What kind/brand of cal-mag do you take? I used to use some magnesium cream for leg cramps, called "mo-maggie." https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MFA39FE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The cream is supposedly more "bio-available" than pills or whatever. I may need a new tube of that.
Here's a synopsis from the report's explanation: 1-Lymphocytes from the blood sample are isolated, washed and counted. 2-Cells are incubated for 5 days. 3-Growth rates for each stored nutrient are measured and labeled. 4-Cells are harvested and counted. 5-The report is created. The report compares your Growth Rate to an Expected Minimum for each nutrient as a measure of how efficient your cells are at storing and using it. Then they make specific supplementation recommendations where your Growth Rate falls short. They also call out those nutrients where your Growth Rate is Borderline. There is a broad range of expected Growth Rates: At the high end, the Growth Rate from CoQ10 should be >86% At the low end, the Growth Rate from Pantothenate (B5) should be >7% The test also measures how well your amino acids are functioning within the cells, how well you are metabolizing micronutrients, and your antioxidant status & immune response (immune response is compared against an age-specific expectation.) Here's the link to a Sample Report that explains all of this in way more detail than the website does (it's >4mb so I cannot upload it here.) Here's a link to the test's brochure. There's lots to the mechanics on how they do this I wish I understood better.
Good grief. I think I'll stick with the blood work my doctor relies on. I'll probably follow @Don Alaska 's lead and try a couple of cal-mag supps for the halibut.
The cream or lotion is fine for targeted relief, such as a particular muscle or muscle group that is cramping. The tablets or capsules are for systemic relief and are slower to relieve th cramp, but more long lasting and general in the relief provided. Try to find a supplement that has bioavailable forms of the nutrients. I have a couple types around the house. Look for calcium citrate, hydroxyapatite or some other form that is not carbonate. Magnesium citrate, glycinate, taurinate, or other type. Magnesium oxide isn't as bad as calcium carbonate, but steer away form it if other forms are available. Zinc picolinate or aspartate may be helpful as well. Try to get vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and K2 (MK-7) included if you can.
I don't know how to definitively determine cellular mineral content without a tissue biopsy at several sites. If you believe what they publish, that is okay I guess. I am not that trusting.
I used to wake up with bad neck pain, too. Through trial and error, I found this pillow: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ET9TXQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I also sleep on my side and it works miracles for me. No more neck pain. When I do start getting neck pain again, I replace the pillow and the pain goes away. Like just about everything else on Amazon, you can return it if it doesn’t work for you. Just remembered something else. My orthopedist told me to wear a wrist brace at night on the side of the neck pain, the kind with the metal bar that keeps your wrist straight. That really helps my neck, too.
They might have better options buying direct, but they no longer ship to Alaska without exorbitant fees and terrible delays. I used to buy from them direct too. Amazon is just easier to link from.
Interesting, since the Amazon listing says "sold by and shipped from Swanson Health Products." I figured I'd just bypass any Amazon fees. Thanks again! (My order has already shipped, so yay.)