Magnesium is an extremely important mineral, essential for blood pressure regulation, bone and gut health, and proper muscle function.

It is found in many foods such as oatmeal, black beans, bananas and walnuts, and many people also take it as a dietary supplement to relieve anxiety or improve sleep.

However, despite all its benefits, it is possible to consume too much magnesium, which which can lead to health problems. The symptoms of an overdose are often not specific enough, so many people are not even aware that this is the cause of their problems.

“Many people do not realize that some forms of magnesium, such as citrate, act almost like a laxative. If you notice watery stools or stomach problems after you start taking a dietary supplement, your body is probably telling you to cut back,” says nutritionist Jessica Brantley-Lopez. Parade.

Kirsten Jackson, a British nutritionist known as the “Irritable Bowel Syndrome Nutritionist”, explains what’s really going on. “Magnesium that is not absorbed by the body ends up in the large intestine, where it binds with water, which can lead to watery stools and a sudden urge to defecate.”

You’re experiencing nausea and stomach pain

In addition to diarrhea, too much magnesium can cause other digestive problems. According to Jackson, “nausea and stomach pain are very common symptoms, especially when someone is taking high doses or forms that are less easily absorbed, such as magnesium oxide or citrate.” So, even if you don’t have diarrhea, these symptoms may be a sign that you should be careful with its intake.

Dyspepsia is not the only problem. Low blood pressure is also a symptom and “one of the most serious,” notes Brantley-Lopez.

“Since magnesium helps relax blood vessels, too much can sometimes cause dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, or even fainting. This is especially true for people who are prone to low blood pressure, are dehydrated, or are taking blood pressure medication,” she explains, recalling that she herself experienced this after receiving an infusion of vitamins.

The above symptoms are unpleasant enough on their own, and they can also cause additional problems, such as dehydration caused by diarrhea.

But this is not all about an overdose of magnesium. “In more severe cases, especially in people with kidney problems, excess magnesium can affect blood pressure, muscle function, and even heart rate,” says Brantley-Lopez.

Jackson adds that muscle weakness, feeling unusually hot, extreme fatigue or sleepiness, slow heart rate, confusion, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, especially if the body receives excessive doses of magnesium over a period of time. long.

However, Brantley-Lopez points out that “true toxicity is rare” and occurs more often from taking supplements than from consuming magnesium through food.

Source: prizrenpost