Supplementing both magnesium and melatonin together would promote a longer, deeper, and more restful sleep. Magnesium would help nourish the metabolic activities in the body, as well as relax the muscles and nerves without unpleasant side effects as opposed to other muscle relaxers.
When it comes to whether you can take both magnesium and melatonin at the same time, the short answer is yes. Since both supplements have different effects on the body, they can be combined for improved sleep quality. However, be careful not to exceed the recommended doses of either supplement.
You can also try magnesium supplements to improve sleep, Dimitriu says. The recommended supplement dose is between 270 mg to 350 mg for men and 280 mg to 300 mg for women. However, do not exceed the upper tolerable limit of 350 mg a day or you may experience abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Magnesium can decrease the absorption and effectiveness of numerous medications, including some common antibiotics such as tetracycline (Achromycin, Sumycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox) and ofloxacin ...
Both melatonin and magnesium can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, but magnesium may be better at improving overall sleep quality.
Melatonin will more directly affect your sleep and likely have a stronger affect on sleep habits compared to magnesium, which will mainly just help relax you before bed. “It may be best to try magnesium first to help calm you before you rest at night,” Avena says.
“Essentially, magnesium helps set the stage for sleep by calming the body and preparing it to sleep,” says Harris. Melatonin, on the other hand, when taken directly, impacts your body's circadian rhythm and hormonal regulation of sleep.
Magnesium does not react with water to any significant extent. This is in contrast with calcium, immediately below magnesium in the periodic table, which does react slowly with cold water.
Magnesium helps relax muscles and calm the brain, which can help you to sleep better. But, unlike melatonin, it won't actually make you drowsy or feel sleepy.
Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term.
Melatonin lasts for about four hours before it's 95 percent absorbed by your body, meaning you'll want to take your melatonin supplement 30 minutes to two hours before you plan to sleep for the best results.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may lower levels of melatonin in the blood. Steroids and immunosuppressant medications. Melatonin may cause these medication to lose their effectiveness. DO NOT take melatonin with corticosteroids or other medications used to suppress the immune system.
Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting. Combining use of melatonin with them might increase the risk of bleeding.
Supplement interactions: Taking melatonin with other supplements that have sedative properties (including St. John's wort and valerian) may increase the effects and side effects of melatonin.
Phytates in the diet bind to magnesium and impair its absorption. However the quantities present in normal diet do not affect magnesium absorption. Other dietary factors that are thought to affect magnesium absorption are oxalate, phosphate, proteins, potassium and zinc.
Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal.
When taken in combination, magnesium and zinc have mutual benefits. Magnesium helps the body regulate its zinc levels, while zinc ensures that magnesium is absorbed effectively by the body. Zinc is important to digest food, boost the immune system, synthesize proteins, and keep bones strong and healthy.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Magnesium is important for maintaining muscle and nervous system function, cardiac electrical properties, and for supporting immune system as well as regulating glucose and insulin metabolism [2,3].
Natural alternatives to melatonin, such as magnesium, valerian root, l-theanine, chamomile, and passionflower, are all-natural remedies that have been used for centuries to promote relaxation and help people get a better night's sleep.
Melatonin does tend to have less risky potential side effects than certain prescription sleep aids, Grandner says, but he adds that “melatonin is not a good alternative to prescription sleep medications. It does not work as a sedative and it is ineffective in most cases of insomnia.”
Although many people use magnesium for sleep support, it isn't known to cause tiredness during the day. However, if you want to maximize the benefits for better sleep, it's best to take your magnesium supplement an hour or two before bedtime.