Can Magnesium cause constipation?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can Magnesium cause constipation?
No, Magnesium does not cause constipation. In fact, Magnesium containing compounds have been used for the management and treatment of constipation for decades.
If you’re taking supplemental Magnesium correctly, it will help regulate your bowel movements. However, if you’re misusing Magnesium and are taking a higher-than-recommended dose, your bowel movement may get affected.
What does research suggest?
Research studies indicate that Magnesium-containing pharmaceuticals can actually be used for the management of constipation. A research study showed that Magnesium Oxide (MgO), an osmotic laxative, can be used safely to manage constipation (1).
It is also used to alleviate chronic constipation in elderly individuals (2). Several research studies have indicated that Magnesium sulfate, another Magnesium-containing compound, can be used safely and effectively in children with constipation (3). It can help regulate bowel movements and make them regular.
This indicates that Magnesium itself has properties to help regulate bowel movements, as it maintains the contraction of intestinal smooth muscles.
However, research also indicates that improper use of magnesium or taking higher doses can affect bowel movements and may cause constipation in some people. It may not be the case if you take a higher dose once or twice. It’s the consistent misuse of Magnesium that causes constipation.
What to do if you’re struggling with constipation while taking Magnesium?
Talk to your healthcare provider if you think Magnesium is causing constipation. You might be taking a higher dose than you should which could be damaging your intestinal health instead of regulating your bowel movements.
If that’s the case, your doctor may ask you to cut back on Magnesium for a while – especially if you are not deficient. If your constipation is severe, your doctor will put you on a laxative to help regulate your bowels.
There are a lot of medications that can be used for constipation but in my healthcare experience, the best way to achieve long-term relief from constipation is dietary changes. Medications should only be used for instant evacuation of the bowel. They should not be taken for a long period of time.
It is also important to inform your doctor if you are taking other medications that can potentially cause constipation, including some antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Calcium or Aluminium containing antacids, overuse of laxatives, etc.
Non-pharmacological ways to manage constipation
There are some tips to manage constipation in the long run. These include:
- Add adequate fibre to your diet.
- Drink plenty of water, especially if you have a good fibre intake. Fibre alone can not fight constipation.
- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Refrain from trigger foods that make you gassy or foods that are harder for you to digest.
- Eat dates and figs which can help soften your stool.
- Take a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil at bedtime. It’s one of the oldest remedies for constipation, as olive oil can make the movement of faeces in your large intestine easier.
- Stay active. Following a good exercise routine can help regulate your bowel movements.
Make sure you follow these tips for long-term management of constipation. Medications can cause side effects when they are used for a long time and some people may develop tolerance. This can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications.
This is why your diet should be proper to manage your symptoms effectively and for the improvement of your overall health.
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References
1.-
Mori H, Tack J, Suzuki H. Magnesium Oxide in Constipation. Nutrients. 2021 Jan 28;13(2):421. doi: 10.3390/nu13020421. PMID: 33525523; PMCID: PMC7911806. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7911806/
2.-
Kinnunen O, Salokannel J. Constipation in elderly long-stay patients: its treatment by magnesium hydroxide and bulk-laxative. Ann Clin Res. 1987;19(5):321-3. PMID: 3126699. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3126699/
3.-
Hassanein SMA, Deifallah SM, Bastawy HA. Efficacy of oral magnesium therapy in the treatment of chronic constipation in spastic cerebral palsy children: a randomized controlled trial. World J Pediatr. 2021 Feb;17(1):92-98. doi: 10.1007/s12519-020-00401-0. Epub 2021 Jan 22. PMID: 33481179. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33481179/
