Signs You're Getting Too Much Magnesium
By Paul Rothbart
Essential minerals such as magnesium are important to many bodily functions and help you stay in good health. You know what they say about too much of a good thing. This certainly applies to magnesium as much as any other nutrient. In an effort to get enough magnesium, some people overdo it, taking supplements in addition to eating magnesium-rich foods. This can cause a number of health problems. It's important to know the symptoms of ingesting too much of this mineral to avoid serious issues.
How Magnesium Helps You
There are many ways that magnesium is good for your health. It's involved in many biochemical reactions in the body, such as helping digestion and turning food into energy. It's also useful in the regulation of the nervous system, muscle movement, and in forming proteins. When you factor in that magnesium also aids the production and repair of RNA and DNA, you get the idea that it's a pretty important nutrient. Too much of it on the other hand can cause symptoms.
Symptoms of Too Much Magnesium
Excess magnesium may result in difficulty breathing, especially after exercise. The condition may last several minutes or longer if the activity was strenuous. Weakness in the muscles is a symptom of both too much magnesium and too little. Muscle cramps, diminished reflexes, and confusion are other signs you may be getting too much magnesium. Another common symptom is nausea and abdominal distress. An irregular heartbeat can also be caused by large amounts of the mineral. In more extreme cases seizures or cardiac arrest may occur. The seizures can be severe and death could result from a heart problem. For this reason, the milder symptoms should not be ignored.
What to Do If You Are Having Symptoms
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are recurring, immediately stop taking any magnesium supplements you have been using. Then, make an appointment with your primary care physician for an examination, testing, and a diagnosis. Your doctor will determine whether too much magnesium is the cause of your symptoms and advise treatment. It's also a good idea to read food labels and determine how much magnesium you are taking in each day. If your symptoms are the signs of a different problem, your doctor can treat that condition.
Magnesium is one of the minerals that are essential to good health. Too much of it can cause problems, some of which may be severe or even fatal. If you suspect you may be taking too much magnesium, take the proper steps and see a doctor right away.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dawsonville, Ga.