Metagenics Myocalm - 180 Tabs

• Supplies important minerals involved in muscular contraction and relaxation responses.
  
  
• May help relieve minor muscle pain associated with stress or physical exertion, and may prevent pregnancy-related nocturnal leg muscle cramps.
  
  
• Features extracts of passionflower and valerian for added relaxation support.

magnesium

Without magnesium the transmission of nerve and muscle impulses is compromised. This can lead to nervous disorders, depression and muscle weakness or twitches. Magnesium is a useful supplement for PMS symptoms that involves irritability and mood swings. Magnesium also decreases menstrual pain by relaxing the uterine muscles. In pregnancy magnesium acts as a uterine relaxant and can prevent premature labour.

Studies show supplemental magnesium in pregnancy also decreases the risk of birth defects such as cerebral palsy. Magnesium is an important mineral for cardiovascular health. It regulates the heartbeat, prevents the calcification of arteries and relaxes arterial vessels to prevent hypertension. Magnesium has also been researched for its ability to reduce cholesterol, protect against osteoporosis and supports healthy cell growth.

Magnesium can be found as a lone mineral, usually in tablet or capsule form (rarely as a powder). Chelated or citrated magnesium supplements are easier for the body to use and can be taken with or without food. Chelated simply means that magnesium is bonded to a protein molecule, for example aspartate or glycinate, and citrated means that magnesium is bonded to a citrate molecule.

calcium

The muscles use calcium during contractions and by the nerves for proper transmission of impulses. If a deficiency of calcium affects the most important muscle, the heart, it can lead to arrhythmias. Calcium also helps with insomnia and muscle cramps by relaxing the muscles. Calcium lowers cholesterol, by inhibiting plaque formation, and lowers blood pressure, by ensuring the proper functioning of the arterial muscles. Calcium is pulled out of the bones when the body becomes too acidic. This can occur due to the use of some medications, poor diet or when the body is in a state of inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Calcium is involved at the level of the cell with the structure of the RNA and DNA molecules and the activation of enzymes for the use of fats. Calcium is commonly recommended by natural health care practitioners for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, PMS, pregnancy, healthy cell growth, nervous disorders, and insomnia.

Passion Flower

Passion flower is a vine that is found along the roadside in many North American locations. It has been used traditionally as a sedative, reducing hyperactivity and anxiety. Passion flower's chemical components, maltol and ethylmaltol relax areas of the brain and reduce muscle tension. They bind to the same receptors that are used by sedative medications. Passion flower can be used for stress, anxiety, insomnia, hyperactivity and nervousness.
Dried passion flower can be made into a tea. Passion flower can also be purchased in capsules or as a tincture. Passion flower may be found in formulas for relaxing the mind and body. It seems to work well when taken with other sedating herbs like valerian.

Due to passion flower's sedating action it may increase the effect of some anti-anxiety, anti-depressive, or sleep inducing medications. Do not use passion flower when performing activities that require alertness. Theoretically passion flower may stimulate the uterus and should be used with caution in pregnant women.

Valerian

Valerian has been used traditionally for many years as a sedative and alleviator of anxiety. It has many benefits over the use of pharmaceutical sedatives and sleep aids. Valerian does not alter the brain waves that occur as a part of normal sleep patterns. Therefore the sleep that you get after taking valerian is just as restful as normal sleep.
Additionally valerian does not give you a "hangover" the morning after you use it. Valerian's chemical components, the valepotriates, valerianic acids and pungent oils, relax the central nervous system by binding to the same receptors that are used by sedative medications. They also relax the gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscles. Valerian can be used for restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms. It can also be used for stress and tension associated with PMS.

Dried valerian root can be made into a tea. Valerian can also be purchased in capsules or as a tincture. Water-soluble extracts of valerian contain more active ingredients than dried or alcohol-based formulas. Valerian may be found in formulas for relaxing the mind and body.

Due to valerian's sedating action it may increase the effect of some anti-anxiety, anti-depression, anti-histamine, sleep inducing medications. Do not use valerian when performing activities that require alertness. Children can be harmed by some components of valerian including the valepotriates and baldrinal. Never give valerian to children under the age of three.