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Why Magnesium With Vitamin B6 Could Be Your New Sleep Saviour

Why Magnesium With Vitamin B6 Could Be Your New Sleep Saviour

The vitamin duo has received rave reviews online for helping with insomnia...

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara Sheppard

If you struggle to get to sleep but reckon you've tried every hack in the book - from special ointments to apps and pillows that promise to send you off in minutes - don't give up just yet.

People are touting the benefits of supplements that help you drift off and there's one in particular that's doing the rounds: magnesium with B6.

Magnesium is one of the most vital nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. As well as being important for regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels and blood pressure, it is thought to promote a feeling of drowsiness.

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It works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system - that's the system responsible for making you feel relaxed. It also regulates your melatonin levels, the hormone responsible for your sleep cycle.

According to devotees, when paired with Vitamin B6 - which helps the body produce melatonin - you have yourself a dynamo sleep-inducing duo supplement.

Dr Jeff Foster, a private GP, told Pretty52: "Magnesium has several neuro-modulator effects on the body, and is supposed to aid in sleep.

"There are various studies that have looked at supplementation of magnesium (usually around 500 mg) and there are some studies that show improvement in the insomnia severity index, sleep time, sleep efficiency, and sleep onset latency. It is important to note that evidence for magnesium is there but is not great."

He explains that one study found "dietary magnesium consumption was inversely associated with falling asleep during the day in women but not in men."

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So there's lot of evidence that magnesium helps sleep, but the same can't be said for B6. Still, many users are touting the benefits of the combo online.

If you still want to give it a go, many supplement brands will sell their own version of magnesium with B6, which you can find in pharmacies and health shops such as Holland & Barrett.

One option is Solgar, which you can buy fo £4.88 on Amazon. The magnesium and B6 vitamins have received 74 per cent five star reviews on the shopping website so far.

"Was not sleeping due to restless legs but since taking this product my sleep has improved have recommend to all my family and friends," wrote one happy customer.

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"My friend told me to try it and it's really good. I feel lot calmer and I wish I started earlier. I really recommend it!," said another.

"Top up with Epsom salt bath.... bliss... and get a good night's sleep," wrote a third.

Some claimed the supplement had been working wonders for cramps.

"Really good supplement. I have started taking magnesium because I tend to get really bad leg cramps. Since I started the Magnesium I have not gotten any leg cramps," said one reviewer.

Struggle with your sleep or cramps? Better click order on this one...

Featured Image Credit: Pexels

Topics: health news, Health