Close

You must be logged in to love this post! Please sign in:

Close

You must be logged in to follow this post! Please sign in:

Dly1972 (Oregon) on 07/14/2018
5 out of 5 stars

As far back as I can remember, I have always been someone who only had two-three bowel movements per week. When I was pregnant with my first, I had horrible constipation and nothing seemed to work. I ended up with hemorrhoids. About four or five years ago someone mentioned trying magnesium for regularity. It has worked wonders for me and helped me to have a daily BM. I recently went to my annual physical and asked my doctor who knows I have been taking magnesium for years if it was okay that I have been using it long-term. For some reason they had in my charts that I was using the oxide version. He recommended I try stool softeners or some of the other OTC methods you see commercials for. Well, I have tried three stool softeners a day for the past several days and have only had two BM and now have hemorrhoids again. I have blood work done every year and everything always is great. I am thinking I should just go back to what was working for me.

Anyone else using mag. citrate long-term without any long-term complications? The doctor told me that the dose that is normal for prescribing is 1.7g and I am only taking 400mg every night.

REPLY   8      

Replied By Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 07/16/2018

Dly1972, actually there are concerns that the way some mag citrate is manufactured creates msg. I have used mag malate with success in the past, the malate is what is in Apple cider vinegar, now though I use food grade Epsom salts, as the body needs sulphur too. Magnesium is vital for every microscopic cell in your body. And can stop a heart attack. Best to you.
REPLY   8      

Replied By Sophie (United Kingdom) on 11/23/2023

I've been taking magnesium, both magnesium citrate and magnesium chloride (liquid version) for years. It's been great for ending constipation and insomnia.
REPLY   5      

Replied By Sam (Miami) on 11/26/2023

I do not think there are long term use consequences, quite the opposite. Also, take Cholacol by Standard Process with a large (fatty)meal and HCL, that would definitely cure your constipations.

Replied By PayItForward (PNW) on 05/19/2024

Supplementing with Magnesium Glycinate has been the best in our family. It's probably the most accessible form for your body. We take 300-500mg 1-2 hrs before bedtime. Magnesium is involved in 300+ essential metabolic reactions in our body, including regularity and better sleep, but many are deficient causing numerous health issues. If you like soaking in the tub you can add Epsom Salts (a magnesium sulfate compound) to your bath to boost your magnesium levels. For us, magnesium (and Lugol's Iodine!) supplementation are must-haves for general good health.

Also for constipation, insoluble fiber helps. Insoluble is usually better for preventing constipation compared to soluble, though both can be helpful. Insoluble fiber stays intact and won't ferment in the gut - But soluble fiber does, which can lead to bloating and gas. (Soluble fiber is digested by bacteria in the large intestine, which end up releasing gas that sometimes causes a lot of gas when following a high fiber diet). This is why very high fiber diets sometimes make IBS symptoms worse (depending on the person). So, because each person reacts to various fiber-containing foods differently, it's important to increase these foods in the diet gradually and also drink plenty of water.

For constipation, insoluble fiber foods like:

  • Wheat bran and wheat germ, Oat bran
  • Beans, lentils and legumes of all kinds (kidney, black, garbanzo, edamame, split peas, lima, navy, white, etc.)
  • Berries including blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.
  • Whole grains, especially barley, quinoa, sorghum, millet, amaranth, oatmeal and rye
  • Turnips
  • Green peas
  • Okra
  • Spinach
  • Radishes
  • Rutabaga
  • Coconut (grated flakes or flour)
  • Cocoa
  • Apples with skin
  • Pears with skin
  • Flaxseeds
  • Avocado (Florida avocados have more than California avocados)
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Potatoes and sweet potatoes
  • Dried apricots, prunes, raisins, dates and figs
  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
REPLY   2