If you’re constantly tired no matter how much sleep you receive, it can be quite frustrating., but one doctor has turned to social media to propose a solution for this issue.
Dr. Ahmed, a UK-based general practitioner with over 280,000 followers on TikTok, has identified a common deficiency that may explain your ongoing fatigue.
He explained: “Are you tired all the time? You’ve tried everything, nothing’s working, all your tests have come back normal? But wait, before you give up, this is one mineral that’s probably low even if it comes back normal in your blood test that you’ll benefit from if you try.”
He elaborated on why magnesium, an often-overlooked mineral, is significant for a good sleep: “This is often low in many people and can cause ongoing fatigue. And that mineral is magnesium. Even if you’ve done the magnesium blood test and it came back normal, that isn’t very accurate, and I’ll explain why.”
Dr. Ahmed clarified the problem with standard testing methods: “Only one percent of magnesium is in your blood. The vast majority of it is intracellular inside your cells. So even if your magnesium blood level is within the normal range you can still be deficient in it.
“The only way to accurately measure your magnesium levels is by doing a 24 hour urine collection and because of the cumbersome nature of doing this it is very rarely done.”
Dr. Ahmed also emphasised the essential role of magnesium in supporting more than 300 enzyme systems in the body. This includes its contribution to protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and glucose management, reports the Express.
He elaborated: “Hence, if you’re deficient you may well be feeling tired. Because of over-farming, chronic diseases and medication the prevalence of magnesium deficiency is vast across the human population.”
The TikTok concluded with Dr. Ahmed recommending a trial of magnesium supplements to possibly boost energy levels and alleviate persistent fatigue. He highlighted that understanding the various forms of magnesium is essential for maintaining health, giving his insight to them all.
Different types of magnesium
Magnesium citrate
Speaking about magnesium Dr Ahmed notes that it is: “the most well-absorbed out of all the supplements. However, be careful because it can cause diarrhoea. So therefore if you’re constipated it’s good and some studies show it can help with migraines too”.
Magnesium glycinate
This form of magnesium is helpful for sleep and mood problems, as Dr. Ahmed explained: “Glycine is both an amino acid and neurotransmitter. Therefore, this supplement particularly helps with poor sleep and low mood.”
Magnesium L- threonate
Concerning magnesium L-threonate, Dr. Ahmed noted: “This is the only supplement that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it really helps with cognition and memory.”
Magnesium taurate
The doctor highlights that this form of magnesium is interesting, explaining it can: “help with blood pressure control and sugar management, however more studies are needed”, suggesting that it could be beneficial for people who experience high blood pressure and are diabetic.
Magnesium sulfate
Regarding magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt, Dr. Ahmed stated that it’s an excellent option for individuals who have trouble taking tablets, saying: “You put them in your bath and you can actually absorb the magnesium through your skin.”
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