Later we discuss how to use magnesium for constipation. In those instances, we will see that upping the doses to 500 to 1000 mg per day is often required.
Some individuals see better bowel movements with 200-500 mg of Magnesium gluconate, oxide or citrate in the morning and evening. The dose for magnesium is individual, so begin low and increase the dosage as needed. Reduce the dosage if you experience loose bowels.
Using Magnesium Citrate Constipation Remedies
You can either take it throughout the day or in a larger dose at night for a morning bowel movement. Some doctors recommend not exceeding 1,000 mg a day.
The maximum dose for Magnesium is 2 grams or 2000 milligrams. You should not take more than 4 tablets or capsules in one day. Magnesium comes in tablets and capsules (500 mg): take orally as directed by your doctor and take with a full 8-ounce glass of liquid. One Tablespoon of Milk of Magnesium is equal to 500 mg.
When taken in very large amounts (greater than 350 mg daily), magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large doses might cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing serious side effects including an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and death.
There's a chance that taking extremely high doses of magnesium could have some harmful side effects. But as long as you stick to 400 mg or less a day from supplements, you shouldn't have any problems. Taking more than this isn't recommended unless you're under medical supervision.
Dosage: It typically comes in a 400 mg tablet. For some people, 1 tablet a day is enough to relieve constipation. But many people take it 2 to 3 times a day.
Using it too often can lead to excessive dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Doctors often use higher doses of magnesium citrate as colon cleansers before surgery. The compound can have a powerful effect if a person takes too much.
Magnesium citrate is a great option for people with constipation, as it can have a gentle laxative effect. This supplement works by pulling water into the intestines to make your bowel movements softer and easier to pass.
Magnesium citrate -- Magnesium citrate is the most popular magnesium supplement, probably because it is inexpensive and easily absorbed. Since citric acid is a mild laxative, magnesium citrate functions as a constipation aid as well as a magnesium source.
The UL for magnesium is 350 milligrams from supplements only. High-dose supplements can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and cramping in some people. Extra magnesium from food is safe because the kidneys will eliminate excess amounts in urine.
In liquid form, the standard dosage recommendation is 290 mg/5ml daily, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. In tablet form, the the standard dosage recommendation is 100 mg/day, which might be taken in two to three divided doses.
The Office of Dietary Supplements at the American National Institutes of Health recommend the following daily allowances of magnesium: 400–420 mg for adult males. 310–320 mg for adult females. 350–360 mg during pregnancy.
Early signs of excessive magnesium intake can include low blood pressure, facial flushing, depression, urine retention, and fatigue. Eventually, if untreated, these symptoms can worsen and include muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and even, in very rare cases, cardiac arrest.
In some cases, high doses up to 800–1800 mg of magnesium daily for several months are given to help treat conditions like indigestion and irregular heartbeats, but this is done under supervision from a doctor.
Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal.
800 mg of magnesium may be too much for most people, especially those with reduced kidney function. If you discover you are having several loose stools a day, that could be a clear indication that you are getting too high a magnesium dose!
One study. View Source of older adults with insomnia found that magnesium supplementation at a dose of 500 milligrams daily for eight weeks helped them fall asleep fast, stay asleep longer, reduced nighttime awakenings, and increased their levels of naturally circulating melatonin.
The benefits of magnesium supplementation in healthy individuals aren't clear, but Dr. Nassar says that taking a magnesium supplement every day likely isn't unsafe for most people. Just be sure you're not taking too much magnesium. The maximum dietary allowance for most adults is around 400 mg or less.