Magnesium Carbonate Supplements – The Complete Guide

Magnesium Carbonate is a white, powdery compound found in the mineral Magnesite.  It is well known as a health supplement – and with good effect.

The active ingredient in Magnesium Carbonate is simply Magnesium, a vital mineral that plays many important roles in the functioning of our bodies.

You can check out our premium Magnesium Carbonate supplement here.

Lack of Magnesium is a common dietary deficiency in the US, even though it is an essential mineral that your body requires. Researchers estimate that almost half of the US population has a Magnesium deficiency (1).

Benefits of magnesium carbonate

Benefits of Magnesium:

Magnesium is beneficial in many ways for your body. In fact, it’s in every cell in your body! Below are a few of the major benefits of the mineral known as Mg.

1. Magnesium Helps to Increase Energy Levels

Magnesium work to increase your energy levels by activating adenosine triphosphate (known as “ATP”) in the body (source). ATP is the energy currency of the cell, meaning, it’s your body’s primary molecule for storing and transferring energy in cells.

Deficiency in Magnesium leads to less ATP being activated in your body, which leads to less energy overall. Eat magnesium rich foods, or take a magnesium supplement, to make sure you get your daily recommended intake.

 

Interested in a high quality Magnesium supplement? Check out our U-Mag relaxing drink mix here.

2. Magnesium Helps to Calm Nerves

Magnesium is important for binding and activating GABA receptors, which helps to produce Serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness.

Without adequate Magnesium, we are unable to effectively activate GABA receptors. This leads to less Serotonin, which can result in feelings of stress and negative mood.

In addition to calming nerves, Magnesium also helps your muscles to relax.


3. Magnesium Helps to Improve Sleep Quality

Magnesium helps to increase Renin and Melatonin production in your body, two crucial hormones that regulate sleep (source). 

In addition to that, Magnesium’s calming affects (mentioned in point #2) are beneficial for helping your body to wind down at night. Consider a fizzy magnesium drink before bed!

You could also take a natural sleep aid that contains magnesium, our Stay Asleep nighttime formula is made with chelated magnesium, and is the perfect sleep aid to take before bed!

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Common Magnesium Deficiency Signs:

Magnesium deficiency is quite common in the US. This is due to insufficient magnesium levels in the fruits and vegetables we consume. Getting enough magnesium through diet alone is difficult!

Below is a list of some common deficiency signs.

• Muscle Cramps and Spasms

• Trouble sleeping & fatigue

• Headaches

• Loss of Appetite

• Numbness or tingling

Side Effects of Magnesium Carbonate:

The major side effect of Magnesium Carbonate is that it works as a laxative. In fact, it is one of nature’s best laxatives!

While most people take Magnesium for it’s relaxing benefits, it can also be taken for its laxative affect. For those struggling with constipation, a dose of 500 to 2,000 mg daily is recommended. Start small, and then build up until the desired effect is achieved.

Once you’ve relieved your occurrence of constipation, bring your daily dosage back to the normal range of 400mg per day.

Besides its laxative effect, Magnesium is deemed as safe to consume (whether through food or supplement form). However, some may experience stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. As always, it is best to consult your doctor before trying a new supplement.

  

The Best Time Of Day To Take Magnesium:

Generally and hour or two before bedtime is the preferred time to take Magnesium. This way you get its relaxing benefits before bedtime, which is perfect for helping you to wind down at night.

If you forget to take magnesium at night – simply take it whenever is most convenient for you, whether that be in the morning, at lunch, or at night. You don’t have to take your supplements with food, but you may want to if taking a supplement on an empty stomach causes you a mild upset.

This is very individual and is something you’d have to try for yourself to see how you react.

Best Sources of Magnesium:

Considering all of the important roles that magnesium plays in the body – it’s a good idea to consider takingmagnesium supplements regularly and eating magnesium-rich foods.

Magnesium can be sourced through many different foods, below is a list of Magnesium rich foods.

•Bone broth

•Sea Salt

•Most Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, etc…)

•Brewer’s Yeast

•Cacao

•Leafy greens (such as Kale, Baby Spinach, Swiss Chard, etc…)

Best Magnesium Carbonate Supplement

In addition to food sources, you can ensure adequate Magnesium intake by taking a daily Magnesium supplement. OurU-Mag Lemon Flavored Magnesium Drink is a great way to make sure that you get enough daily Magnesium.

Flavored with Organic Lemon and with 400mg of Magnesium per serving, it’s a great product to consider adding to your daily routine! 

SHOP NOW

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Benefits of magnesium carbonate

Daniel Powers is a health and fitness enthusiast with a background in the supplement industry. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys Crossfit, reading large books, and drinking coffee.

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— Update: 17-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Magnesium Carbonate: Your Guide to This Type of Magnesium Supplement from the website naturalcalm.ca for the keyword benefits of magnesium carbonate.

