Christen WG, Glynn RJ, Chew EY, Albert CM, Manson JE. Folic acid, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin combination treatment and age-related macular degeneration in women: the Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):335-341. People with low magnesium levels are more likely to experience sleep problems, such as difficulties falling or staying asleep, and magnesium supplements have been shown to improve sleep. One 3-month study in 42 people with diabetes found that supplementing with 250 mg of magnesium per day in the form of magnesium gluconate, oxide, and lactate improved levels of insulin, insulin resistance, and hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control ( 22).

Lastly, vitamin B6 deficiency has been linked to poor immunity. Your immune system requires vitamin B6 to produce bacteria-fighting white blood cells, and it enhances their ability to combat infection and inflammation ( 22, 23, 24). May aid blood sugar control If you're pregnant, trying for a baby, or could get pregnant, it's recommended that you take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement daily until you're 12 weeks pregnant. To add to that, we throw in vitamin B6, which converts homocysteine—a byproduct of amino acid metabolism—to less toxic compounds. You should be able to get the amount of beta-carotene you need from your daily diet. What happens if I take too much beta-carotene? The most important thing to consider before deciding on a supplement is its absorption rate, or how well the supplement is absorbed by your body.More research is needed to understand the effectiveness of vitamin B6 in treating anemia in populations other than those at increased risk for B vitamin deficiency, such as pregnant women and older adults Suggested uses: Bath and foot soak to ease muscle aches, relaxation and stress relief, constipation And because B6 is needed for converting homocysteine to methionine, supplementing with it (and other B vitamins) can reduce the risk by as much as 40% 38. Due to its laxative effect, milk of magnesia is generally used to treat acute constipation and not usually recommended for chronic cases.

Folic acid supplements need to be taken before you get pregnant, so start taking them before you stop using contraception or if there's a chance you might get pregnant. You should be able to get the amount of beta-carotene you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. The following sections discuss the function of magnesium in the body and its effects on a person’s health. 1. Bone health Studies have linked high blood levels of circulating homocysteine with an increased risk of AMD ( 40, 41).

Abstract

However, women who received a placebo also reported improved PMS symptoms, which suggests that the effectiveness of the vitamin B6 supplement may have been due in part to a placebo effect ( 23). The group that took B6 and folic acid had lower homocysteine levels and less abnormal heart tests during exercise than the placebo group, putting them at an overall lower risk of heart disease ( 31).