What Happens to Your Body When You Take Too Much Magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral required by the body. It regulates certain biochemical functions in the body, including protein synthesis, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation. It is also required for energy production and DNA and RNA synthesis, is important for the structural development of bones, and plays a role in transporting calcium and potassium for muscle, heart, and nerve function. Needless to say, your body depends on it. magnesium In many ways.

However, some people may not be getting enough magnesium in their diet, so their doctor may recommend supplements to address specific issues, such as constipation. Sleeping disorder Muscle spasms may also occur Laura Purdy, MDa board-certified family medicine physician and medical director at Swell Medical.

But while supplements may be helpful, what happens if you get too much magnesium? We looked at the latest research and spoke to medical experts about what happens to your body when you get too much magnesium, including warning signs to look out for.

How much magnesium is safe?

The current Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for magnesium for adults are:

• 19-30 years: 400 milligrams (mg) (men), 310 mg (women)
• Age 31 and older: 420 mg (men), 320 milligrams (women)

Magnesium is naturally occurring Many foodsYou can get it from a variety of foods, including almonds, spinach, kidney beans, and tofu. If you’re not getting enough, some doctors may recommend a supplement. “It’s important to talk with your doctor about your current diet and specifically what dosage is right for your body,” says Purdy. “The recommended dosage varies depending on the supplement and brand. It’s important to follow the label instructions and speak to your doctor about your current diet and needs. We also recommend taking supplements with meals, if possible,” she explains.

What is Magnesium Overdose?

Magnesium overdose (also called hypermagnesemia) is rare. The tolerable upper intake level for magnesium is 350 mg, an amount unlikely to cause side effects. Getting too much magnesium from food is not harmful. However, getting too much magnesium from supplements such as magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, or magnesium chloride can cause problems. “Generally speaking, this is fairly rare, but taking too much magnesium can cause diarrhea, nausea, and possibly cramps,” Purdy says.

If you take supplements, stick to the limit of 350 mg of magnesium supplements per day, unless your healthcare provider specifically recommends a higher dose, doctors say. Katie Dubinsky, PharmDHe is a pharmacist and the founder and CEO of Vitalize.

Symptoms and Signs

Common side effects of taking too much magnesium include:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• Stomach pain
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle weakness
• arrhythmia
• vomiting
• Facial flushing
• Urinary retention (inability to empty the bladder completely)
• depression
• Lethargy and muscle weakness
• Cardiac arrest

Who is at risk for magnesium overdose?

Although hypermagnesemia is rare, it’s something to keep in mind, especially if you have a chronic illness. For example, if you have impaired kidney function or kidney failure, you’re at higher risk of experiencing symptoms of magnesium overdose.

Cases of magnesium toxicity can occur when very high doses of magnesium, such as the 5,000 mg found in some antacids and laxatives, are taken. That doesn’t mean you should avoid them, but rather, make sure you follow the label directions when taking these medications.

Unfortunately, magnesium supplements may not work well when taken with other medications, such as:

• Bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis) can decrease the body’s absorption of magnesium.
• Certain antibiotics should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after taking magnesium supplements.
• Diuretics can increase the loss of magnesium in the urine and lead to a deficiency.

When to see a healthcare provider

If you start taking magnesium supplements and experience any of the symptoms associated with magnesium toxicity listed above, contact your healthcare provider. This is especially important if you have kidney disease.

Treating and preventing magnesium overdose

To prevent consuming too much magnesium, Dubinsky suggests focusing on food sources of magnesium: “To treat a deficiency, consumers should focus on incorporating magnesium-rich foods into their diet, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and dairy products,” she says.

But if Buy supplements If your medical professional recommends it, follow these tips from Dubinsky:

• Buy quality supplements that are tested for purity and potency. Make sure the product is third-party tested.
• Choose a form of magnesium that is highly bioavailable, such as magnesium citrate.
• Do not exceed the recommended daily limit of 350 mg unless otherwise recommended by a medical professional.
• Ask your healthcare professional if other medications or supplements you are taking may interact with magnesium supplements.

Conclusion

Magnesium is a nutrient required for many bodily functions, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve control, and blood pressure and blood sugar management. If you are deficient in magnesium, your healthcare professional may recommend taking a supplement. The tolerable upper limit for magnesium is 350 milligrams per day, but taking too much magnesium per day can rarely cause overdose symptoms (such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure).