I have been taking magnesium taurate, (brand Cardiovascular Research Ltd, recommended by cardiologist Sanjay Gupta) for over a year now, but stopped after my cryoablation October 2018
Crazy heart rhythm (no tachycardia) started persistently (after a few various short periods of the same) about 6 months later, so I started the magnesium taurate again, one capsule twice a day as directed on the bottle. I have suffered from IBS for over 30 years, but the constant upset tummies I have now are off the scale.
My heart is behaving very well, whether due to the ablation or magnesium I don’t know (I also take CO Q10 recommended by a cardiologist) I don’t want to stop the magnesium to find out really, but the constant tummy problems are taking their toll. I also take Eliquis, I have investigated the side effects of both magnesium and Eliquis, and both state diarrhoea and gastric problems.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me please?
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Jeanette49
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Yes, you can buy magnesium in powder or flake form and just add it to your bathwater, like the old fashioned bath salts. I usually get mine from TKmax, but they don't always have it.
Oh I see, unfortunately we don’t have a bath, only a shower, we live in Spain...
Thanks for suggestions though Jean, I really don’t want to stop the magnesium as I feel that it keeps my ectopics under control so well. I would be really apprehensive about stopping it and risking those awful episodes of crazy rhythm again! Maybe I should try one capsule per day.
Diarrhoea and gastroenteritis can also be a side effect of Eliquis.
I think that is because it contains lactose, so if you are very lactose intolerant it would affect you. I am lactose intolerant and have IBS but actually it doesn't seem to affect me at all.
Buy a bowl and relax a few evenings a week with your feet in the bowl with warm water and the magnesium salts, flakes or liquid. It absorbs well through skin and foot in the bowl method is well known and convenient for shower only households and the elderly.
You can use it in footsoaks and it is absorbed . I take a small dose of magnesium 100mg 3 times a day . It is a mix of taurate and biglycinate. I find this does not upset my bowels. Or at least I don't think so - having had a colectomy my transit is erratic anyway!
My mother would not let my sister dye her hair, coz she said the chemicals go through your skull and damage your brain ! ... Our only hope in the formation overload age, is to cling to science....
Like jeanjeannie, I use a magnesium oil spray on my skin, instead of taking capsules/tablets. That way it bypasses the digestive system and reaches where it’s needed without the side effects. (Or that’s the aim!)
I would also bath in the magnesium flakes but I have bad eczema, and that’s too painful on my broken skin.
I use MagEssentials ultrapure magnesium oil spray (I get it on amazon) - I’ve tried various different ones when this has been out of stock, but always return to it, because by far it has the best results for me.
Might be worth switching to see if it is the magnesium affecting your stomach? Hope you find some relief. xx
I may be wrong, but I’ve heard that the itchiness is a sign your body needs it. My skin used to itch when I first stared using it some years ago, but never does now.
Oh my goodness I think you are right, I have been taking the capsule form of Taurate for the past few weeks, tonight following my shower I got the spray out and used it, the tingling itching was greatly reduced. That is not a coincidence. Thank you.
The reason I stick to one type is just because I found it worked for me. I chanced upon the brand I use by reading up
about where the magnesium oil is sourced most purely, and reading reviews, and deciding this was a good one to try. It’s also more reasonably priced than many more well known brands.
Arrhythmia-wise it’s always impossible to know if something’s genuinely having an effect, isn’t it, as there’s so many variables! But both ectopics and AF did reduce massively from a week or two onwards after I started using this regularly every day, and immediately I felt a benefit in my relaxation and sleeping. It was like my body relaxed all over, amazing for a tense kind of person!!
I honestly thought there was probably a placebo effect going on (but was happy to go with it if it worked!). Then about 6 months ago, i had several nights where I didn’t feel that nice soporific relaxing feeling, and lay wakeful at night again. I assumed the placebo effect had worn off- but then I checked the magnesium oil bottle and realised I’d started using a different brand (it looked similar and it was a gift, so I hadn’t noticed). Through trial and elimination I’ve found my Mag Essentials to work best for me. (Not to say it would for everyone of course!)
About the skin issues, Tikaneko, I agree with what others here have written - if you use it and it’s making unbroken skin itchy or stinging then it may be just that you need the magnesium. So the theory is that if you push through, it will get better.
If (like me) your skin is broken and sore, putting magnesium oil on is going to keep stinging! I’d much prefer to take it in tablet form if I could - but taking long term PPIs mean that I wouldn’t absorb the magnesium if I took it orally.
I find the pain is minimised (and soaking in is maximised) if I shower before putting it on, spray it on to the least sore parts of me and rub it in. I leave it on for 30 mins, then shower it off. It is totally worth the bother and the discomfort for me. Oh and as a very happy side effect, my skin is now softer
Hi Jane I just disolve the salts in warm water in a spray bottle. If you have a look at the contents label of the sprays in the health shops, you will see the majority contain epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) and water!
Brilliant, thanks! Great tip. I can only afford the magnesium oil by getting it as birthday and Christmas gifts (I’m currently off work & money is v tight) so I’m v grateful for a cheaper alternative! Xx
Hi JaneFinn I don't get a chance to read healthunlocked everyday as I am still working I'm also a carer and do bnb from home but each time I see your posts I find similarities to my own conditions. Can I ask are you on Apixaban and have you always suffered with eczema ? I'm curious because I have developed it for the first time in my 60 years on this earth since being on Apixaban. Sorry I should message you privately but I don't know how to. I live near your area too I think. Thanks in anticipation. Angela
Hi Angela! I have always had eczema, so mine isn’t associated with the apixaban - I wonder if yours is though?
I’ll private message you - you’ll see the ‘private message’ (PM) option if you look at the top of your screen, where there’s several icons. The one with two speech bubbles is the PM one. You’ll find my message there
(But not til later - appointments to deal with first !) xxx
A normal doctor's surgery magnesium blood test shows almost always OK. What you need is the Magnesium red cell test, I am sure somebody in Spain will do it. I have been having regular 6 monthly checks sending my blood to BioLab in London trying to get my Mg level up to the upper quartile. Evidently, a lot of calcium in your diet (e.g. cheese, cream, butter, milk) can block absorption of Mg so reluctantly I have now started cutting dairy products which I love by 80%. I agree with others here and use a lower dose of an Mg compound orally (as a full dose upsets my tum) topped up with an mg spray twice a day.
I had my ablation 5 months ago and still take magnesium,using the same brand, cardio vascular research, and find one a night is enough before bed and much more manageable on the stomach if taken with food, something like a slice of toast .
So far as I know, the body will only absorb the magnesium it needs, with the remainder excreted in the urine or, mostly, passing unchanged through the gut to be excreted. If more than is needed by the body is taken, such as in the form of a supplement or as a laxative, the excess magnesium ions in the gut force water to be osmotically absorbed in an effort to dilute the magnesium levels. This has the effect of softening the stool and making it easier to pass.
However, if the bowel is extra sensitive to distension (as in IBS) then, as I find myself, colicky pains are the result.
Magnesium taurate contains proportionately small amounts of magnesium and is supposed to be absorbed well - but so far as I can understand, if the magnesium isn't needed by the body, it will still be excreted and so could have some laxative or osmotic effect, hence possibly causing IBS pains in some people. I find that the 600mg tablets / day I take doesn't affect my IBS, whereas if I take a dose of Milk of Magnesia (which has far more magnesium available), it's one of the best laxatives I know - but does cause me to have IBS symptoms.
Magnesium glycinate which Sanjay has also mentioned is supposed to be the kindest on the gut. There is a lot of controversy with sprays and creams as to whether much is actually absorbed through the skin ( molecules too big)but I used the spray ( which is called an oil but isn't it's just magnesium in solution) and found it helped . I didn't care why it worked as long as it did but didn't like sticky residue. I only take one 125mg cap of the brand the OP uses and this helps a great deal with ectopics. I love nuts and seeds and spinach so have a good intake of Mg anyway I hope. Realise those are not ideal additions to an IBS prone person's diet! maybe try reducing dose or low dose glycinate
I am taking Magnesium citrate capsule 150 ( no other available in store) before bed time, hoping it stops PAF episodes and help with sleeping pattern.
it doesn't helps 100%. Today, at the morning I have severe AF episode.
Unless, I take Bisoprolol as PRN the arrhythmia don't stop,
Thanks God, I can feel the Palpitation.
And of course, I am taking Eliquis that hopefully will prevent from blood clots.
Actually, I confused with all those type of Magnesium that has been discussed here .The keyword is Magnesium , but what and how much is additional substances?
Gupta said that one is not worse than an other..Older people have a bunch of problem, including PAF. Defenetly, personal approach is required.
Can I require dr. for Magnezium red cell test.
The regular one show the Magnezium level is normal.
I take the same Mg taurate and I can only tolerate one capsule per dsy . If I take more then my stomach complains. Taking just the one though seems to have stopped my ectopics. Perhaps try just one capsule.
Why not stop the magnesium or halve the dose to see if it does in fact make a difference to either the stomach discomfort or the ectopics? You could always resume taking it. I would also check to see if the magnesium is advised as it is not effective for everyone. Another possibility would be to switch the type of magnesium to, say, magnesium citrate.
