Should magnesium citrate supplement capsules (150 mg) produce bowel movement within 6 hours?

#1

Should magnesium citrate supplement capsules (150 mg) produce bowel movement within 6 hours?
I’m currently taking magnesium citrate supplements one capsules twice per day one in the morning and one in the night. Each capsule is 150 mg. I’m taking it because I’m doing the low-carb diet right now so I wouldn’t want to have an electrolyte imbalance. Upon searching on the Internet, I’m finding warnings about magnesium citrate (but the liquid, and meant for those who’re having constipation) that if no bowel movement is initiated within 6 hours of taking it, the patient should call their doctor right away.
I searched everywhere online about whether the same is applicable to magnesium citrate capsules but couldn’t find anything. The thing is I’m not having bowel movements within 6 hours of taking one but at the same time, I’m not having constipation and like I said, I’m taking it just for supplementing my diet. So, should I be worried (or contact my doctor) if no bowel movements occur?

thanks!

(Omar) #2

6 hours?

It is a little odd that they put a time frame that can be applied to all cases.

Yes magnesium helps bowel movement specially if you are low in magnesium.

In all cases, 300mg is not a high dose anyway.

#3

The citrate I take is known for better absorption. You could try substituting some of that Mg citrate with Mg oxide, which isn’t absorbed very well, but it does draw water into the gut. Go easy at first, or you might have the opposite problem.

[Edit]
Ooops. I glossed over that part about not being constipated.

(Jennibc) #4

If you are not constipated, don’t worry about it. I think the call your doctor recommendation if because of concern of a blockage in the colon, not because Magnesium citrate isn’t working properly. I am pretty sure any laxative product will have something like that on it’s labeling.

(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #5

What brand. I’ve been looking for mg citrate and haven’t found what I was looking for yet.

tks

(Todd Allen) #6

The bottles of magnesium citrate solution typically have 15 to 20 grams. You can probably get a similar bowel movement effect by taking 100+ of your capsules at a time.

#7

It’s a brand called Doctor’s Best chelated magnesium citrate. I’ve never had gut problems with it even if I take it without food.

(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #8

Thanks so much

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

You might work on keeping your salt intake in the healthy range (10-15 g/day of sodium chloride), since proper sodium levels aid in keeping potassium, magnesium, and calcium balanced, as well.

(Ben ) #10

O what a relief it is https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-magnesium-citrate-saline-laxative-oral-solution-lemon/ID=prod5601649-product . A few days with too much asparagus plugged me up.