Magnesium is an essential mineral that your body uses in over 300 chemical reactions, explains MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Your body contains about 25 g of magnesium, half of which can be found in your bones. You can get magnesium through legumes, whole grains, broccoli and green leafy vegetables. Dairy products, almonds, coffee and chocolate also contain magnesium. You may also choose to take magnesium in supplements.
Uses and Dose
You may use magnesium supplements to help you manage blood sugar levels if you have type 2 diabetes, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Magnesium supplements can be used to keep your heart healthy. You body can use magnesium to regulate your heart beats. Magnesium supplements can also be used to lower blood pressure. Your daily recommended dose of magnesium may vary according to age and gender, MayoClinic.com says. Children aged 3 and below need between 40 mg to 80 mg of magnesium daily. Children ages 4 to 10 need anywhere from 120 mg to 170 mg of magnesium each day. Teenaged boys and adult men need about 270 to 400 mg of magnesium daily. Adult women need only up to 300 mg of magnesium daily. Pregnant females need about 320 mg of magnesium, while breast-feeding females need between 340 to 355 mg of magnesium each day.
Benefits
Magnesium supplements may help prevent kidney stones from recurring, MedlinePlus notes. Taking magnesium with estrogen and calcium can also slow osteoporosis in older women. Magnesium supplements may also alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Magnesium supplements may be used in treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and chronic fatigue syndrome. Magnesium supplements may help prevent migraines or shorten migraine duration.
Side Effects
You may experience dizziness or fainting after taking magnesium supplements, Drugs.com explains. Exceeding your daily recommended dose of magnesium may cause your vision to double or blur. Magnesium supplement use may cause severe drowsiness. Magnesium supplements may also slow your heartbeat and cause breathing difficulties. Magnesium supplements may also cause diarrhea and muscle paralysis, however such side effects are not common.
Interactions
Other medications such as antibiotics and blood pressure medications can interact with magnesium supplements, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Magnesium supplements can lower the absorption rate of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics. Magnesium supplements can increase the risk of adverse reactions to blood pressure medication such as nausea and fluid retention. Diuretics such as thiazide and loop diuretics can lower magnesium levels.
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