The 'right' kind of Magnesium supplement? - Thyroid UK

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The 'right' kind of Magnesium supplement?

Mlinde profile image
26 Replies

For the past couple of years I've been taking Magnesium L Threonate, for night cramps and it's worked extremely well but a couple of weeks ago, I had to switch to Magnesium Oxide as I couldn't get my usual. In any case, since I switched, my tummy has not been right (diarrhoea). Could the Magnesium Oxide be the cause? Elsewise, there are no other symptoms, I feel fine. I've been taking 375mg, twice a day but today I stopped.

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Mlinde profile image
Mlinde
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26 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

I had to switch to Magnesium Oxide as I couldn't get my usual. In any case, since I switched, my tummy has not been right (diarrhoea). Could the Magnesium Oxide be the cause?

Absolutely. Magnesium oxide is the form used for constipation. Also magnesium citrate. They can both cause diarrhoea.

Here are a couple of links explaining what the different forms may help with:

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

drjockers.com/best-magnesiu...

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toSeasideSusie

You beat me to it Seaside! I did a little research, whoops!!! Luckily I found a new source today for the L Threonate version. I don't know why I didn't connect the dots until now! Thanks anyway.

m

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toMlinde

Glad you're sorted :)

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toSeasideSusie

Interestingly, Natural News don't mention L Threonate, not sure why

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Oxide and hydroxide are poorly absorbed and will cause diarrhoea. I use magnesium citrate and find it well absorbed and good. Other forms should be fine although I found chelated magnesium of no use.

LAHs profile image
LAHs

That's interesting, I just started a Magnesium supplement (an Mg, Ca, Zn mix) and I just started having leg cramps especially at night. Had one just last night as a matter of fact. They wake me up, I go a little walk around my bed or to the bathroom and by then they have gone away. I didn't take the supplements for any particular reason I just thought the zinc would help a bit during the pandemic. I do feel great since I have been taking them though, I've got a lot more energy - well, except for the leg cramps at night.

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toLAHs

Well, I've been using Magnesium L Threonate for several years and it doesn't stop cramps completely just about 95% of the time and positively no side effects thank goodness. The downside is tracking it down. I finally found another company, peaksupps.co.uk/products/ma... and a reasonable price.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toLAHs

LAHs

You might be interested in this article about supplements and how to take them and what to avoid taking at the same time:

webmd.com/vitamins-and-supp...

scroll down to

If You Take Mineral Supplements

Large doses of minerals can compete with each other to be absorbed. Don’t use calcium, zinc, or magnesium supplements at the same time.

It makes you wonder why they would put all of those into one supplement.

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toSeasideSusie

I read the label

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toMlinde

I read the label

Sorry, you've lost me there. What's that reply in reference to?

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toSeasideSusie

This:

SeasideSusie

LAHs You might be interested in this article about supplements and how to take them and what to avoid taking at the same time: webmd.com/vitamins-and-supp... scroll down to ...

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toMlinde

That was a response to LAHs pointing out that her supplement contains 3 minerals that shouldn't be taken together.

LAHs profile image
LAHs in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks SsS, and you know, I bought the Mg,Ca,Zn from the hospital pharmacy while I was waiting in line for my Armour. They have shelves of OTC Pharmacy stuff so that you will buy a little more while you wait. A little bit like the magazines you see for sale in the check out line at the supermarket. But thanks.

janeroar profile image
janeroar in reply toLAHs

Is that calcium in the mix? Generally not advised any more I think as it’s been shown to clog arteries.

RButus profile image
RButus in reply tojaneroar

Calcium in combination with magnesium? Or the zinc?? That's scary!

LAHs profile image
LAHs in reply toRButus

It was all in the same tablet. Pretty stupid eh?

janeroar profile image
janeroar in reply toRButus

As far as I’m aware it’s the calcium that should be avoided. There was a fashion for it a few years ago until the research came out. I don’t think it’s a good idea to take supplements unless you absolutely need them. Unfortunately as you know people with Hashimotos are often depleted in vitamins because our bodies can’t absorb as much from food due to poor digestion. Zinc is one mineral often needed and so is magnesium ( I take both) but I’ve never heard that calcium is generally needed by people with hashis.

RButus profile image
RButus in reply tojaneroar

In my case as I was off dairy and osteopoenic (I made that up) I bought calcium which also had magnesium, zinc and Vit D all in one...bladder issues excluded my usual mag supps so I was interested to see this comment. Thanks for yours!

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toRButus

I don't think that combo is a good idea! Firstly, the Vit D, it should be used with Vit K for best absorption, the Zinc before a meal and what kind of magnesium, you don't say? Plus it's weird combination!

RButus profile image
RButus in reply toMlinde

Thanks, Mlinde, I was taking K alongside. I stopped taking the combo a month ago after taking it for a month (can't remember which form of mag it was, but bought it to replace my usual mag with B6) and am finding it hard to replace my multivit/mins with anything that doesn't irritate the bladder (B6 and C are major culprits but many are dodgy). The only buffered ones (very rare) can contain inulin which is a no-no for my IBS, and my diet being limited by IBS and bladder sensitivity I'm between a rock and a hard place trying to supplement nutrients. Blurt over...

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toRButus

Well I take Magnesium L Threonate, it doesn't affect my stomach (Mag Oxide will give you the squirts!) and apparently, it's the only one that reaches the brain, though what that implies I have no idea.

RButus profile image
RButus in reply toMlinde

I take it to achieve squirts! Actually citrate is best for constipation (I have IBS-C) but irritates the bladder. I also like to take mag for energy and a bit of help with stress...so I miss it.

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toMlinde

Ha! Okay, best magnesium oxide, trust me!!!

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply toRButus

Check this page for info on it:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

LAHs profile image
LAHs in reply tojaneroar

Yes, I have never been big on Calcium tablets, I drink a lot of milk anyway, it was just the Zinc I was after and thought a bit of Magnesium couldn't hurt - and I rarely go out of my way to buy vitamins and there they were, next to me in the line.

blackwaratah profile image
blackwaratah

I can't seem to take any magnesium supplement without getting a bad stomach, even ionic magnesium disagrees with me (but not quite as badly), so I use magnesium oil (ie transdermal magnesium). It's expensive to buy so I make my own from magnesium chloride flakes and distilled water. Thankfully I don't get night cramps but my mum said it definitely helped against hers.

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