I had too but when I passed out and ended up in hospital, I was low in Magnesium. Diagnosed with AFib. Magnesium advocate group on Facebook has good information.
Still not sure how taking mag citrate could take it out of the body. Could you say a bit more about this? I thought that citrate or taurate were both acceptable.
To be perfectly honest, I am petrified of stopping the mg completely in case those crazy ectopics return, they go on for hours. I know it makes sense to do it, especially as it could prove once and for all whether the ablation has halted them or indeed it is the mg, thus the ablation would prove to be ineffective.
I am too nervous to try, not sure what my cardiologist will say though. 🤔
Like you, I've had IBS issues so have been wary over some types of Magnesium. I don't know about the Eliquis, but I've slowly 'built up' my dosage so that I am now taking Magnesium taurate (and another Magnesium 'mix' branded as 'Fullnesium') giving me a combined daily total of ~130mg from Taurate, and another ~130mg from Bisglycinate, Malate, Citrate and Oxide. So far, so good - definately has helped with the PAF.
Maybe, slowly change the dosages, or try another brand?
Like you I also take CoQ10 along with L-Carnitine, Resveratrol and a few other bits and pieces to supplement a largely vegetarian diet (some occasional fish).
Fot the IBS, I found Silicol gel REALLY effective.
Manesium oxide is not well absorbed, frequently causes diarrhea, and is cheap. Citrate may cause diarrhea if too much is taken. The others should be fine.
Taurate generally is not a form of magnesium that effects the gut like that. But, I'm sure it can. I am using Calm now. It has some taurate in it along with two other forms. I also have IBS and it does not bother me. But then, the taurate didn't either. I've been told that ablation sometimes causes odd things with the heart for awhile and then stops. So it may not be the taurate that actually helped that.
Other doctors recommend magnesium, I quite like the blog by Dr John drjohnm.org
I think Dr Gupta is a bit of a self publicist but he has some interesting and reassuring ideas and a caring manner. I haven't looked recently, but he also like to discuss things that are not mainstream, and I think this is important; there is not enough challenge of mainstream ideas in medicine generally, and people often get branded as heretics for suggesting new perspectives or for challenging orthodoxies. Although we need to take some things with a pinch of salt generally as there is sometimes a fine line on the internet between radicalism and quackery.
And to confirm to anyone who might be unsure, that when any of us refer to Dr Sanjay Gupta, we mean the highly respected York cardiologist who gives so much of his time for free to help educate, reassure and radically improve the cardiac health of people across the U.K. and beyond. And he is in no respects a quack. Very very far from it. I am pretty outraged that any such accusation can even be associated with him. As you and others have said, the name must have been confused with a self-promoting USA TV doctor of the same name. Our Dr Sanjay Gupta only promotes health and understanding, and does so with humility, wisdom and immense generosity.
(Sorry, if that sounds a bit ranty! But I couldn’t bear anyone skimming through the thread to go away with a false view of someone who does so much good.)
Sorry, mbheart (and the USA Dr SG) - that was a stupid and careless thing for me to accidentally imply. I know nothing of him, and you were absolutely right to pull me up on that x
No problem -- I appreciate your reply and honestly, I am just really trying to learn if there are concerns about the US Dr. SG as I had not heard anything. Yes, he is on CNN and I do see him on TV but I had not heard anything negative about him.
I use taurate (one tablet Per day) a small amount (powdered) citrate ... l would never ever give up my magnesium ... the instant l started using it l noticed an immediate improvement in the functionality of my heart.... l additionally take magnesium baths ... my body is probably over loaded with magnesium but blood tests are okay.
I use a chelated form of magnesium glycinate I have also started taking taurine, an amino acid. Both magnesium and taurine play a major role in heart rythem function at a micronutrient level. Your simple blood test may say your magnesium level is just fine, but a more accurate blood test is called a RBC magnesium blood test that evaluates the magnesium at a cellular level. It's also no surprise that the magnesium affects your stomach as it is used to aid constipation problems.
An excellent article on how magnesium and other nutrients effect heart arrhythmias cab be found at:
I use Mag Glycinate with no side effects (I buy the Pure Formulas Mag Glycinate)
Which specific claims of Sanjay Gupta indicate that he is a quack? The article you provided the link to does not refer to him, but makes generalised claims about *some* TV doctors -Dr Oz) in particular. Clearly, it doesn’t follow from this that all claims made by all TV doctors are quackish.
That doesn’t answer my question as you have not stated specifically what SG has said which is supposed to make him a “quack”.
