Can too much magnesium cause dizziness?
Answer
Dizziness is not among the ordinary effects of supplemental magnesium, which are digestive. Persistent or unexplained dizziness is a GP question rather than a supplement one.
Key takeaways
- Is it a recognised effect?
- Not at ordinary supplemental intakes. The recognised effects are loose stools and stomach discomfort.
- When does it become medical?
- Persistent, severe or unexplained dizziness needs a GP, and it has many causes unrelated to supplements.
- What is the supplemental ceiling?
- UK guidance sets 400mg a day from supplements, set on the laxative effect rather than on toxicity.
What is actually recognised
Loose stools and stomach discomfort, both dose dependent and both worst with magnesium oxide, which is poorly absorbed. UK guidance sets 400mg a day for supplemental magnesium on that basis rather than on toxicity in healthy adults.
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate provides 300mg elemental in a two capsule serving at 22p a day, which leaves 100mg of headroom before that level.
Why the two get connected
Someone who has started a supplement and then feels dizzy will reasonably wonder about the new variable. That is how attribution works and it is not a mistake.
It is worth knowing that dizziness has a long list of ordinary causes, including dehydration, standing up quickly, low blood pressure, inner ear problems and medication side effects. A rugby player who has trained hard and not drunk enough has a more likely explanation than a mineral.
When to stop guessing
Dizziness that is persistent, severe, recurrent, or comes with other symptoms needs a GP rather than a change of supplement. So does anything following a head knock, which follows the recognise and remove pathway and a medical assessment rather than anything on a supplement page.
Anyone with reduced kidney function should not take supplemental magnesium without medical advice, since magnesium is cleared by the kidneys, and that is the one situation where the guidance level understates the caution needed.
The full version
- What are the signs of too much magnesium?What excess actually produces and at what intakes.
- Magnesium side effects for rugby playersWhat is recognised, what is not, and the supplemental ceiling.
The product
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate is the 300mg elemental one at 22p a day, a two capsule serving covering 80 percent of the 375mg reference value, UK made and independently lab tested for purity.
- 300mg elemental magnesium, 80% NRV
- Bisglycinate, best tolerated common form
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Not batch certified for sport
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Does magnesium cause dizziness?
Not at ordinary supplemental intakes. The recognised effects are digestive.
What are the usual causes?
Dehydration, standing quickly, low blood pressure, inner ear problems and medication side effects.
When should I see a GP?
Persistent, severe or recurrent dizziness. Anything following a head knock goes straight to the recognise and remove pathway and a medical assessment rather than to a supplement page.