Vitamin D has numerous functions, including acting as an antioxidant that protects the mitochondria as they process lipids with oxygen and generate the essential cellular energy molecule ATP. In effect, the mitochondria are like small furnaces or refineries.
Of course, any furnace or refinery needs maintenance. That is where magnesium comes in, repairing damaged mitochondria, eliminating ones that cannot be repaired, and building new ones as replacements. A chronic deficiency of magnesium leads to an accumulation of defective and malformed mitochondria.
In addition, magnesium is required in over a thousand enzymatic processes in the cell that create the proteins and hormones essential to health.
The problem with magnesium blood tests is that the mineral is tightly regulated so blood values are rarely classed as abnormal. Most magnesium is contained within cells and assessing levels there requires expensive specialized MRI type testing that is rarely insured or available in clinical practice. Unrecognized magnesium deficiencies are common.
The problem with magnesium supplements is that most are relatively worthless because magnesium does not easily pass the GI system or reach the bloodstream in forms that can be absorbed into cells. The amino acid chelates of magnesium L-threonate and magnesium glycinate are exceptions, as is magnesium taurate. They are the forms of magnesium to take. I prefer the threonate because it more readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
If you want to try the supplements that I suggest, I will make more detailed guidance through private mail. I warn that I am not a doctor, just someone who seems to be a little farther along in dealing with similar health issues.
Mag does help some- nothing to write home about for me- (I’d say it gives me roughly a 10%, maybe 15% boost in energy- and is the only thing I found that really does help some) but my doc warned me to avoid because of the kidney issues- Something about not being able to excrete it like normal people- making it risk for too much magnesium- i don’t really recall now-
I do go very low in D- down to 8 one year- went on high dose- got it back up to where it was ‘sposed to be- D will also cause stones- but i noted when taking with K, it didn’t do it as much-