Does magnesium help constipation

Before taking supplemental magnesium, or any over-the-counter remedy, it is extremely important that you discuss the matter with your doctor, as only your doctor knows your complete medical history. Your physician will be able to tell you if there is anything about your medical picture that would put you at risk should you start taking a magnesium supplement. A particular red-flag would be raised if you suffer from any kind of kidney disease because magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. If your kidneys are not functioning well, you could be at risk for having excessive magnesium in your system.

Magnesium and constipation relief have been associated for a long time but the clinical evidence is not so strong as the reputation magnesium has for ending constipation.

Magnesium Citrate is used as a medication for constipation because it can be bought without a prescription from your local pharmacy or retail stores.

Magnesium supplements can take one to four hours to produce a bowel movement, but if constipation is severe it may take longer or possibly not work at all.

It is important to note that a magnesium and constipation can be related by way of taking excess calcium as a supplement. If this is the case, then magnesium is needed to balance the calcium on the digestive tract.

For this reason some people, such as menopausal women, might be better to take a calcium supplement that also contains magnesium. Always consult your physician about these types of changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

What the Research Says about Magnesium and Constipation...

Although magnesium does have a well-established reputation for its laxatives qualities, research support for the use of magnesium as a treatment of constipation is not altogether conclusive.

One of the best indicators was a 2006 study that looked at the relationship between constipation and water, fiber, and magnesium intake.

This was a fairly large study involving more than 3000 participants and showed that constipation was NOT found to be associated with low fiber intake or low intake of water from fluids.

Constipation WAS associated with low intake of magnesium and low intake of water from foods.