…that a chelated form of magnesium (e.g. magnesium glycinate) can improve: blood pressure, insulin resistance, constipation, leg cramps, muscle spasms, increase calcium absorption, activate the cells that build bone and calm nervousness?

This is not the standard magnesium that you get at the grocery store or over-the-counter at the pharmacy. It is usually found at health food stores or online.

Magnesium glycinate is a good example of this chelated form of magnesium and the dosage depends on each patients need. You cannot draw a simple blood level of magnesium to assess need. An RBC-magnesium level can tell the provider if you are appropriately filling your stores as magnesium is primarily stored inside cells. Drawing a simple serum blood level of magnesium will not measure this stored level of this mineral.

Achieving good stored levels of magnesium can be acomplished by having patients start out taking a 100mg capsule or tablet twice daily. Increases in the dosage can be made by one capsule or tablet every 3 days until the patient has 1-2 soft bowel movements daily.

If the patient develops diarrhea, reduce the dosage by one capsule or tablet, or you can change forms of magnesium by soaking in Epsom salt 1-2 cups in a tub bath for 20-30 minutes 3-5 days per week. The magnesium will be absorbed directly across the skin into the muscles. This works especially well for leg cramps.