Do I Drink the Whole Bottle of Magnesium Citrate?
Magnesium Citrate Side Effects
It may sound like an unusual question, but it's surprisingly common: What happens if you drink a whole bottle of magnesium citrate?
The answer is simple—if you drink an entire bottle of magnesium citrate, you'll likely experience diarrhea. There’s no way around it. When your body gets too much magnesium, it has to excrete the excess, and that typically happens through your bowels. The magnesium will essentially "flush" right out of you.
Magnesium citrate is often used to relieve constipation, which can actually be a sign of magnesium deficiency. But even if you're feeling desperate to relieve constipation, don’t drink the whole bottle (unless specifically instructed to by your doctor). Your body doesn’t need that much magnesium at once, and you’ll just waste it. Instead, start with a small amount and gradually increase your dosage until you find a level that keeps your bowels comfortably loose.
When people ask, "Should I take the whole bottle?" or "What happens if I take the whole bottle?" they’re often referring to pre-made liquid magnesium citrate, which is not our recommended form.
Why Not Pre-Made Magnesium Citrate?
Magnesium citrate is best absorbed in its ionic form. Unfortunately, pre-made liquid magnesium citrate or capsules can’t provide this form. In fact, they begin to lose their ionic properties within 48 hours after being prepared or packaged. This is why we offer an Ionic Magnesium Citrate Powder. When mixed with hot water, the powder immediately activates into ionic magnesium citrate, offering better absorption and bioavailability.
You can also activate the powder with cold water, but it will take about 20 minutes to fully activate. If you're looking for a magnesium citrate that’s easily absorbed by your body, choose an ionic powder—it’s the most bioavailable form.
What About Capsules and Liquids?
Capsules and pre-made liquid magnesium citrate won’t be ionic, meaning they won’t be as effective or absorbed properly by your body. This makes them less useful compared to the ionic powder form.
The Bottom Line:
The best choice for magnesium citrate is an ionic magnesium powder. Also, avoid taking excessive amounts at once—it's wasteful, unnecessary, and could lead to an uncomfortable bathroom experience. Start with a teaspoon and gradually increase your dosage as needed. If you’re in a hurry to relieve constipation, you could try a few teaspoons to jumpstart your bowels. The advantage of powder is that you can easily adjust the dosage until you find what works for you.
If you're looking to purchase these products, check your local health food store or order online directly below. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Thanks for listening!