If you follow the health and wellness industry at all, you will know that there has been a lot of talk around digestive health the past couple years. Why is digestive health such a hot topic of conversation? Well, quite simply, your digestive health has a great impact on your overall health.

Magnesium plays an important role in digestive health. But does magnesium make you poop? Keep reading to discover the answer to that pertinent question and many others.

What is Magnesium?

In order to understand how magnesium works in the body and its many benefits, first one should understand what magnesium is.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in many of the body’s physiological processes, over 300 biochemical reactions to be a bit more precise.

The human body produces magnesium naturally but also pulls magnesium from dietary sources such as dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

Magnesium deficiency does occur and can lead to many serious health issues. Magnesium supplements are readily available should you be concerned that your magnesium levels aren’t where they should be.

What Magnesium Does to the Body

The human body is very reliant on magnesium for so many of its important processes or functions. Magnesium is involved in energy production, DNA synthesis, muscle contraction and nerve function.

Although most of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones and soft tissues, a small amount is also present in the blood. The body tightly regulates magnesium levels, so that blood levels remain constant even when dietary intake varies. Did you know that magnesium helps to regulate blood sugar levels?

Magnesium is also necessary for the proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two other significant minerals. 

When it comes to the health of our digestive system, magnesium plays a critical role. When our magnesium levels aren’t where they should be, one of the first areas greatly affected can be gut health.

So, does magnesium make you poop? Let’s take a look at magnesium deficiency and the affect it has on our bodies.

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to a number of gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and colitis. Magnesium supplementation has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of IBS, and some studies have even suggested that it can help to prevent or heal ulcers. This incredible mineral plays a role in protecting the gut from inflammation.

Does Magnesium Make You Poop?

We now know that magnesium is vital for our digestive system and overall gut health. This brings us to the big question: “Does magnesium make you poop?”

Magnesium draws water into the intestines, which helps promote regular bowel movements. A magnesium citrate supplement has proven to be an effective treatment for chronic constipation.

How to Choose a Magnesium Supplement

When it comes to choosing a magnesium supplement, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider what form of magnesium is best for you. Magnesium comes in different forms, and each form has different absorption rates. Some forms of magnesium are better absorbed than others, so be sure to check the label to see how much of the magnesium is actually being absorbed by your body.

There are pills, powders, and liquids available when it comes to magnesium supplements and each has its own advantages. Pills may be more convenient, but liquids are typically better absorbed by the body. Check to see what other ingredients are included in the supplement. Is it pure magnesium or magnesium combined with other essential vitamins and minerals of importance for you?

Magnesium oxide is the most common form of the supplement, but it’s also the least absorbable.

If you are looking for a supplement that your body can easily absorb, magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate may be better choices.

Magnesium supplements come in different dosages. Be sure to choose a dosage that is appropriate for your needs.

Magnesium sulfate, more commonly known as Epsom salts, is a naturally-occurring mineral that has a wide range of uses. The most common use of magnesium sulfate is to be added to bath water to help relax muscles. It’s also used to treat headaches and migraines. It’s thought to work by constricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation. 

Some people also use magnesium sulfate to help with constipation, as it acts as a mild laxative. Overall, magnesium sulfate is a versatile product that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Magnesium supplements vary widely in price, so select one that fits your needs and budget. That being said, do not compromise quality to save a couple bucks. Cheaper supplements tend to be full of fillers that can actually hinder the desired outcome of supplementation.

With these factors in mind, you can choose a magnesium supplement that will help you reach your health goals.

Side Effects and Risks of Magnesium Supplements

Because magnesium plays a role in many different functions in the body, it’s often added to supplements because it’s thought to have a range of health benefits. These include reducing blood pressure, improving mood, and relieving pain.

As with any supplement or medication, you need to be aware that magnesium supplements can also cause some side effects and risks. These include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and bloating.

In some cases, magnesium supplements can also interact with other medications. Therefore, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before taking magnesium supplements.

Before you write off magnesium entirely, you need to understand that these side effects are rare and typically only occur when taking high doses of magnesium. When taken as directed, magnesium supplements are generally safe and quite effective, providing a number of health benefits, such as improved energy levels, better sleep, and reduced stress.

Toxicity

As mentioned, taking large doses or using certain forms of magnesium can cause toxicity. Magnesium toxicity can cause symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney damage and heart arrhythmias. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking magnesium supplements, stop taking them and see a doctor immediately. 

To avoid such a reaction, be sure to only take the recommended dosage. Starting with as low dosage as possible and gradually increasing if needed is the best way to begin magnesium supplementation. This allows your body to adjust to the supplement, so you should have no such concerns.

Medication Interactions

Magnesium supplements are a popular way to increase magnesium intake, but it’s important to be aware of potential medication interactions.

