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Magnesium Supplements Causing Diarrhea

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Initial Posting: 5/15/2018    Last Update: 5/15/2018

Question:
I started taking a magnesium supplement (400 mg from magnesium oxide) and developed diarrhea. Might there a problem with the supplement?
Magnesium Supplements Reviewed By ConsumerLab.com
Answer:
You are taking too much magnesium from a supplement, and diarrhea is known side effect of exceeding the Upper Tolerable Intake Level (the "UL") for magnesium when taken as a supplement. Magnesium that occurs naturally in foods does not cause this. Supplements should only be used to help you get to your requirement. If you must take a high amount of magnesium for medical reasons, certain forms are less likely to cause diarrhea than others. 

For details see the Dosing and how to take section of our Magnesium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among products -- covering moderate-dose as well as high-dose magnesium (in the form less likely to cause diarrhea).

Learn More About Magnesium



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COMMENTS
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Stephen19542   April 19, 2020
Which foods are high in magnesium? I cant take a supplement because of the laxative affect. And Ive tried different levels of milligrams.
Comment on Post
ConsumerLab.com   April 20, 2020
Hi Stephen - Please see the ConsumerTips section of the Magnesium Review for a list of foods that are good sources of magnesium https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/magnesium-supplement-review/magnesium/#using.
Comment on Post
Ann16846   May 16, 2018
I had that same problem. When I had an evaluation by an alternative nutritionist I was told that certain forms of magnesium cause diarrhea. I was advised to take magnesium glycinate. Have been supplementing with that form for years now and never had the same problem.
Comment on Post

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This CL Answer initially posted on 5/15/2018.
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