What is magnesium diarrhea?
Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for human life. Especially for muscle and nerve activity, magnesium has proven to be essential. However, the human body cannot produce magnesium itself, which is why it must be supplied through food.
The recommended daily intake is 200 to 300 milligrams. If the daily intake of magnesium exceeds 300 milligrams, this usually has an effect on intestinal activity. The magnesium can no longer be absorbed in its entirety into the body’s circulation and therefore remains in the intestine. This can eventually result in soft stool or even diarrhea.
The causes
The cause of diarrhea caused by magnesium is relatively simple. The magnesium is absorbed through food or tablets so that it first passes through the normal digestive tract. After the magnesium has passed through the stomach, it finally reaches the intestines.
In the intestine, there are special channels that absorb the magnesium from the intestine and release it into the bloodstream. Through this mechanism, the magnesium reaches the appropriate parts of the body or the organs where it is needed. If there is an increased absorption of magnesium through food or tablets, the channels in the intestine reach their maximum after some time, so that not all the magnesium can be absorbed.
The remaining magnesium remains in the intestine. Due to the increased concentration of magnesium in the intestine, more water is drawn into the intestine. This dilutes the stool that has formed and results in very soft stool or even diarrhea.
The accompanying symptoms
The symptoms of increased magnesium concentration can be highly variable and non-specific. However, it can be said in general terms that the intensity of the symptoms increases as the concentration of magnesium rises. As a rule, those affected first notice the soft stool or diarrhea.
However, such complaints can be quickly remedied and therefore have no disease value. If, however, the magnesium concentration continues to rise, this can have effects on the nervous system and the heart in addition to intestinal activity. Symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, vomiting, slowing of the heartbeat and breathing or a drop in blood pressure are possible consequences.
Particularly in the case of known kidney weakness, the amount of magnesium supplied daily should be taken into account, as the magnesium can no longer be excreted properly and it accumulates in the body. Flatulence is caused by increased air accumulation in the intestines. The air in the intestine consists mainly of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nitrogen.
There are several known causes that cause this flatulence. Flatulence is often attributed to digestive problems. However, it is not uncommon for stress or a hasty meal to be the cause.
In addition, flatulence is often associated with an increased magnesium intake. About 20% of all respondents who had taken magnesium tablets subsequently stated that flatulence occurred. This is because the magnesium intake cannot be completely absorbed and accumulates inside the intestines.
This in turn leads to an increased amount of water in the intestinal tract and thus to an increased metabolism. Due to an increased metabolic activity, more carbon dioxide is also produced, which manifests itself as flatulence in those affected. An increased magnesium intake often causes discomfort within the digestive tract – especially the intestine.
Various mechanisms can result in soft stool, diarrhea and flatulence. Especially diarrhea and flatulence are often associated with abdominal pain. The increased amount of water that accumulates inside the intestine and ultimately causes the diarrhea causes increased irritation of the intestine.
Especially the soft to liquid stool, which moves through the intestine faster than usual, is registered by the body as unusual and often associated with a general feeling of discomfort. In addition to the increased amount of water in the intestine, the increased accumulation of air within the intestine can also cause pain, which can even lead to abdominal cramps. Diarrhea and flatulence, which are often triggered by increased magnesium concentrations in the body, can be quite painful.
Excessive accumulation of air in the abdomen can cause parts of the intestine to press on the stomach, the salivary gland or other organs within the abdomen. The accompanying feeling of fullness is also often experienced as unpleasant by those affected.The causes of abdominal cramps may be acute swelling of abdominal organs as well as stretching of the intestine. As a reaction to the stretching, the muscles of the intestinal wall contract spasmodically, resulting in severe pain.
