In my study of magnesium and its role in the body, I was surprised to read about the number of different people who thought they might be suffering from magnesium toxicity, especially when many studies are showing the opposite, that people at large are suffering from a magnesium deficiency. Suffering from magnesium toxicity is very improbably for healthy persons, except in specific cases of things like kidney malfunction of infection. So if you're thinking that you might have magnesium toxicity, you might want to get your kidney checked out by a doctor. Another cause of magnesium toxicity is taking too much of a magnesium supplement like magnesium oxide, but I think that should be obvious to most people.

There is an instance where magnesium toxicity can arise in an otherwise healthy individual. Some brands of laxatives and many brands of antacids contain a large amount of magnesium. If you take high doses of either and are suspecting that you have magnesium toxicity, either stop taking the supplements altogether in lieu of others that don't contain magnesium, or else rotate other supplements into your diet that don't contain magnesium.

Magnesium is an absolutely essential element to the body. In order to maintain healthy teeth and bones, there needs to be a balance between magnesium and calcium. Having an overabundance of magnesium doesn't really interfere with healthy teeth and bones, but having too little is a definite cause of bone deficiency. In many reports, there is a direct correlation between countries that have the worst calcium to magnesium ratio, and instances of bone dysfunction like osteoporosis. Magnesium is also very therapeutic. I've taken it myself to help battle insomnia, and it's very effective. It also relaxes the muscles and soothes the body, promoting a general state of ease.

Magnesium has also been called a life saving drug. A friend who's an expert on the subject recently told me about his personal story with magnesium, about how it very quickly halted seizures within 30 seconds of administering, and how the labels of some powerful prescription drugs instructed that magnesium should be administered intravenously if all else failed, as a last resort. So as you can see, magnesium is a very useful element in the human body, very well regulated by the kidneys and other organs. Experiencing magnesium toxicity is pretty unlikely, so if you're suspecting that you're experiencing it, you should consult a physician immediately, because your condition might be a rare and serious one.

But to be thorough, lets list a few specific symptoms that have been linked to magnesium toxicity. Some of the symptoms are pretty general overall, and apply to many different types of ailments.

1) Generalized Weakness -- Both in the muscles and in the bones.
2) Sleepiness -- Fatigue and sleepiness are often associated.
3) Very Low Blood Pressure.
4) Chronic Diarrhea.
5) Shortness of Breath

Magnesium toxicity is a much more rare condition than magnesium deficiency. Most of the time, people actually have an unknown deficiency rather than a toxicity. According to the National Academy of Sciences, most Americans are deficient in magnesium, among other possible deficiencies. Magnesium is an element that's very prevalent in the body, and toxicity will only occur through a specific set of circumstances. However, if you think you might be experiencing magnesium toxicity, definitely consult a physician, as your condition might be both rare and serious.

** This article is meant to enhance the general knowledge of the reader, and should not in any way be taken as a medical diagnosis or as medical advice.