Hey guys I have had a problem with constipation my whole life, and since starting the LC WOL it has gotten even worse (if i go once a week i am lucky). I eat plenty of leafy greens and drink lots of water, i have tried fibers and bulk laxative pills, even overdosing on malitol with little result. The only thing working for me now is stimulant laxatives which i am trying desprately to get off of. After reading all of your helpful suggestions here i have just invested in some magnesium supplements as i have not tried them yet. I bought Healthy Ideas natural Magnesium, 250 mg each tablet. Ingredients are Mg oxide, Ca carbonate, citric acid, and some other stuff. Is this the kind of thing you guys were suggesting? Should i take it with food or be itself? Is the pure Mg ok or should i take a Mg/Ca/Zn combo pill? I took 250 mg last night and 250 mg this morning and am still waiting. Thanks for any and all advice. I am a phone call away from my doctor's office.

Oh, and does anyone know if there are any harmful side effects from taking so much magnesium? It has me a little concerned as it seems like a lot.

That brand should be fine for what you'd like it to do. I wouldnt take more than 2 pills a day, however. Magnesium in doses of more than 600mg don't have much benefit. The body can only use so much at once. The RDA is 400-600mg a day, I try to shoot for 500mg.

Are you currently taking Calcium? I realize you're taking this for the constipation in particular, but calcium and magnesium tend to work best when used together - but that is for other purposes. Calcium actually has the opposite effect of magnesium (which another reason they get combined, one makes you go one slow you down so a balance is maintained). And too much calcium can result in constipation.

On a more positive note, chronic constipation is more and more a common symptom of magnesium deficiency - It's not that positive, but if you know it might be the problem then you can fix it, right? Most of us are deficient in magnesium to begin with because of the foods we eat and the soil they are grown in.

-Nat