Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) is an osmotic laxative by which the poorly absorbable magnesium ions cause water to be retained in the intestinal lumen. The evidence for its efficacy from randomized control trials is limited. Osmotic laxatives are useful and recommended for use in chronic constipation.
Type of Magnesium Supplement
When it comes to helping you poop, magnesium citrate is considered the top choice. Bound to citric acid, this form is highly absorbable and has a slight calming effect for some people. Supplements with this form of magnesium are widely available and usually found in capsule or powder form.
Magnesium citrate
It is often an ingredient in supplements and appears to be easier for the body to absorb than some other forms. An older 2003 study of 46 adults found that magnesium citrate absorbed better than magnesium oxide and magnesium chelate. However, doctors also use magnesium citrate to treat constipation.
Magnesium helps to increase the amount of water in the intestines, which can help with bowel movements. It may be used as a laxative due to these properties, or as a supplement for magnesium deficiency.
Glycinate. Magnesium glycinate is easily absorbed in the body, and is less likely to have a laxative effect.
Magnesium citrate is a more common choice if you want to maintain magnesium levels for general whole-body health. On the other hand, magnesium glycinate has less bioavailability but can have a calming effect.
Is magnesium citrate safe to take daily? Yes, as long as you take a low to moderate amount and not a high dose that causes loose stools repeatedly.
Magnesium is not a good choice for treating chronic constipation or constipation that requires ongoing treatment. 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.
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that is thought to work by increasing fluid in the small intestine. It usually results in a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Magnesium citrate is a oral laxative solution that can ease the occasional constipation. It's available over the counter (OTC) and can help produce a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours. Magnesium citrate might not be a safe option if you have kidney problems or electrolyte levels that are out of balance.
Accumulation of magnesium in the blood can cause muscle weakness, but does not damage the kidney directly.
Magnesium will not help you lose belly fat. You can't spot reduce fat. However, magnesium has a positive correlation with weight loss.
What is the dosage of magnesium citrate for constipation? Adults and children 12 years of age and older: Use 195 to 300 ml of magnesium citrate with a full glass of water. It may be taken as a single dose or divided doses or may also be used with 2 to 4 tablets at bedtime.
Magnesium glycerophosphate is the ideal form of magnesium to help boost sleep quality. It helps the body and brain relax by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Magnesium also help boost the sleep hormone melatonin, which in turn binds to GABA (the neurotransmitter responsible for calming the nervous system).
Does magnesium glycinate help you poop? Most people don't need to worry about magnesium glycinate causing diarrhea. Because it's absorbed in the intestines it's less likely to have a laxative effect compared to other magnesium supplements, such as magnesium citrate.
People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider. Overdose. Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal.
Taking large or frequent doses of dietary magnesium supplements, including magnesium glycinate, can cause adverse effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Extremely high intakes of magnesium can lead to an irregular heartbeat and potentially a cardiac arrest, which can be dangerous.
Potential microbial contamination has prompted Vi-Jon LLC to recall a slate of branded magnesium citrate saline laxative products, many of which are under a Class I recall, according to the September 21, 2022, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Enforcement Report.
Too much or too little of necessary nutrients, such as vitamin D, can cause significant health problems. That being said, when you intake excess or toxic levels of vitamin D, you may experience constipation, in addition to other digestive problems, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.