Side Effects of Magnesium

Most people get enough magnesium through diet. It is also present in calcium supplements and antacids. It is also available as magnesium oxide. Magnesium is needed for the overall health of the body. It is important to note that the side effects of too little and too much magnesium are quite similar.

Brain

• Too little magnesium can cause seizures and personality changes. Too much magnesium can also lead to changes in mental state.

Coronary

• Coronary complications such as irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure can occur with too much magnesium. Too little can also lead to an irregular heartbeat but it can also lead to cardiac spasms.

Nervous System

• Numbness, tingling, muscle cramps and spasms are signs of low magnesium while excess magnesium can lead to muscle weakness.

Gastrointestinal

• Gastrointestinal discomfort due to both low and high magnesium include diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

Respiratory

• Too much magnesium can cause breathing difficulties.

Hypocalcemia and Hypokalemia

• Extremely low magnesium levels have been reported to cause low levels of calcium (Hypocalcemia) and potassium (Hypokalemia).