Magnesium is a mineral that’s discovered naturally in lots of meals and in your physique. Nonetheless, as with most issues, there are risks related to getting an excessive amount of.
A magnesium overdose can lead to what’s technically referred to as hypermagnesemia. That is when there’s an excessive amount of magnesium in your blood. It could actually happen in individuals with continual well being circumstances, comparable to continual kidney illness, though it’s uncommon.
Magnesium overdose may end result from taking an excessive amount of of a complement or treatment containing magnesium.
So how does this mineral work, and what occurs once you get an excessive amount of of it?
The function of magnesium
Magnesium serves many features within the human physique. It’s vital for:
In accordance with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being’s Workplace of Dietary Dietary supplements, wholesome grownup males ought to typically eat 400 to 420 milligrams (mg) of magnesium each day. Wholesome grownup ladies ought to eat 310 to 320 mg each day. Pregnant ladies are beneficial to eat the next dose than ladies who aren’t pregnant.
In case you take supplemental magnesium, essentially the most an grownup ought to ingest is 350 mg each day. Supplemental magnesium is totally different from magnesium naturally occurring within the meals you eat.
The workplace of Dietary dietary supplements notes that “too much magnesium from food does not pose a health risk in healthy individuals because the kidneys eliminate excess amounts in the urine.” It additionally notes that “high doses of magnesium from dietary supplements or medications often result in diarrhea that can be accompanied by nausea and abdominal cramping.”
Magnesium could also be prescribed to stop migraine complications, with a each day dosage of greater than 350 mg a day. These dosages ought to solely be taken with medical supervision.
Sources of magnesium
Magnesium is present in a wide range of meals, particularly these with a number of fiber. Nuts, leafy greens, legumes, and complete grains are among the many greatest sources. Some particular meals which can be excessive in magnesium embrace:
However meals isn’t the one place you’ll discover this mineral. You’ll additionally discover it in dietary supplements and sure drugs.
For instance, magnesium is the energetic ingredient in some laxatives. Whereas these drugs might have the next quantity of elemental magnesium, it usually isn’t harmful. Due to the laxative impact, you don’t soak up the entire magnesium. As a substitute, it’s flushed from the physique earlier than it has an opportunity to have a lot impression.
Nonetheless, the Workplace of Dietary Dietary supplements notes that “very large doses of magnesium-containing laxatives and antacids (typically providing more than 5,000 mg/day magnesium) have been associated with magnesium toxicity.”
Magnesium can also be current in some drugs for abdomen acid indigestion or heartburn.
Threat elements
Hypermagnesemia is uncommon as a result of the kidneys work to eliminate extra magnesium. Overdose with resultant hypermagnesemia is most frequently seen in individuals with poor kidney operate after they take drugs containing magnesium, comparable to laxatives or antacids.
It’s due to this threat that folks with kidney illness are cautioned towards taking magnesium dietary supplements or drugs that comprise this mineral. The related dangers are additionally larger for individuals with coronary heart illness and gastrointestinal issues.
What occurs throughout a magnesium overdose
In accordance with the Workplace of Dietary Dietary supplements, signs of magnesium overdose might embrace:
A physician may give intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate to assist reverse the consequences of extra magnesium. IV furosemide could also be given for diuresis and excretion of magnesium if ample kidney operate is undamaged. Dialysis might should be used to flush magnesium from the physique if hypermagnesemia is extreme or renal operate is poor.
Takeaway – “magnesium overdose”
Total, the danger of ever experiencing a magnesium overdose is extraordinarily low for a sometimes wholesome individual. Nonetheless, it’s attainable to have an excessive amount of in sure instances.
In case you expertise adversarial signs, comparable to diarrhea, once you take magnesium dietary supplements or drugs containing magnesium, it’s possible you’ll be taking an excessive amount of magnesium in these types. If that is so, it’s possible you’ll want to talk to your physician for steering.
For individuals with impaired kidney operate, talk about the dangers of magnesium-containing drugs and dietary supplements together with your physician to assist guarantee your security.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, it’s possible you’ll lose an excessive amount of magnesium from some critical diseases, alcohol abuse, or taking sure drugs. Low ranges of magnesium can result in points comparable to migraine complications. Study extra about magnesium and migraines.