Intervention trials suggest that Magnesium supplementation significantly reduces the recurrence of kidney stones.
Magnesium increases the solubility of calcium in the urine, helping to prevent its precipitation with oxalate or urate,
in stone formation. Magnesium used in conjunction with vitamin B6 may yield an even greater preventive ef ect
(e.g., 200 mg Magnesium plus 10 mg Vitamin B6 or 300 mg Magnesium as a single agent).
It is estimated that one million Americans now living will die from causes related to kidney stones.30-35
Dosage Ranges
Condition
Dose
High blood pressure
480-600 mg per day
Diabetes
500-700 mg per day
Fibromyalgia and CFS
300-1,000 mg per day
PMS
up to 350 mg, three times daily
Osteoporosis
500-700 mg per day
Pregnancy
450 mg per day to help prevent
Preeclampsia
Kidney Stone Prevention
200-300 mg per day
Side Effects and Toxicity
Magnesium exhibits low toxicity, even at high doses (3,000-5,000 mg per day). However, people with kidney disease
or severe heart disease should not take Magnesium (or potassium) except by physician's orders.2
Drug-Nutrient Interactions
Drugs such as insulin and digitalis decrease Magnesium nutritional status. Magnesium supplementation may
decrease the absorption of digoxin, tetracycline and phenyltoin (dilantin) if taken at the same time.36,37
The following drugs have been shown to deplete Magnesium status:
1. Penacillamine - this drug binds to Magnesium, reducing absorption of the drug and the mineral38
2. Tetracycline Antibiotics - these drugs bind to Magnesium reducing absorption of the drug and the mineral39