Home and FamilyUsing Calcium and Magnesium for Constipation
Calcium helps reduce constipation
Using calcium and magnesium in the right quantities can prevent or relieve constipation. They can support the health of your colon and keep you regular.
In your colon, calcium combines with excess bile and decaying fat to form a harmless insoluble soap, which is excreted with your stool. This helps to keep your colon clean.
Most Nutritionists recommend you take 1000 - 1500mg daily of Calcium. Because Calcium can cause constipation, it is necessary to take 500 - 1000 mg of magnesium at the same time you take Calcium.
You should space out your intake of calcium over Take only 400 to 600 mg each time. Also take some time-out when taking calcium and other vitamin supplements. In a month, take 2-3 Sundays or Saturdays of from taking vitamins.
Avoid taking calcium carbonate, which will reduce the times you will have a bowel movement. Avoid, also, taking calcium when eating foods that contain oxalates phosphates, or phytates. They tie up calcium and are excreted with the fecal matter
If you are taking a thyroid hormone, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or antibiotics, calcium supplements can interfere with adsorption of these drugs.
It is best to take calcium around 2 hours before or after taking these and other drugs.
Avoid taking calcium citrate with aluminum-containing antacids. This combination has been seen to increase your body"s absorption of aluminum. Aluminum has been associated with senility and Alzheimer"s
Calcium is safe for pregnant women and they should take an adequate amount of calcium.
The best calcium to take is calcium gluconate, orotate or aspartate. The gluconate type is similar to the calcium you get from milk and some vegetables. It is a gentle calcium and is easily absorbed by children and adults with weak digestion.
The foods to eat for good calcium are:
Goat milk, egg yolk, fish, lemons, rhubarb, cheese, skimmed milk, bone broth, seeds, dulse, kelp, greens, nuts, cauliflower, celery, cottage cheese, gelatin preparations, barns,
Magnesium helps reduce constipation
Magnesium, a gentle laxative, helps to prevent constipation by relaxing your colon walls when you are under stress, have anxiety, or have too many worries. It normalizes tension on colon walls allowing for a normal peristaltic action.
Because magnesium attracts water, you can bring in more water into your colon by taking magnesium supplements or by eating foods, which are high in magnesium. Water in your colon makes your stools softer and allows your colon to absorb water from your fecal matter if you body needs it.
How do you know if you are short on magnesium? You will get cramps in your calves at night or so called "Charlie horses." Or, you will feel sore after some mild exercise or activity.
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Take 400 mg in the morning and 400 mg in the evening of Magnesium gluconate, or citrate.
Jesse Lynn Hanley, M.D., in his book call, Tired of Being Tired, 2002, gives another way to take Magnesium to relieve your constipation,
"Take at bedtime. Begin with 200 milligrams magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate-you may increase the dosage in 200-milligram increments until your bowels move regularly. The dose for magnesium is individual, so begin low and increase the dosage as needed. Reduce the dosage if you experience loose bowels. Unlike irritating laxatives, magnesium does not create laxative dependency."
If taking hypoglycemic drugs, magnesium may increase absorption of these drugs. It is recommended you consult with your doctor on the effects of magnesium with the type of hypoglycemic drug you are taking.
If taking magnesium, do not take it within 2 hours of taking any kind of drug.
If you have severe kidney or heart disease, you need to avoid magnesium and consult with your doctor on its use.
Magnesium is considered safe for pregnant women.
Foods High in Magnesium
Chlorophyll is high in magnesium and chlorophyll comes in capsules. These are some of the foods that are high in magnesium.
Greens, berries, wheat germ, grains, nuts, cornmeal, apples, apricots, oats, pears, pecans, spinach, tofu, lentils, honey, fish, cabbage, avocados, cashews, peas, prunes, soy milk, chard
You can see that calcium and magnesium is not just for bone building and acid neutralization, but it is also good for constipation prevention and relief.