Magnesium Side Effects
Updated Jun. 07th, 2023 | Read Time: 5 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Drug Interactions
- Kidney Disease
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Prescription Drugs for Osteoporosis
- Supplement Interactions
- Surgery
- Taking a Magnesium Supplement
- Reader Comments (4)
Due to the increase in magnesium deficiency among the Canadian population, magnesium is one of the most popular supplements. People use magnesium for a wide variety of benefits, from heart health and stress management to muscle soreness, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and even insomnia relief. But with the rise in deficiency, people are turning to supplements and it's important to know the possible magnesium side effects before adding it to your protocol.
Much research has shown that magnesium is safe and effective. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when taking magnesium supplements. It is always important to follow the dosing provided to you by your healthcare practitioner and/or the dosing on the package. While magnesium is deemed safe, here are 7 situations and circumstances that could lead to unwanted side effects:
7 Common Magnesium Side Effects
1. Drug Interactions
Some prescription drugs may interact with magnesium and cause negative side effects, including:
- ACE inhibitors (drugs you take to regulate blood pressure) like benazepril (Lotensin)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Lisinopril can cause low levels of potassium in your blood when used with magnesium. Thins interaction increases your risk for heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat. Check with your doctor before taking these medications together because your magnesium dose may need to be adjusted if you have kidney disease or other medical conditions that affect how you process drugs or nutraceuticals.
Magnesium has also been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the quinolone and tetracycline classes of antibiotics. It reduces the absorption of nitrofurantoin.
2. Kidney Disease
People with impaired kidney function are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse effects from taking magnesium supplements; therefore you will want to speak to your health care practitioner before taking a magnesium supplement.
Kidneys remove excess water from your body, as well as glucose and other nutrients. Symptoms of magnesium toxicity have been reported in people with impaired kidney function who take moderate amounts of magnesium-containing laxatives or antacids.
If you have kidney disease or renal insufficiency and take magnesium supplements, monitoring your daily intake is important so that it doesn't build up in your system.
Furthermore, adults older than 50 may also have difficulty processing magnesium due to impaired kidney function. It is always a good idea to seek the guidance of a qualified practitioner if you are older than 50 and/or if you experience kidney insufficiency.
3. Pregnancy
Magnesium is one of the few supplements that are safe to take during pregnancy and a magnesium deficiency during this time can have negative side effects. Practitioners recommend magnesium supplementation during pregnancy for a few reasons.
Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) is a sign of low magnesium in pregnant women. This can cause harm to both the mother and fetus; therefore, pregnant women should ensure they have adequate magnesium levels.
Magnesium could also help prevent premature labour by relaxing the uterus.
Constipation is also another issue pregnant women may have to worry about. This can happen due to stress and dietary changes. Therefore magnesium citrate may help correct this issue.
Several forms of magnesium are safe during pregnancy, including the citrate, glycinate, and taurate types. However, there is one caveat: magnesium supplementation during pregnancy is safe as long as there aren't any contraindications (these include kidney disease).
4. Breastfeeding
Magnesium may be recommended for women who are nursing, as the body naturally loses magnesium through breast milk. The amount of magnesium that is right for you depends on how much your body needs. Some people may only need 100 milligrams per day, while others may need up to 500 milligrams per day, taken in divided doses. It's best to speak with your practitioner when beginning a supplement regimen while nursing.
5. Prescription Drugs for Osteoporosis
Although magnesium is crucial for the maintenance of healthy bones, if you have osteoporosis, it is important to note that some osteoporosis drugs may have negative side effects with magnesium supplements.
Alendronate and other bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis should be taken at least two hours before or after taking magnesium, as the latter may interfere with their absorption.
6. Supplement Interactions
Some supplements may impact the absorption of magnesium. Some studies have hinted that high doses of zinc and fibre may reduce magnesium absorption. Additionally, a study suggested that a low intake of protein could reduce the absorption of magnesium, but more research is needed.
7. Surgery
During surgery, anesthesia could be affected by magnesium supplementation.
If you are taking oral magnesium supplements, laxatives, or antacids before surgical procedures, let the medical staff know so that they can account for these effects when administering intravenous magnesium during anesthesia.
Taking a Magnesium Supplement
Magnesium Dosing
If you have no contraindications and are looking for general dosing recommendations, the following doses may be helpful: Adults can take 400–500 milligrams (mg) daily, while children ages 1-3 should take 20 mg daily, and children ages 4–8 should take 30 mg daily.
Can I Take Too Much Magnesium & What Are The Side Effects?
If you have taken too much magnesium, the first side effect will be diarrhea. If this happens, reduce your dose of magnesium until you no longer have diarrhea. This is known as taking magnesium to bowel tolerance.
When Should I Take Magnesium?
You can take a magnesium supplement at any time of the day. However, it is best to avoid taking magnesium supplements after a meal, as they may buffer stomach acid and reduce the ability of your body to digest your food properly.
Which Format is Right For Me?
Magnesium bisglycinate is a form of magnesium that helps to reduce stress and anxiety and promote sleep. This form is gentle on your stomach and won't cause a laxative effect. Because of its high bioavailability and gentleness, magnesium bisglycinate is usually the top choice of health care practitioners.
Magnesium citrate is another popular form of magnesium. Use it to calm your muscles and promote relaxation and sleep.
Magnesium threonate provides support for the nervous system, brain health, and memory.
Magnesium sulfate is the form of magnesium you'll find in Epsom salts; these are used in baths as a way to relax your muscles after a long day or hard workout.
Magnesium oxide has high levels of elemental magnesium, making it useful when used as a laxative or even in bath salts and foot soaks for relaxation purposes.
While this nutrient is of the upmost importance to your health, it is important to make sure that you are taking magnesium safely to avoid adverse effects.
If you have more questions about magnesium and how to integrate it into your routine, speak to your health care practitioner or a qualified member of the National Nutrition staff so we can guide you in the right direction.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21865568/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19250445/
