Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements For discussion about vitamins, vitamin deficiency, herbal remedies and other supplements.


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-24-2009, 08:34 PM #1
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
Default Magnesium questions

My first post. I've been using magnesium oxide to prevent constipation. My understanding is that magnesium oxide has a poor absorption rate - and therefore excels as a laxative.

I'm attempting to 'fine tune' my magnesium regimen. My question: Is magnesium oxide a better laxative choice than magnesium chelate - which appears to have a higher absorption rate?

I guess I'm looking for the least absorbable magnesium which should equate as being the best magnesium laxative.

Comments appreciated ~ james
jc55 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 11-25-2009, 12:51 AM #2
Peter B Peter B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 376
15 yr Member
Peter B Peter B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 376
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jc55 View Post
My first post. I've been using magnesium oxide to prevent constipation. My understanding is that magnesium oxide has a poor absorption rate - and therefore excels as a laxative.

I'm attempting to 'fine tune' my magnesium regimen. My question: Is magnesium oxide a better laxative choice than magnesium chelate - which appears to have a higher absorption rate?

I guess I'm looking for the least absorbable magnesium which should equate as being the best magnesium laxative.

Comments appreciated ~ james
I'm wondering if there are better options for what you need.
There is a risk of over dosing on magnesium with heart problems a concern.
I take the chelate version for muscle tightness relief, but it is not cheap. It also has a laxative effect.
Have you considered some of the herbal laxatives, such as Herbalax?
I take this every day to compensate for pain tablets. Easy to vary the dose as required.
I wonder if it would be both cheaper and more reliably effective than fiddling around with an unknown supplement.
__________________
See my mosaics
.

.
Peter B is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 06:52 AM #3
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

One gets about 8mg of magnesium from 400mg of magnesium oxide. This was done in studies.

Quote:
Magnes Res. 2001 Dec;14(4):257-62.
Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations.

Firoz M, Graber M.

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, NY 11768, USA.

Magnesium deficiency is seen with some frequency in the outpatient setting and requires oral repletion or maintenance therapy. The purpose of this study was to measure the bioavailability of four commercially-available preparations of magnesium, and to test the claim that organic salts are more easily absorbed. Bioavailability was measured as the increment of urinary maginesium excretion in normal volunteers given approximately 21 mEq/day of the test preparations. Results indicated relatively poor bioavailability of magnesium oxide (fractional absorption 4 per cent) but significantly higher and equivalent bioavailability of magnesium chloride, magnesium lactate and magnesium aspartate. We conclude that there is relatively poor bioavailability of magnesium oxide, but greater and equivalent bioavailability of magnesium chloride, lactate, and aspartate. Inorganic magnesium salts, depending on the preparation, may have bioavailability equivalent to organic magnesium salts.

PMID: 11794633 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
from... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11794633?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

400mg of mag oxide has 200mg of elemental magnesium, so 4% of 200mg is 8mg.

So yes, for a laxative mag oxide will work. There is a product of magnesium designed as a laxative...Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It contains magnesium oxide.
http://phillipsrelief.com/caplets.html
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 10:36 AM #4
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
Default

Thanks Peter B and mrsD,

It was after trying MOM that I 'discovered' magnesium. After considerable trial-and-error, I ended up with a daily regimen of 800 mg of magnesium oxide and 750 mg of chelated magnesium {1050 mg total daily}. This combination provides near normal regularity when split morning/eve {as long as I drink copious amounts of liquid}.

My desire to fine-tune {minimize my daily magnesium intake for the long haul}, has led me to consider replacing the 750 mg of chelated magnesium with less regular magnesium oxide - since it appears to be the least absorbed of all the magnesiums - and therefore functions best as a laxative.

I've been taking 1050 mg for over a year - and all seems well. I was just wondering about replacing the chelated magnesium with magnesium. Then, I read about magnesium citrate . . . {so many different kinds of magnesium out there}.

Thoughts? ~ james
jc55 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 11:00 AM #5
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

The chelate you have probably is mostly chelate and not much mag. For example 1000mg of magnesium malate has about 150mg of magnesium in it. The chelate portion is an organic molecule and weighs quite a bit.

The RDA for magnesium for an adult is 350mg -400mg.
Most people do not consume the RDA...the average is about 200mg if they are lucky.

So I doubt you are getting too much magnesium at this time.
The fact that you have laxative action, means not much is getting absorbed.

