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Help! I'm at an impasse with the magnesium I've been taking for palpitations. I'm taking between 500 and 1000 mgs per day (metagenics) depending upon how much physical activity (and therefore palpitations) I have each day.
Anyway, the magnesium stopped my palpitations but immediately started causing digestive tract problems. First it caused terrible flatulence, so I reduced my daily dose (from 1000 to 500) which minimized the stink, but it didn't go away by any means. So far, to remedy the situation I've tried neem (an ayurvedic herb), probiotics, aloe vera, and slippery elm bark, all to no avail. Over the months, my digestive tract has just been getting more and more upset. About a month ago I began having intermittent nausea, which has been getting stronger and more frequent. Boy, I've been feeling lousy. Today, the nausea won over the magnesium -- vomiting happened. So tonight and tomorrow I'm off all supplements until my GI tract feels better.
I hesitate to keep taking magnesium after this. I can't live with the palpitations (they keep me awake at night and wreck my concentration during the day), but I can't live with the magnesium (my GI tract has just refused them). Any suggestions about what to do?
Thanks and best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
How are you taking the mag? You should be taking it on an empty stomach (not b/c of nausea but for best absorption).
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Reader on November 18, 2003 at 21:16:52:
Thanks, Reader,
I've been taking the magnesium all different ways, sometimes empty stomach, sometimes full. I usually take it five times a day -- when I first get up (empty) after breakfast, lunch and dinner (full) and right before bed (empty), plus whenever needed. I haven't noticed any difference in how I feel directly after I take it. The nausea has just been increasing over time as my digestive tract has become more irritated, but the nausea doesn't necessarily occur related to the timing of taking the magnesium.
Basically I am now having trouble eating because I'm so nauseous so much of the time, food sounds terrible. This is not like me at all! I just want to feel good!
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
Hi Happygal,
I started taking Natural Calm two days ago. It's a powdered magnesium that supposedly is better absorbed than the tablets. It is effervescent like Alka Seltzer and you have to mix it with a little hot water to dissolve and then add some cool water.
I have severe mag. deficiency and suffer from the palpitations, muscle cramps, etc. Up until two days ago, I was taking 800 mg. of mag. glycinate per day. The palps were under control and did not have any muscle cramps, although, my muscles are always tight (yes I do my SR and I get a monthly massage). My doc recommended the Natural Calm. He said it's the next best thing to IV's. I haven't really noticed a difference in the way I feel yet, but I did notice this morning a drainage in my sinuses. Could be coincidence, but we'll see. Check out the link.
Joanie
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
Hi HappyGal,
What is causing your defiencey? Why do you need to take such excessive amounts?
Have you been to a cardiologist? I know a few people (after my episodes in August/Sept) that found that they needed a procedure and had been great ever since...the cardiologist doesn't know why some people just begin to 'get" this but do know that the procedure works...and it stops the eating up of the mag in the body.
For the record, I take Mag. on a full stomach but chew it up beforehand (it actually has almost no flavor) and I didn't have any problems and it seemed to work well when I needed it.
I figured the adrenal fatigue from withdrawel was what made me use up too much mag...
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Michele on November 19, 2003 at 07:46:32:
Thanks, Michele.
I haven't been to a cardiologist. I went to a holistic MD who said nothing was wrong with my heart, but he couldn't tell me anything to remedy the situation. Mostly doctors are too expensive for me (if you could just go once or twice, but then they want this test and that test, and the fees start to pile up -- can't afford it).
I don't know what is causing the deficiency. Do you have any ideas? I'd love to hear them.
What "procedure" are you talking about?
Adrenal fatigue from withdrawal? Withdrawal from what?
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
You may be having an allergic reaction to some of the ingredients in the product. Some people are allergic to stearate and/or magnesium stearate which are ingredients added to aid the manufacturing process (not just for magnesium).
When your digestive system gets back to normal, you might want to try another brand of magnesium glycinate that doesn't have them.
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Joanie on November 19, 2003 at 07:03:25:
Thanks, Joanie.
It sounds interesting. I will try it.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Stearates posted by snooze on November 19, 2003 at 09:59:51:
Thanks, snooze.
I didn't know that about magnesium stearates. Interesting information. Any of the supplements I take could have it in them. I think I will reevaluate all my supplements.
Actually now that I'm off all of them, it will give me an opportunity to see how my body does by itself. Maybe there will have been some improvement and I can stop taking some things.
