A deficiency in magnesium can be at the root of constipation. By taking a magnesium supplement you can find immediate relief. Magnesium is crucial for relaxing the muscles in the body, including the colon. It is believed that close to 70% of the population may be deficient in magnesium and constipation is one of many of the consequences.

I have found that supplementing my diet with about 300 mg of magnesium a day keeps my bowels moving smooth and regular. If I stop taking the magnesium, constipation returns. There are many different forms of magnesium. Magnesium citrate seems to be the most effective form for constipation. I’ve tried a variety of different brands and my preferred brand is Natural Calm.

You need to be careful not to take too much though. If you get really loose bowels or diarrhea then you have taken too much. Additionally, I have experienced unusual heart fluttering or palpitations if I take too much magnesium, so you may want to watch out for that as well. So you may need a little trial and error and make some adjustments until you find the dosage that is right for your body. Every person’s nutritional needs are unique, so dosages will vary from person to person.

Adequate levels of magnesium are also important for sleep, muscles, nervous system, chronic pain, managing stress,  the cardiovascular system as well as many other important systems and functions in the body. Personally, I’ve found Natural Calm to be very helpful with muscle pain, stress, relaxation and sleep as well.