Taking magnesium in supplement form might help treat a range of conditions. Often, the dose greatly exceeds what your body needs for optimal functioning. Magnesium is a generally safe supplement, but side effects are always a possibility, particularly when used in larger amounts. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate dose for your needs.
Tolerable Upper Limit
Magnesium in supplement form has a safe upper intake limit, or a maximum amount unlikely to cause any adverse effects. Anyone aged 9 and over should not exceed 350 mg a day, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Children aged 4 to 8 should not exceed 110 mg, while children aged 1 to 3 should not take more than 65 mg. If you want to use magnesium supplements to treat a certain health condition, talk to your doctor beforehand, even if you plan on taking a ''safe'' dose, as side effects can occur at any amount; do not give your child magnesium in any dose without talking to your pediatrician first. These limits do not include magnesium found in the diet. If you take supplements for any reason, you do not need to worry about cutting down on magnesium-rich foods.
Considerations for Higher Doses
To treat some conditions, you might require doses beyond this safe upper limit. For example, the University of Michigan Health System reports diabetes and migraine studies have used up to 600 mg, while some for osteoporosis used up to 750 mg. These doses are not necessarily dangerous, but they carry an increased risk of adverse reactions, making it important to only use magnesium in these amounts under the supervision of a doctor who can monitor you for adverse effects. When you take natural substances in doses many times greater than your needs for basic functioning, they can pose risks similar to drugs. Remember, "natural" does not always equate with "safe."
Caution in Certain Individuals
If you have certain health conditions, you might have a particular sensitivity to magnesium, and a normally safe dose, might not be so safe for you. If you have reduced kidney function, for example, your body cannot clear out excess magnesium as efficiently, and supplements in any dose might pose a risk.The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also advises you to consult with your doctor before using magnesium if you have any heart conditions. If you have any health problems, it is always prudent to clear the use of supplements with your doctor beforehand, even if the supplement does not seem to have any direct impact on the particular condition.
Medication Interactions
Magnesium’s potential to interact with medications could influence the proper dose, provided it is appropriate to use in your circumstances. If you take insulin or other drugs to control your blood sugar, antibiotics or the diuretic amiloride, do not start taking magnesium without talking to your doctor first.
Member Comments