I'm feeling much better this morning. :o) I started thinking about eating sloppy joes and they sound delicious! :o) However I'm sticking to soft cooked rice and oat bran for today.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
may want to try magnesium taurate by cardiovasular research....I seem to tolerate this form better than glycinate...think magnesium deficiency could be caused by LGS...candida...do you have either??
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 19, 2003 at 09:35:14:
If you encounter an anxiety-producing situation, your body will try to bring the anxiety level back down by sending magnesium into your plasma which calms the nervous system. This works if your body has restored enough magnesium after the last anxiety-producing event. If not, your anxiety lasts longer and your magnesium becomes even more depleted. Eventually, you can get so low your body has trouble turning off the fight or flight response at all, and it starts taking magnesium from places where it would ordinarily be used by other body systems. Your symptoms get more severe - nervous system hyperexcitability - which unfortunately is how I came to find out about magnesium defiency first hand!
This excerpt is from an article by Dr. Leo Galland (link below), which is well worth reading if you have not seen it already.
"It appears that the body's magnesium economy is an integral part of the stress response system. When stressed for any reason, the body's hormonal reponse causes an outpouring of magnesium from cells into plasma. This outpouring is a bit like taking magnesium by injection, except the source is internal. The effect of the sudden increase in magnesium is both energizing and calming. Magnesium is needed to burn sugar for energy; it also calms the excitation of cells produced by the stress-induced release of calcium. If there is insufficient dietary magnesium, or if there is insufficient rest in between episodes of stress, the body's magnesium stores are slowly depleted. The hormonal response to stress disintegrates. The plasma magnesium does not elevate in response to stress as it should, so that the energizing/calming effect of magnesium is not present to counter the nerve-jangling effects of adrenalin and other stress hormones. Consequently, the disorganizing effects of stress are intensified and coping is impaired. Higher blood pressure, abnormalities of your heartbeat and an increased risk of heart attacks or of angina (cardiac pain) may be one result."
~snooze
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 19, 2003 at 09:35:14:
Yes, I think I had (the cardiologist didn't state one way or the other on this one) that I had adrenal fatigue from the withdrawal plus regular withdrawal symptoms...
The cardiologist I went to WANTED me to go and do a million appointments... which I said, "nada".
I went in once - and after that we hooked me up to something called "CardioNet" which is a two week test which moniters your heart all the time...and tells you in more detail than the old holter moniters, what is going on...it gives you a more precise run on exactly what types of beats and where in the chamber the beats are originating(the pvc ones) also had blood work 2x and he was open to my Smokey Lab results as well.
We found that I was eating up mag during the adrenal stress as well as potassium ...from also working out and not replenishing enough...
After I did SR, had complete withdrawal (I feel like an ex smoker though, always craving "real" coffee, honestly - still) and had a slight detox, I felt much better. I had to really change my life a LOT - including how I handled my marriage, which was more MY issues than anything with my husband...
Once I did all of this, plus 2 months of mag/cal and pot. supplements, I felt fine. I have not had them in two weeks and feel great - and this is PMS time, where I used to (for years) feel anxiety - and I have none!
I will continue my cal/mag and E next month however, during pms only.
Adrenal fatigue I think is something that can add and add...I had the abuse as a child, as you know - plus other issues as time went on into adulthood. I learned that it wasn't the situations as much as how I handled them...
Yoga has helped me SO much. Of course, I do at least an hour a day of it plus my SR... it is a time committment, but I find it's worth it to spend the time and have a great other 22.5 hours!
Michele
In Reply to: One cause: Spiraling Anxiety posted by snooze on November 19, 2003 at 12:37:06:
Very interesting!
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
I flew half way around the country to be treated by Leo Galland. I haven't believed a word he's written since. Very disapointing experience.
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
Hi Happygal,
You are so sweet and help so many others, I want to help you in any way that I can. I relate to all that you are saying and I have such muscle pain and spasms and various other symptoms that came upon me a few years ago. I am trying everything natural and safe but cannot find my answers yet.
However, regarding the magnesium, I have tried them all. I have figured out one thing about all supplements. If they have magnesium stearate or any of the other fillers, I become so ill. I am now taking Tyler Magnesium Glycinate Plus which has no fillers and I also ordered the Liquid Mag. Solution which has no fillers. If I were you, I would definitely stop any supplement with those preservatives and fillers. They make so many people ill and are terrible for the body. I respect Metagenics, however, their product is flawed in this sense.
I hope you continue to feel better and have your sloppy joes soon! Now, I think I just may have some this week!
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Lauren on November 19, 2003 at 20:30:49:
Hi Lauren,
About the liquid magnesium solution, can you please post the ingredients--what kind of magnesium and is there anything in it but water?