Magnesium can interact with certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications and diabetes medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor before starting a magnesium supplement if you take any of the above-mentioned medications. 

Warnings and Precautions

Magnesium supplements should be taken with food, as taking them on an empty stomach can increase the risk of side effects.

Should you have underlying health concerns such kidney disease or heart health issues, you must talk to your health care provider before considering magnesium supplements, as there are definite concerns to be aware of with taking magnesium with these particular health issues.

What is Hypermagnesemia?

Hypermagnesemia is a condition characterized by high levels of magnesium in the blood. While magnesium is an essential mineral for good health, too much magnesium can be dangerous. This can also occur in people with kidney problems who are not able to remove excess magnesium from the blood effectively. 

Symptoms of hypermagnesemia include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and difficulty breathing. In very severe cases, it can lead to heart arrhythmias and coma.

Hypermagnesemia is usually caused by kidney failure or the use of certain medications. If left untreated, hypermagnesemia can lead to coma and death. With proper treatment, most people with hypermagnesemia make a full recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As you can imagine, there are many questions around magnesium supplementation. It’s important to be informed whenever making a health related decision. Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions regarding magnesium supplements.

Is it Safe to Take Magnesium Citrate Daily?

Magnesium citrate is a popular dietary supplement that is often used to relieve constipation and promote regularity. Experts say that research suggests that it can also help to improve digestion and reduce inflammation.

Those with kidney problems or heart conditions should use caution and only consider taking magnesium citrate after having discussed with their doctor, as it can potentially cause adverse effects.

For most people, though, magnesium citrate is a safe and effective way to keep the digestive system running smoothly. Best of all, it is readily available and affordable, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a natural way to improve their digestive health.

How Much Magnesium Citrate Should I Take?

If you are considering adding magnesium citrate to your daily wellness regime, then you need to know how much you should take. Magnesium citrate can be taken in pill form or dissolved in water and taken as a drink.

The recommended dose is 200-400 mg per day. It’s best to start with a lower dose and only increase gradually if you feel it’s needed. This gives your body time to adjust and avoid any potential side effects that can come with too much to begin with.  

How Quickly Will Magnesium Citrate Make You Poop?

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get things moving, magnesium citrate is a great option. This over-the-counter supplement is available in pill or powder form, and it works by pulling water into the intestine, which helps to soften stool and stimulate bowel movements.

Most people will notice results within 30 minutes to 6 hours after taking magnesium citrate. If you do take magnesium citrate, be sure to drink plenty of fluids (at least 8 glasses a day) to avoid becoming dehydrated.

What is the Best Time to Take Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate is a popular supplement that is often used to relieve constipation or prepare for colonoscopies. For these reasons, it’s important to take magnesium citrate at the right time and in the correct dosage. It typically comes in a powder or liquid form that must be mixed with water. 

Magnesium citrate is usually taken at night before bedtime. Some people prefer to take it first thing in the morning. Ultimately, the best time to take magnesium citrate will vary from person to person. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids while taking magnesium citrate, as this will help to prevent dehydration. Some trial and error may be necessary to find the time that works best for you. 

Is Magnesium Citrate Bad For Kidneys?

Kidneys are responsible for filtering magnesium and other minerals from the blood. Magnesium citrate is a type of magnesium supplement that can be taken orally to increase magnesium levels in the body. Although magnesium citrate is generally safe, there are some potential side effects to be aware of, especially for those who have kidney disease.

Since the kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste products from the blood and excreting them in urine, magnesium citrate can increase the amount of water in the intestine, which means that the kidneys have to work harder to filter it out. In very rare cases, magnesium citrate over time could eventually lead to kidney damage or possibly kidney stones.

When to Talk to Your Doctor?

There are many different reasons why you might talk to your doctor about magnesium supplementation. We’ve listed a few of those reasons below:

• you have certain medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease, you may be at risk for magnesium deficiency
• if you’re taking any medications–to ensure no medication interactions
• you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, or irregular heartbeat, magnesium supplementation could help
• you might also talk to your doctor about magnesium supplementation if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as it’s important for both mother and child

Magnesium supplementation isn’t right for everyone, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting anything. Not sure what your magnesium levels are? You might want to consider an easy-to-use home mineral test to determine what minerals if any you may be deficient in. With results in hand, your doctor can help you determine whether magnesium supplementation is right for you and what dosage would be safe and effective.

Final Thoughts

So, does magnesium make you poop? Magnesium is quite often used to treat chronic constipation, so yes, magnesium can make you poop. 

We hope you have found this article informative as you decide whether magnesium supplements are for you. Should you want more information on magnesium or other health articles, we’ve got plenty of topics to explore! If you’re ready to take the plunge, have a look at some top quality magnesium products!

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