The mineral magnesium plays several important roles in the body. It helps regulate blood pressure and keeps the bone strong, among other actions. The amount of magnesium present in the typical diet does not pose any health risks, but taking large amounts of magnesium supplements or products that contain magnesium, such as laxatives, can pose various health risks. Do not take these products more often than stated on the label. Before taking supplemental magnesium to address a particular health concern, discuss an appropriate dose with your doctor.
Upper Intake Limits
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports an upper tolerable intake level of 350 mg for magnesium supplements. Exceeding this amount can increase your risk of negative side effects. Some conditions, however, might require larger doses. For example, doses used in studies to treat conditions like diabetes and migraine headaches went up to 600 mg, according to Aisle7. While it is prudent to check with your doctor before using magnesium in any dose for therapeutic purposes, it is particularly important when taking doses that carry a higher risk of adverse reactions. Working with your doctor will allow her to monitor you for any negative effects.
Symptoms of Magnesium Toxicity
Signs of excess magnesium intake include nausea, vomiting, severe hypotension, reduced heart rate, confusion, coma, trouble breathing and death, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These problems can result from taking excess magnesium in any form. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes a case report of a 16-year-old girl who suffered symptoms of toxicity after taking antacids that contained aluminum and magnesium for three days at an interval of every two hours instead of the instructed four times a day. Her blood levels were five times higher than normal.
Increased Toxicity Risk and Decreased Kidney Function
If you have reduced kidney function, taking magnesium supplements in high doses or even seemingly safe doses can increase your risk of toxicity, as your kidneys have difficulty in removing excess levels of this mineral from the bloodstream. In most instances, magnesium supplementation is contraindicated if you have renal disease, but in the event supplementation proves appropriate, only your doctor can safely determine an appropriate dose, which might be lower than normal doses.
Other Adverse Effects
Magnesium and calcium compete with each other for absorption. Taking large amounts of magnesium can lead to a calcium deficiency, particularly if you already have a lower than optimal intake of this nutrient. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a calcium supplement, and eat plenty of calcium-rich foods like low-fat dairy, leafy greens, almonds and tofu.
Regardless of the amount of magnesium you take, it can interact with certain medications. It can decrease absorption of antibiotics, so take supplements and the drugs at least a few hours apart. It might also negatively interact with diabetes drugs, osteoporosis drugs and the hypothyroid drug levothyroxine. If you have heart disease, do not take magnesium in any dose without talking to your doctor first.
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