Regarding the Tyler Magnesium Glycinate Plus...
What's on your label? I got a bottle of Magnesium Glycinate Plus last week from my doctor. When I checked the ingredients list, it does have fillers, but not magnesium stearate. Here's the list of other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, ascorbyl palmitate [which I know is a form of vitamin C], silicon dioxide, and gelatin capsule (gelatin and water). I checked their website and it is the only magnesium product they carry.
I was very disappointed that it wasn't pure magnesium salts, so I e-mailed the company. Here is the question and their reply. The reply made me wonder if they had recently changed their formula, but she didn't answer that question. I should e-mail her back.
***********
Q: I heard that Tyler makes a magnesium glycinate supplement without excipients. I ordered a bottle from my doctor (Magnesium Glycinate Plus) and when I checked the label I found it is loaded with excipients. I could not find anything else on your website. Have you changed your
formula recently, or was I just given faulty information?
A: At ITI we pride ourselves on avoiding the inclusion of excipients in our products whenever possible. However, some excipients are required in many dietary supplements to ensure the quality of manufacturing processes. When excipients are required, ITI uses the highest quality
available and the minimum amount necessary to ensure and effective product. Tyler's Magnesium Glycinate Plus is the same formulation containing just 3 excipients. The information you received must have been mistaken.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Bush, ND
I also wanted to know how much elemental was in each capsule. "There is 110 mg of elemental magnesium per capsule of Magnesium Glycinate Plus."
Thanks for any light you can shed on this, Lauren!
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Bill on November 19, 2003 at 11:24:54:
Thanks, Bill.
I'll look into magnesium taurate.
When I took the candida questionnaire almost a year ago, I did not come up with either a high or low result, but in the middle. I didn't feel it was conclusive that I had candida. Since then, I've been so perfect on the diet I haven't even been eating fruit for almost a year, so I think if I did have candida, I probably don't any more. But I haven't looked into this lately.
And after doing SR for over 2 years, my estimation is that my LGS is pretty much under control since I no longer have the strong allergic reactions I used to have whenever I eat foods I previously had reactions to, such as dairy, eggs, etc. (unless I overdo it and eat a lot of them).
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Lauren on November 19, 2003 at 20:30:49:
Thank you so much, Lauren.
After reading the comment by snooze about magnesium stearate, I went down and looked at each of the bottles of supplements I am taking. At least 3/4 of them contain magnesium stearate. So if the stearates are the problem, I've surely been taking a lot of them!!! Egads!
However, I've been having an interesting experience. Despite the fact that I didn't take any magnesium (or B complex or any of the other supplements) since around 3 p.m. on Tuesday (yesterday), AND I haven't been eating very much either (mashed potatoes, oat bran, and boiled brocolli) I'm doing really well tonight (Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.). In fact, last night I slept well all night long, and today I had a fairly busy work day. The surprise in this is I should be a wreck by this time, but I'm not. My body hasn't tightened up, and the palpitations are not happening. So I'm wondering if my biochemistry is reorganizing itself to a higher level of function. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but I'm going to continue with the simple diet and no supplements for another day to see what happens.
Perhaps the increasing nausea was my body telling me that it's finally gotten enough magnesium and doesn't need it any more? Wouldn't that be nice?
Lauren, why don't you start a new thread and say what's going on with you and what you've tried, and we can see if we can come up with any suggestions for you. (If you put my name on it somewhere I'll be sure to see it and give an answer).
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems...questions for Lauren.. posted by Nutmeg on November 19, 2003 at 23:02:22:
Hi Nutmeg,
Did you read Joanie's post about Natural Calm? I checked out the website and the ingredient seems to be 100% magnesium with nothing else added. It's not liquid, but you mix it with liquid so perhaps the result is the same. Also the amount of magnesium in this product is given in terms of elemental magnesium, so you know exactly how much you are getting. This makes me think it is a reputable product.
Sounds like it might be a good one to me.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 18, 2003 at 20:56:11:
My guess is if it's really the magnesium, it's not the metabolized portion but the unmetabolized portion, however much better the glycinate may be compared to other forms. To settle the question, I would try WaterOz magnesium ionized water which presents almost no challenge to the digestive process, and which only required 1-2 teaspoons a day. Look up BioGro (without a "w" i think) for your best prices. Good luck Happy Gal!
In Reply to: One cause: Spiraling Anxiety posted by snooze on November 19, 2003 at 12:37:06:
Thanks, Snooze.
