Do I Need Additional Magnesium if I'm Taking Dietary Supplements?

Recommended daily intake of magnesium is essential for our body to stay healthy. Most people get enough magnesium from their diet but there are certain supplements that should be taken with magnesium. Learn more about magnesium supplemen

Do I Need Additional Magnesium if I'm Taking Dietary Supplements?

Recommended daily intake of magnesium is essential for our body to stay healthy. Most people get enough magnesium from their diet and don't need to take additional supplements. However, there are certain supplements that should be taken with magnesium, such as sea salt and vitamin B6. It is important to note that magnesium should not be taken at the same time as other minerals, as it can reduce the absorption of medications. We need between 300 and 400 milligrams of magnesium a day, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Magnesium and zinc can be combined in a tablet, pill, or capsule, as they don't compete for absorption into the body. Scientists are researching whether magnesium supplements could help people who already have type 2 diabetes manage their disease. People who consume higher amounts of magnesium in their diets tend to have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Extreme magnesium deficiency can cause numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, seizures, personality changes, and an abnormal heart rate.

In addition, some medical conditions and medications interfere with the body's ability to absorb magnesium or increase the amount of magnesium that the body excretes, which can also lead to a magnesium deficiency. Without magnesium, vitamin D can increase calcium levels and cause it to be deposited in soft tissue, where it can be toxic and cause certain health problems. Magnesium and calcium supplements come in both oral form (taken orally, as tablets and capsules) and in transdermal form (absorbed through the skin, such as magnesium creams and magnesium sprays). Magnesium and potassium tend to be prescribed together for certain types of diseases and ailments, rather than for daily use, in order to keep mineral intake at its proper level.

However, when you combine the amount of magnesium that people get from food and dietary supplements, total magnesium intake generally exceeds the recommended amounts. There is more than one type of magnesium supplement available on the market, and choosing the right one can make a big difference. People with kidney or heart problems should be careful when considering taking magnesium supplements, according to the National Magnesium Association. Magnesium that is naturally present in foods and beverages is not harmful and does not need to be limited.