I have a magnesium thread here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 12:06 PM #6
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
Default

Since chelated magnesium is mostly chelate and little magnesium, it appears replacing my daily 750 mg of chelated magnesium with magnesium oxide might be the way to go. Based upon your information, my daily 1550 mg dose might be lowered to something far less of straight magnesium oxide - maybe about 1000 mg. {OH!, I errored in my previous post. I stated my daily regimen was 1050 mg magnesium. I really meant: 1550 mg - 1050 mg before breakfast and 500 mg before supper}. I shall begin experimenting with lesser amounts of {only} magnesium oxide.

I do have one remaining question: From reading the magnesium thread you provided, magnesium citrate is touted a 'a laxative.' Also, magnesium citrate is described as possessing a higher absorption rate than magnesium oxide. I've been led to equate a lower absorption rate with a having a better 'laxative effect.'

Since magnesium oxide appears to have a lower absorption rate, my simple reasoning would conclude that magnesium oxide would function better as a laxative than magnesium citrate?

Thanks ~ james
jc55 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 12:23 PM #7
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

Magnesium citrate used in large amounts is a laxative.
It is used to prep for some X-rays...but now that we have the PeG type it is less common. It is still sold in drugstores on the shelf in a glass pop bottle -- called Citrate of Magnesia

People vary in response to magnesium products. Really slow movers can tolerate more magnesium citrate than others with fast transit. It is a personal thing. So when used in small amounts some mag will be absorbed into the blood stream.

The whole idea for magnesium supplements is to have the best absorption as possible, since this mineral is so critical for the body, and 7 out of 10 Americans are deficient.

For laxative action, absorption is not the goal.
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 12:52 PM #8
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsD View Post
For laxative action, absorption is not the goal.

The whole idea for magnesium supplements is to have the best absorption as possible, since this mineral is so critical for the body, and 7 out of 10 Americans are deficient.
mrsD, please forgive my density. For maximum laxative action, wouldn't the magnesium with the least absorption rate make the best laxative?

My primary reason for taking magnesium is to establish and maintain regularity. At my current consumption rate of 1000-1500 mg of poorly absorbed magnesium oxide, I would think I'm getting enough absorption of magnesium for my normal daily requirements? My fear was in consuming too much magnesium.

james
jc55 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 01:45 PM #9
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Question

No, magnesium is not appreciably absorbed from mag oxide.
8mg/400mg dose is negligible.

The chelates give better absorption from studies, but DOSE is also a factor. Take enough of a chelate and it will be laxative too.

Based on the study I put up here, 1500mg of mag oxide would yield about 30mg absorbable magnesium (if it weren't somehow lessened by the increased motility it caused). 30mg is about 1/10 of the RDA.

Don't forget you must account for elemental values. 400mg of mag ox is about 50% mag and only 4 % of that is absorbed under ideal conditions.

So magnesium oxide is in the Laxative called Phillips caplets:
http://phillipsrelief.com/caplets.html

Magnesium citrate taken in large amounts is also laxative, and has been used that way for decades. That Citrate of Magnesia bottle is totally consumed for that effect.
http://www.allegromedical.com/otc-me...19e33618e01127
TEN ounces all at once!

While you are looking only for laxative action, what are you doing for your supplement needs? It is this that confuses me about your post.
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2009, 03:09 PM #10
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
jc55 jc55 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsD View Post
Based on the study I put up here, 1500mg of mag oxide would yield about 30mg absorbable magnesium.

So magnesium oxide is in the Laxative called Phillips caplets:

While you are looking only for laxative action, what are you doing for your supplement needs? It is this that confuses me about your post.
WOW! mrsD, Most informative! Thanks. Much appreciated information here.

Here I'm thinking I was on the verge of OD'ing, and now it appears my 1550mg {being ½ mag oxide} is actually closer to under-dosing. I appreciated the Phillips caplet URL. Their caplets are essentailly 100% mag oxide. I didn't know that.

I can see why you were wondering about the wisdom of my 'daily dose.' Even at 1550mg {only 750mg being chelated mag}, I may be falling short of meeting my daily magnesium needs. Maybe I should maintain the 1550mg and just add more mag oxide should I feel a need to increase the laxative effect.

Whole new ballgame here.

Thanks mrsD ~ james
jc55 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
mrsD (11-25-2009)
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
MAGNESIUM Information: mrsD Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements 399 06-29-2017 02:17 PM
Magnesium malate? Greyhound Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements 7 07-01-2008 03:19 PM
Magnesium PearlDoves Tourette Syndrome 4 09-06-2007 01:43 AM
Mrs D. I have a Magnesium Question! SeamsLikeStitches Peripheral Neuropathy 6 01-06-2007 07:15 AM
magnesium littlewish Myasthenia Gravis 3 11-29-2006 11:24 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:51 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.