Good post brother. Thanks. It's also interesting how it acts as an antihypertensive by lowering aldosterone and reducing potassium loss through sweat.

Ah, the luxurious method...

Right on bro.

Yes, zinc deficiency is associated with low testosterone.

Yeah, the title of my post was inaccurate. Neither magnesium or zinc lower SHBG. What they do is lower the ability of SHBG to act on testosterone, allowing increased levels of free test. For practical purposes it's the same result, but you're right. I've edited the title

Agreed brother. Very underrated.

An excerpt from one of the studies... basically adequate magnesium seems to displace T from the binding site.

SHBG is a homodimer comprising 373 amino acid residues for each monomer that transports the sex steroids in the blood and also regulating their activity in target cells [93]. Interestingly, each monomer of SHBG contains three metal-binding sites, one calcium-binding and two zinc-binding, [94, 95], that are divalent cations as well as magnesium. This data supports, at molecular level, the role of magnesium in modulating T bioactivity.

Guillaume’s group investigated the role of magnesium on both the T-serum albumin binding process and the T displacement to its human serum albumin (HSA) binding cavity by DHEA. Serum albumin binds to T with low affinity [46]. In particular DHEA and T seem to bind to the same HSA site. DHEA has been shown to displace T to its HSA binding site. The authors observed in vitro that adequate magnesium concentrations displaced T from its HSA binding site [96, 97] and hypothesized the opportunity of testing in vivo the effects of magnesium supplementation, during DHEA treatment, on the Bio-T rate.

You're welcome sir.

Oxide represents the cheapest form of the mineral to produce, so many manufacturers choose it instead of chelated forms. A 1990 study on magnesium oxide absorption, which was published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” found that the intestines could not absorb oxide forms efficiently. I've seen as little as a 4% absorption rate stated. I can't recommend the Oxide form. As I said, I use the Citrate form, but here is some more info..

The amount of magnesium your tissues can readily use is based on the amount of elemental or ionic magnesium that is released. There are several organic salt chelates that are highly absorbable such as magnesium citrate, taurate and malate as are angtrom forms of magnesium. Two forms to avoid are magnesium aspartate and glutamate. Aspartate breaks down into the neurotransmitter aspartic acid, which without being bound to other amino acids is neurotoxic. Glutamate also breaks down into the neurotransmitter glutamic acid, which without being bound to other amino acids is also neurotoxic. Both are components of aspartame which should also be avoided

ZMA is a great supplement. I'm glad you mentioned it. Zinc is also very important. The 3 capsule dose of most brands is 450mg of Magnesium which is a good amount.

Yes it does. Lol. I have on rare occasion taken too much and had to visit the wc.

I take 650mg of citrate as a powder mixed in water. I believe the RDA of the FDA is around 450mg. But the RDA is basically the amount you need to avoid deficiency symptoms, not necessarily the optimum. I feel 650 is a better dose for larger men but 450 would be good also.

The things I notice from taking it are better sleep, more calm, less DOMS, less cramps, better recovery, higher libido whether on or off (probably due to decreased SHBG and more free test). It's said to increase immunity and I never get sick. Plus it works w calcium for stronger bones, teeth, ligaments. Also, as Manshit said, lower blood pressure, more efficient nervous system which equates to more strength.. It's estimated that 80% of the US population is deficient and I think a lot of health issues could be resolved by something as simple as getting sufficient magnesium... Oh, also better digestion and helps w regularity also.