How To Reduce Your Risk Of A Magnesium Overdose

When you hear the word “magnesium,” what do you think? The answer is probably something along the lines of “the third most abundant mineral in our body” or, perhaps, even “a natural muscle relaxer.” In this article, we’ll explain why it’s important to know how much magnesium you’re taking and also give you tips on how to avoid an accidental magnesium overdose.

However, magnesium is much more than just a nutrient that helps us get through the day without falling over or getting cramps. This essential mineral has many health benefits including reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 30 percent! But there are also some potential side effects associated with taking magnesium overdose at once.

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is an essential nutrient that’s required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including the proper functioning of muscles and nerves. It also helps maintain a normal heart rhythm, keeps bones strong, and supports a healthy immune system.

The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine sets the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) on a daily basis to meet the needs of most people who are generally healthy. The board recommends 400 mg per day for men aged 19-30, 420 mg per day for men older than 30 and women older than 30 who are pregnant or breastfeeding, 310 mg per day for women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, 320 mg for children 1-3 years old and 330 mg for children 4-8 years old.

How do we intake magnesium?

Magnesium is a mineral that occurs naturally in a variety of foods, including leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and beans. It’s also found in drinking water. In addition to these dietary sources, magnesium supplements are commercially available at grocery stores or health food stores.

Magnesium is also available in the form of magnesium chloride, which can be used as an alternative to Epsom salt baths. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) is a common ingredient in bath soaks because it’s believed that the magnesium ions dissolve in water and are absorbed through the skin. There is disagreement about whether magnesium can be absorbed through the skin, but even if it can, it’s unlikely that this method provides enough magnesium to produce any health benefits.

How can we keep an eye on our magnesium intake?

You can also keep an eye on your magnesium intake by eating a balanced diet. Magnesium is found in many foods, including:

leafy greens
nuts and seeds
beans and lentils (if you’re not sensitive to legumes)
dark chocolate (dark chocolate contains a higher concentration of magnesium than milk chocolate)

If you do decide to supplement with magnesium, make sure that the product is labeled accurately and that you are aware of any potential contraindications with other medications or supplements that you might be taking. For example, if you have kidney disease or are taking medications that affect kidney function, it’s important to consult with your doctor before supplementing with magnesium. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and considering a magnesium supplement, talk to your doctor first.

If you’re concerned about the safety of magnesium supplements, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor. They can help you determine whether a magnesium supplement is right for you, considering your overall health and any other medications or supplements that you are taking. Magnesium supplements are available as tablets, capsules, and liquids. Some people find that taking magnesium with food or milk helps them absorb the mineral better than taking it on an empty stomach. Magnesium is also available in forms other than supplements, including topical creams, gels, and lotions.

What are the symptoms of magnesium overdose?

Common symptoms of a magnesium overdose include:

Diarrhea:

It’s one of the most common symptoms of a magnesium overdose. Diarrhea may be mild or severe, but it often ends within 48 hours after you stop taking the supplement.

Abdominal cramping:

Magnesium causes muscles throughout your body to relax, so abdominal cramping may occur as a side effect of taking too much magnesium-rich food or supplement.

Nausea:

You may experience nausea as a result of taking too much magnesium. This symptom usually occurs within minutes after you take the supplement and lasts for 1 to 2 hours.

Dizziness:

Dizziness is another side effect of taking a high dose of magnesium that can last from 30 minutes to several hours. Confusion: Magnesium has been known to cause confusion in some people, so if this symptom occurs in conjunction with diarrhea or vomiting it is likely due to an overdose.

Vomiting:

Vomiting is another side effect of taking too much magnesium. This symptom also usually occurs within minutes after you take the supplement and can last for 1 to 2 hours.

Fatigue or weakness:

Fatigue and weakness are common side effects of taking too much magnesium. These symptoms can last for 30 minutes to several hours after you have taken the supplement. It is important to note that fatigue and weakness are not necessarily the same thing. Fatigue is an overwhelming feeling of tiredness and can be caused by many different factors, such as dehydration or lack of sleep. Weakness, on the other hand, is a physical symptom that causes your muscles to feel weak or limp.

Ways to treat magnesium overdose

Different ways to treat magnesium overdose include:

Drinking fluids: If you are vomiting, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. This may also help reduce the severity of your symptoms.

Taking a laxative: Laxatives can be used to relieve constipation caused by magnesium overdose and help with other symptoms such as diarrhea.

Taking activated charcoal: Activated charcoal is a medicine that can be taken to help treat magnesium overdose. It works by binding to the magnesium in your body and helps remove it from your system. You may need to take several doses of activated charcoal for it to work effectively.

Taking a diuretic:

Diuretics are also known as “water pills” because they make you urinate more. They can help reduce the amount of magnesium in your body, but this may not work for everyone and should be used with caution.

Avoid foods that contain large amounts of magnesium:

If you have been diagnosed with kidney failure or if your doctor has warned you about high blood levels of potassium or sodium, then it is important to avoid foods containing these minerals. These include bananas, spinach, potatoes, and nuts.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who takes magnesium supplements, or if you think that you may have taken too much of them, it’s important to know what the side effects are. So, if you think that you have taken too much magnesium, it’s important to contact a doctor or health care professional. They can help you determine how to proceed in order to get your levels back down again.