Walt
In Reply to: One cause: Spiraling Anxiety posted by snooze on November 19, 2003 at 12:37:06:
Thanks, Snooze.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Happygal on November 19, 2003 at 23:45:34:
Hi Happygal,
I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better! Yes, that would be wonderful if you had enough magnesium absorbed to not need it for a while. I am no authority but I do so much research in trying to help myself and others.
I am thinking that you are feeling better since taking no supplements for a while, why not continue to just eat healthy and take nothing to see what happens.
I used to take only Thorne supplements because they will not use the fillers for these very reasons. They are touted as the most clean of all supplements. I attempt to take products that have very few additional ingredients. Have you ever heard of Risotriene? That is something I am going to try after doing quite a bit of research. I also tried Culturelle and it was the best probiotic of any I have encountered. I tried Natren and all of the top rated ones but had no relief.
Thank you for suggesting a new thread, I will do that to see if I can find more relief.
I love life and am so vivacious and positive, I just want my health back --- I think you and most of us feel the same. I have enjoyed reading your posts, immensely and I thank you for your time, caring and efforts to help others!
NOW, I hope to hear a great report from you and I will wish you the best of health. I read that you may take Natural Calm, I thought of that one too but so many others said it was not a superior form, what do you think? The million dollar magnesium never ending questions?
Thank you Happygal....
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems...questions for Lauren.. posted by Nutmeg on November 19, 2003 at 23:02:22:
Hi Nutmeg,
It is the magnesium solution 18% from Cardiovascular Research http://www.painstresscenter.com/mall/MagLiq.asp]
It states that the only other ingredient is purified water so this is the one I will concentrate on taking now.
THANK YOU for letting me know about the Tyler magnesium and yes, I have the same ingredients that you have listed on yours! I suppose it is the lesser of all evils of ingredients but more safe than all of the stearates. I cannot take anything with those types of fillers. I discovered the Tyler while doing research on google; many sensitive people stated this was the ONLY one they could take. Hence, the reason I tried as I was searching for one without the stearates.
I read an article the other day about various bottled waters that contained natural magnesium and how people were being freed of ailments in this sense. Of course, I could not find those waters in the grocery. I cannot remember the names now but if you want to know, I will research again.
My mother takes Slow Mag which is the chloride form and it works wonders for her but has all of the fillers! So, I decided to try the Liquid Chloride Solution with no fillers!
Boy, this is exhausting, isn't it? laughing....
If you discover any miracles, I am here to listen with undivided attention...
Thank you Nutmeg...
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by Lauren on November 20, 2003 at 12:06:57:
Well, thank you, Lauren!
I've been eating very little these last two days and only had a little light headedness, and no fatigue, despite the fact that I worked another full day today. I am still not taking any supplements and I slept well 2 nights in a row. This whole experience is amazing and I am just going to go along with it. I do wonder if my body is reorganizing my biochemistry and will function better after this. I agree with your plan, and will not take any supplements until I really know I need them.
Tonight I have a chicken in the oven and will see if I break the fast or not. :o) Or at least have a little chicken soup.
I have not heard of Risotrene. I've taken Thorne before but not the others. It is good that there are some high quality products out there and it sounds like you are indeed an avid researcher.
I also wish that you get your health back so you can be just as vivacious as you want to be!!! Keep working on it! Although we all wish to feel better, our health challenges give us great lessons to learn, so they can still be seen in a positive light.
I now have a list of three magnesium products to try since everyone was so helpful to give me new suggestions. :o) But who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and won't need any magnesium any more!?!
What is your profession?
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems...questions for Lauren.. posted by Lauren on November 20, 2003 at 12:16:27:
mmmm
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems...questions for Lauren.. posted by Happygal on November 19, 2003 at 23:48:31:
Good thinking, Happygal. But, being a magnesium connoisseur, I've tried that one already! I still have most of a jar, so I might have another go at it since I had another mineral IV last week and should be tanked up on my supply. The first time I tried it I didn't notice any improvement in muscle spasm/pain or sleep quality. When I increased the dose up to the recommended amount, I got loose stools. I could use some of that right now, so I think I'll go brew up a cup.
Thanks!
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Magnesium causing digestive problems posted by peterb on November 20, 2003 at 07:23:54:
Happygal,
I've tried this one too. No major results, but I'm up for another test soon. You can also buy direct from WaterOz and support a family business in the middle of nowhere (central Idaho). Their catalogs are quite interesting, and they give a good break on shipping for quantity orders.
Nutmeg
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