I don’t see how the fact that *some* TV doctors may get kickbacks for promoting products is relevant to SG as, firstly, he is not a TV doctor and, secondly, he has not promoted a particular brand of magnesium; he has advocated taking a magnesium supplement for some patients-such supplements are available from dozens of different manufacturers.
Oh dear, I'm always sad when I see your name come up in a thread. Why are you always so depressingly negative? I don't think I have seen an encouraging or supportive statement from you on any threads; someone always seems to get "wound up" by you, something that is not very good for AF sufferers who should be avoiding stress!
Yep, had my say on his negativity so cheerfully back to ignoring him as is my usual practice. Thankful that other forum members are encouraging and sharing, which makes this a great place to come for positive support, particularly when AF throws you an unexpected curved ball and you need some advice and reassurance that you're not alone.
Half a tablet of Aldi 85% dark chocolate a day and one Enzyme Q10 capsuleis what I have taken for a long time with no probs. I listen to everybody then take my own advice!
Me again. I just found this comment from Dr John in a useful blog on the subject which I was prompted to read:
' Some patients report benefit from magnesium supplementation. I have found it helpful in my case of atrial premature beats. Let me repeat, I am not promoting supplements. Healthy patients with benign arrhythmia might try taking magnesium, especially at night. Don’t take magnesium if you have kidney disease. And if you take too much, watch out for diarrhea.'
There are 2 doctors named Sanjay Gupta, one a "tv" doc on CNN in the US, which you are probably referring to, the other the respected Cardiac consultant and not a "tv" doc in York UK that folks here are referring to.
Sanjay is a respected member of this forum. I have had a consultation with him and can assure you the advice and support did not smell of quackery. I am a retired Clinical Nurse Specialist ( nothing to do with cardiology) and was very grateful for grounded and measured responses to my concerns. I fear you are confused by the US based Dr Gupta about whom I have no knowledge.
Quack is reserved for people that hide behind years of academic work and the claim synthetic medicine like amiodarone is the treatment for afib which at best is a mineral deficiency and at worse is a secondary issue from a liver problem.
Your one liner heckles represent the depth of your thinking.
He advised 100mg three times per day, but I can get a bit forgetful with these kind of instructions, so I found a Co Q10 containing 300 mg and just went with that once a day.
you could try switching to ReMag, a brand of Magnesium in liquid form that gets absorbed easily and without causing stomach issues even at higher doses. I don't often make actual brand recommendations but I have been taking it for years and it works very well for me in keeping my palpitations to a minimum.
I think that you maybe should consult a different consultant and run through all your problems. Off the top of my head (not a doctor but have had AF and a successful ablation) I think you should explore the possibility of a repeat ablation. The stress of the added problems of stomach symptoms could in themselves cause Atrial flutter or even AF. Many people suffer AF but as it is paroxysmal can live with it and doctors don't normally consider ablation. Good luck, I hope that you find a solution that suits you.
I agree with wheezybronch above. A second ablation might help. My AF returned 24/7 9 months after my first ablation. The second ablation in 2017 has worked better so far, with just occasional episodes which stop on their own.
I still take Flecainide and Bisoprolol though. When I halved the Flecainide the AF got worse.
I do use magnesium oil by BetterYou and try and eat more Magnesium rich foods and also concentrate on Potassium levels (very important too especially if you take diuretics for BP). After being sceptical at first I now believe this may be helping. I don't take supplements.
But I have read of someone who halved his magnesium glycinate dose and his ectopics improved. You can definitely take too much!
Dr Sanjay Gupta, of York Cardiology , has helped many people. I really do think that perhaps you might need to investigate more thoroughly before discrediting people with such a sweeping statement .
Indeed I was referring to the other Sanjay, he is based in the UK, I come from the UK, anyone with a modicum of intelligence should be able to understand this.
Not everything is about the USA! I suggest you step away from this topic, unless of course your sole purpose is to cause dissension...this would seem probable judging from other members comments about you!!
Yes magnesium taurate gave me bad stomach aches l can however tolerate magnesium citrate 100mg as long as taken with food ..l do realise however that we are all different with varying degrees tolerance also severity of symptoms..l wish you well..
I have just started taking the magnesium taurate which I saw was highly rated but only one this morning so far and can't say it has disturbed my stomach unduly though it is early days yet and we are all different! I have previously used flakes in the bath and the oil but not daily and I have a diet fairly rich in magnesium anyway- the last episode was on Saturday just after getting to sleep but was over in an hour thanks to flecainide as PIP!
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Magnesium Taurate recommendation
Magnesium taurate
Magnesium Taurate
Magnesium Taurate
