Magnesium is one of the essential minerals required for the body to function normally. A healthy diet that features vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, dairy products, and lean meats provides the necessary amount of magnesium. However, some people may have deficiencies that require supplements, and this could cause side effects.

Magnesium deficiencies may be responsible for many chronic disorders. Supplementation of the mineral has been shown to help heart health, high cholesterol, asthma, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, constipation, kidney stones, breathing problems, and hearing loss.

Getting magnesium through food is usually safe. Supplements are sometimes recommended and prescribed injections are administered to treat mineral deficiencies or particular disorders. In these cases, some people may suffer from side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to WebMD.

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Adults should limit magnesium doses to less than 350 mg a day. Higher amounts could result in an excessive build-up of magnesium in the body, causing serious side effects that include low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, confusion, breathing difficulties, coma, and, in rare cases, death.

High doses of magnesium could slow blood clotting, and people with bleeding disorders could suffer from bleeding or bruising. Patients with kidney problems are advised to avoid extra magnesium because the kidneys have difficulty cleaning the mineral from the body, which can build to dangerously high levels.

Magnesium supplements often help women during pregnancy and breast-feeding, but they should check with their doctor and only take the recommended dosage. Even magnesium in laxatives for constipation could cause high levels of the mineral.

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Taking particular minerals in supplements could interfere with the way the body processes other nutrients. For instance, an excess amount of magnesium could cause a deficiency in calcium, Live Science notes.

Magnesium supplements might interact with certain drugs, including thyroid medications. They could also worsen the side effects of blood pressure medications and make diabetic medicine more potent.

Avoid taking doses of magnesium supplements too close to taking antibiotics or medication for osteoporosis. The combination could interfere with the way the body absorbs the medicine.

ALERT: Doctors Are Using Magnesium to Reverse Diabetes. See How.

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