← Return to Chronic bowel problems, Magnesium and Side effects

Discussion

Chronic bowel problems, Magnesium and Side effects

Digestive Health | Last Active: Jun 21, 2019 | Replies (36)

Comment receiving replies
@kanaazpereira

Hi @ellamster,

Magnesium is one of the more abundant minerals in the body, which reflects its importance. Studies have shown that your pulse/heart rate is impacted by the amount of magnesium in your body, and deficiency can result in arrhythmias. It plays a role in hundreds of chemical reactions, many of them having to do with changing food into energy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/magnesium-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/description/drg-20070730

However, as @hopeful33250 mentioned, you are taking a rather high dose. The recommended daily allowance of magnesium for adults is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men. The upper intake level from supplements is 350 mg per day, and excess intake of supplemental magnesium may result in toxicity with symptoms like lethargy, confusion, abnormal cardiac rhythm, muscle weakness.

Here’s a fact sheet from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) which notes:
"Very large doses of magnesium-containing laxatives and antacids (typically providing more than 5,000 mg/day magnesium) have been associated with magnesium toxicity. Symptoms of magnesium toxicity, which usually develop after serum concentrations exceed 1.74–2.61 mmol/L, can include hypotension, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, retention of urine, ileus, depression, and lethargy before progressing to muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, extreme hypotension, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest. The risk of magnesium toxicity increases with impaired renal function or kidney failure because the ability to remove excess magnesium is reduced or lost.” https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#h8

I’m tagging @personalhell @sue225 @irenec @tiss as they may be able to share their experiences with you.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hi @ellamster, Magnesium is one of the more abundant minerals in the body, which reflects its..."

IBS-C or CIC is challenging. I was taking two Sennokot every second or third night and started to be concerned that because it's a stimulant it might be aggravating my arrhythmia. Switched over to Milk of Magnesia (every third night) around 2 tbsp. Will see if the excess magnesium does anything heart wise. Filled a script for Linaclotide but can't bring myself to take it yet.
Have you tried the safer over the counter osmotic laxative Miralax? It worked for me for quite a while. Also one gastroenterologist recommended taking Miralax everyday in addition to psyllium powder stirred into a glass of water Did that around four years ago and it works but caused other IBS symptoms.