can also aid in weight loss as studies suggest that curcumin may reduce inflammation in the obese. Turmeric can also reduce the growth of fat tissue and heighten one’s sensitivity to insulin.

Side Effects of Taking Magnesium and Turmeric

Taking magnesium supplements is generally safe for most people. Some people have reported nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting as possible side effects.

Turmeric supplements are also reasonably safe. People have reported diarrhea and nausea, and turmeric may pose a risk of ulcers if taken in high doses. Pregnant women should also avoid taking turmeric.

Can Magnesium and Turmeric be Taken Together?

Magnesium and turmeric can be taken together and will work to help support your heart and nervous system.

The daily amount of magnesium recommended for adults is 400-420 mg for men and 310-320 mg for women. For turmeric, the recommended amount to be taken is at least 500 mg, twice a day.

What is better magnesium or turmeric?

If you are trying to establish which is better magnesium or turmeric, this really depends on what you are trying to use them for. Both magnesium and turmeric are excellent supplements, and they each work for different things.

If you suffer from migraines, then magnesium is best for you, and if you suffer from chronic pain, then turmeric is your best bet. However, in many cases, you will get the most benefit by using them both together, particularly if you suffer from chronic pain.

References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turmeric-dosage
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507270/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric
https://www.drugs.com/npc/turmeric.html 
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
https://ard.bmj.com/content/76/Suppl_2/958.3

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