Magnesium is one of the seven essential macrominerals that is vital for many bodily functions and plays a key role in muscle function throughout the body, including both skeletal and smooth muscle.
There have been many noted mild side effects of taking magnesium, such as vivid dreams and frequent urination.
This article discusses these possible side effects, as well as how to prevent them and if they are a cause for concern!
The Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the key nutrients we need to support many bodily functions, particularly muscle function.
Magnesium can affect many areas of health, such as:
Bone Health
Magnesium is essential for bone health and formation as much as calcium is. It helps to regulate calcium and vitamin D levels, which are the two key nutrients for bone health.
Diabetes
Research has linked high magnesium intake with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes as it plays an important role in glucose control and insulin metabolism.
Cardiovascular Health
The body needs magnesium to maintain the health of all muscles, including the heart. It can play a role in regulating muscle contractions, and this effect can be felt throughout the whole body.
Headaches and Migraines
Some research suggests that magnesium may help prevent or relieve headaches due to its effect on neurotransmitters and blood vessel contraction. This is why a lack of magnesium intake or a deficiency is often linked to migraines.
Anxiety
Magnesium levels may also play a role in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Magnesium Side Effects
There have been no reports of side effects when taking magnesium in appropriate doses, however taking consistently large doses may cause stomach upset irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
Some anecdotal side effects have also been reported, including vivid dreams and the need to pee more frequently. Let’s take a closer look at this!
Does Magnesium Make You Pee Frequently?
In short, there is no link between magnesium and frequent urination.
However, magnesium can help with water retention, so you may find that when you take magnesium, you pee more. Though, this is most likely due to it helping your body flush out extra water.
This is why magnesium is often taken to help the initial stages of weight loss, helping to reduce water retention.
So, magnesium doesn’t necessarily make you pee more, it just helps flush out extra water if you are carrying it!
Conclusion
Magnesium is one of the most important macrominerals, vital for many bodily functions.
Magnesium plays a role in many areas of health, including:
- Bone health
- Cardiovascular health
- Muscle function
- Mood
- Diabetes and weight management
While there are some side effects of taking magnesium, such as nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat, this only tends to occur when taken in high doses.
The reports of magnesium causing more frequent urination are down to the possibility of magnesium playing a role in water retention. If you are holding onto extra water, magnesium can help flush this out, which is why we may find we are peeing more often!
