Magnesium supplement?

jessicagreen1828
jessicagreen1828 Posts: 133 Member
edited November 15 in Food and Nutrition
What type and dosage of magnesium is the best to take to avoid laxative side effects? I've seen a lot of recommendations for taking magnesium for muscle soreness, help easing pms, and even to fight sugar cravings. I tried a 200mg magnesium tablet (mag glycinate/lysinate chelate) and stopped taking it because of the side effects. Should I take a lower dosage? Get something liquid? I'm thinking of trying magnesium citrate but it also claims to be "high absorption" which may translate to side effects

Replies

  • WickAndArtoo
    WickAndArtoo Posts: 773 Member
    I use the "natural calm" magnesium supplement at the full dose and never had any issues. Also with the powder you can start with as little as you want and work your way up so as to avoid the tummy problems. I love that product and you can get flavored or unflavored. The raspberry lemonade flavor is delicious!
  • jessicagreen1828
    jessicagreen1828 Posts: 133 Member
    Thank you! I'll look into this. I'd much rather try this as a drink than take a pill. Has good reviews too.
  • WickAndArtoo
    WickAndArtoo Posts: 773 Member
    @smoothswimgirl No problem, I hope it works as well for you as it does for me! Also it recommends on the bottle to start small and work your way up as well as split it up throughout the day (twice is what I do) so that probably helps too.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    edited January 2017
    Magnesium tends to test horribly, due to a lot of heavy metal contamination.

    https://labdoor.com/rankings/magnesium

    For example, that Natural Calm stuff she mentioned tests high in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I use a powdered magnesium citrate (natural calm). The recommended dosage is 2 tsp per day. I started small and worked my way up to 2 tsp. I have 1tsp with water in the AM and 1 tsp with hot water in the evening.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    Magnesium tends to test horribly, due to a lot of heavy metal contamination.

    https://labdoor.com/rankings/magnesium

    For example, that Natural Calm stuff she mentioned tests high in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.

    Thanks for that link...I think I might be dumping my Natural Calm and going with another one that tests better.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    Magnesium tends to test horribly, due to a lot of heavy metal contamination.

    https://labdoor.com/rankings/magnesium

    For example, that Natural Calm stuff she mentioned tests high in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.

    Thanks for that link...I think I might be dumping my Natural Calm and going with another one that tests better.

    No problem. Labdoor has been an amazing resource for me, so I spread the word whenever I can.

    So damned many shady supp makers out there. Their legions of kneejerk defenders have needed a reality slap for a while, and labdoor had given us all tge paddle.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    edited January 2017
    Have you talked to your doctor?

    They can discuss if you really need it and perhaps prescribe a medical grade to avoid heavy metals.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    Magnesium tends to test horribly, due to a lot of heavy metal contamination.

    https://labdoor.com/rankings/magnesium

    For example, that Natural Calm stuff she mentioned tests high in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.

    Thanks for that link...I think I might be dumping my Natural Calm and going with another one that tests better.

    No problem. Labdoor has been an amazing resource for me, so I spread the word whenever I can.

    So damned many shady supp makers out there. Their legions of kneejerk defenders have needed a reality slap for a while, and labdoor had given us all tge paddle.

    Looks like my fish oil scores low on efficacy as well...
  • jessicagreen1828
    jessicagreen1828 Posts: 133 Member
    I came across that same site, gallowmere1984, and found the supplement that I picked (but stopped using) was #3 on their list! I'm glad the Doctor's Best supplement was ranked well in terms of purity but it turned out to be "too effective" for me. Maybe I could try to cut the pill in half and cross my fingers.

    No, I haven't consulted a doctor about taking magnesium, but I'm certain I don't get the recommended daily intake from my diet. I do eat nuts and beans regularly but apparently the entire food supply contains even less magnesium than we think due to mag-depleted soil.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    I use the Natural Calm as well. And I use a lot. No potty problems.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    Magnesium tends to test horribly, due to a lot of heavy metal contamination.

    https://labdoor.com/rankings/magnesium

    For example, that Natural Calm stuff she mentioned tests high in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.

    Interesting. Thanks
  • demorelli
    demorelli Posts: 508 Member
    You might try just doing an Epsom salt bath or foot soak a few times a week. Epsom salts are magnesium based and absorb through the skin very well
  • jessicagreen1828
    jessicagreen1828 Posts: 133 Member
    Ok, another vote for the natural calm (glad to hear no side effects, bbell1985). Do you all go to the same GNC/vitamin store? Where do you get your supplements? I don't know what it is, but those GNC sales people are kind of off-putting to me. Also, yes the epsom salt seems safer and a nice excuse to have a little bath or foot soak
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    smoothswimgirl wrote: »
    Ok, another vote for the natural calm (glad to hear no side effects, bbell1985). Do you all go to the same GNC/vitamin store? Where do you get your supplements? I don't know what it is, but those GNC sales people are kind of off-putting to me. Also, yes the epsom salt seems safer and a nice excuse to have a little bath or foot soak

    I get my supplements from a small family owned store. Sometimes vitamin shoppe and sometimes Whole Foods.
  • WickAndArtoo
    WickAndArtoo Posts: 773 Member
    Pretty much any health food store will have it if you don't like GNC
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    smoothswimgirl wrote: »
    I came across that same site, gallowmere1984, and found the supplement that I picked (but stopped using) was #3 on their list! I'm glad the Doctor's Best supplement was ranked well in terms of purity but it turned out to be "too effective" for me. Maybe I could try to cut the pill in half and cross my fingers.

    No, I haven't consulted a doctor about taking magnesium, but I'm certain I don't get the recommended daily intake from my diet. I do eat nuts and beans regularly but apparently the entire food supply contains even less magnesium than we think due to mag-depleted soil.

    I run with Doctor's Best as well, but I use the powder format. Due to the chelate it tastes awful, but it gets in ny system quickly, which is what I want, as I dose it before bed.

    I tend to alternate that and epsom soaks. Epsom on lift days, mag powder on off days when I'm just walking with a weight vest.
  • TheDevastator
    TheDevastator Posts: 1,626 Member
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    Magnesium tends to test horribly, due to a lot of heavy metal contamination.

    https://labdoor.com/rankings/magnesium

    For example, that Natural Calm stuff she mentioned tests high in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.

    Thanks for the link. I had no idea that magnesium was full of !@#!#@. I was using KAL Magnesium Glycinate and Doctor's Best Magnesium. I'm going to drop KAL since it's high in arsenic.

    I buy my stuff from Amazon or Vitacost.com. They seem to have good prices, most of the time.
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