The Ins and Outs of Magnesium Carbonate

by CT Arzneimittel GmbH under CC BY-ND

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It seems that every day there are new suggestions in health care. Many are related to diet, some to exercise and then others to supplements for our body that we may be missing in our regular diet. All of the information can get a bit overwhelming.

Recently much attention has been given to supplements and how they benefit us in supporting our body’s overall health. Since many of the foods we eat have been processed and stripped of valuable nutrients, it may be necessary to replace those in our diet with wholesome nutrients. If you walk into your local health food or vitamin shop, you will see hundreds, if not thousands of bottles of supplements. Where do you start?

It may be important depending on your health condition to ask for assistance from your doctor or nutritionist. One supplement that can be recommended is magnesium carbonate. Magnesium originates in nature in the minerals of dolomite and magnesite and in many limestones. When adding carbon dioxide to the compounds of magnesium, it produces this manufactured supplement.

This product has several uses commercially and for the body. It can be used to insulate pipes and boilers against heat. But, on the other hand, it can be used in products like makeup, glass, rubber, and ink. This nutrient is also used in drugs like laxatives and antacids. It can sometimes be hard to think through how one substance can have so many varied uses, and is it safe for human consumption or use.

If you know you have a low level of magnesium in the body your doctor may suggest a magnesium supplement. This will often come in the form of magnesium carbonate. A low level of magnesium can affect the normal function of nerves, cells, bones, muscles, and the heart.

Most of the time a normal level of magnesium is taken in by your diet, but in some instances this is not enough. There are conditions that can affect this level in your body. For instance, if you are being treated with a diuretic pill, battle alcoholism, have a poor diet or have other medical issues that cause severe diarrhea or vomiting, then you may need a supplement.

When taking magnesium carbonate it is advised to take it with a meal and/or a full glass of water. Some people may need to use both food and a large amount of water to protect against stomach upset. Take the recommended dose at the same time each day. It is recommended to use this on a continual basis, especially if you suffer with any of the medical conditions listed above or others where this level is compromised in your body.

The two main side effects noted with the use of this supplement are stomach upset and diarrhea. Sometimes these will go away with extended use, but check with your doctor if they continue. Magnesium carbonate has proven to be helpful for other things like migraine headaches and dialysis patients. It seems to be a multi-purpose type of product with great benefits.