Magnesium carbonate, also known as dolomite or magnesite, is a mineral salt used to treat hypomagnesemia (low amounts of magnesium in the blood) or digestive issues like heartburn and indigestion that are caused by excessive stomach acid.

In this post, we’ll explore the primary uses of magnesium carbonate. We’ll also discuss why you might not want to take magnesium carbonate (unless it’s combined with citric acid to make magnesium citrate). Plus, we’ll talk about what high-quality forms of magnesium could be better for your health.

Possible Clinical Benefits of Magnesium Carbonate

Heartburn and acid reflux

As mentioned, magnesium carbonate has antacid qualities that can help relieve heartburn and acid reflux. Over-the-counter and prescription antacids often combine magnesium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide with aluminum hydroxide or calcium carbonate to neutralize stomach acid. 

Combatting calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate disease (CPPD)

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate disease (CPPD) is a painful rheumatologic condition in which crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate accumulate in connective tissue and joints. In a study by England’s Bristol Royal Infirmary, half of the participants with chronic CPPD received 10 milligrams of magnesium carbonate, and those patients reported significant relief from their symptoms.

Lowering phosphate levels in dialysis

In hemodialysis patients, phosphate levels can build up to unhealthy levels, which can cause bone and mineral disorders and problems with calcification.

In a study published in the journal International Urology and Nephrology, a team of researchers studied the effect of using magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) as a binder in dialysis patients to decrease the buildup of phosphate levels.

The study concluded that magnesium carbonate administered for 6 months acts as an effective agent for controlling blood phosphate levels for these patients.

How to Take Magnesium Carbonate

As an antacid medication, magnesium carbonate is commonly sold under the brand names Gaviscon, Foaming Antacid, and Acid Gone.

If you are taking a magnesium carbonate supplement, take the product as directed and follow the instructions of your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Take a magnesium supplement with food and a full glass of water unless otherwise directed by a doctor. This can help you reduce stomach upset and diarrhea. 

If your magnesium carbonate supplement comes in an extended-release or delayed-release tablet or capsule, do not crush or chew the medication. Swallow the tablet or capsule whole to avoid releasing all the medication into your system at once.

If your medication is in liquid form, use a measuring device or cup to ensure the correct dosage. Don’t use a household spoon to measure the medication. Shake the bottle well each time before taking your medication.

The Relationship Between Stomach Acid and Magnesium Absorption

There is a close relationship between digestive issues and magnesium absorption. Stomach acid is necessary to help absorb magnesium in the digestive tract, and we need normal amounts of magnesium to regulate the stomach acid we produce. 

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When we chronically use acid-blocking medications, it can decrease overall stomach acid levels and lead to poor magnesium absorption. This can perpetuate our stomach problems!

The symptoms of low magnesium levels are:

  • Jitteriness
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Tremors
  • Muscle aches or cramps
  • Seizures
  • Voicebox spasms
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dizziness

(Learn more about signs of low magnesium here.)

If you find out that you are low on magnesium while taking acid-blocking medications, talk to your healthcare provider about potentially supplementing your diet with magnesium citrate to increase your levels.

Our disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most current information possible, but medications affect each person differently. We cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects of magnesium carbonate, and this information is not a substitute for medical advice. Before you start taking any medications, discuss any possible side effects or interactions with your healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Is Magnesium Carbonate a Good Choice for Heartburn and Stomach Upset?

Antacid medications are supposed to decrease acid in your stomach, therefore giving you relief from heartburn and stomach upset. But some experts believe that digestive issues are caused by too little stomach acid.

In her book The Magnesium Miracle, Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., says:

Magnesium carbonate does not resolve the issue of too little stomach acid because it is too alkaline. By formulation, magnesium carbonate doesn’t include an acid. Thus, it may not be the best choice for long-term relief from heartburn and stomach upset.

Get Relief From Digestive Symptoms with Magnesium Citrate

Benefits of magnesium carbonate

If you struggle with heartburn symptoms, adding a magnesium citrate supplement to your diet may help.

Magnesium citrate enhances digestion and also helps you keep up your magnesium levels. That’s because it contains citric acid, which counters the alkalinity of magnesium and helps to create the right acidity for digestion.

Natural Calm® magnesium citrate powder is made by combining magnesium carbonate with citric acid. When mixed with water, Natural Calm creates magnesium citrate, which is more easily absorbed in the small intestine than magnesium carbonate supplements.

The magnesium in Natural Calm magnesium is sourced from deep in the ocean, where magnesium naturally occurs.

Natural Calm has been made this way for over 30 years, and in that time has garnered tens of thousands of five-star reviews from customers around the world, and dozens of supplement awards.

It is a highly-absorbable magnesium supplement that is gentle on your stomach and easy to consume. You can sip Natural Calm throughout the day, or drink your full daily dose in the morning or evening, depending on how your digestive symptoms respond.

You can find Natural Calm in our online store or at retailers across Canada.

References

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