Magnesium supplements often have much more of the substance than the European limit of 250 milligrams. More than two thirds of the substances studied contain too much magnesium, which can lead to diarrhea, according to research by the Consumers’ Association.
The Consumers’ Association examined the magnesium content of 66 supplements. 45 of them contain too much magnesium, which can go up to 450 milligrams. Well-known A-brands such as Davitamon, but also private labels of Kruidvat, Etos, Hema and Holland & Barret sell these high doses.
NPN speaks of an upper limit that is too low
Industry association for producers and raw material suppliers NPN sees no problem and reacts carelessly. The association claims that the European Food Safety Authority has adopted an upper limit that is too low. According to the association, diarrhea would only be diagnosed from 360 milligrams of magnesium. In addition, these complaints would mainly occur with supplements that contain the substance magnesium oxide.
Manufacturers of the supplements also downplay the problem. They state that they never get complaints about diarrhea as a side effect of an excess of magnesium. Something that makes sense, since a warning about this is also missing on the packaging of the supplements.
39 supplements even exceed their own limit
Director of the Consumers’ Association, Sandra Molenaar, disapproves of the sector’s weak reactions: ‘More than half (39) of the supplements even exceed the limit of 360 milligrams that the sector itself states as permissible. In addition, nineteen of those supplements also have magnesium oxide as the main ingredient. There are a lot of them. Consumers therefore run a real risk of a very unpleasant side effect. You can’t dismiss that with the argument that you never get complaints, can you? Or with nonsense about research? That is downright inappropriate. Manufacturers have to comply with the rules and the trade association has an important role in this.’
Regulations Nutrition Center
For women over the age of eighteen, 300 milligrams of magnesium per day is recommended, for men 350 milligrams. Anyone who eats healthy according to the Wheel of Five gets enough magnesium, according to the Nutrition Center. Those who do not meet the recommended daily amount of magnesium can take supplements, but never more than 250 milligrams per day.
Magnesium is a mineral that can be found in vegetables, nuts and milk products. You need it for the formation of bones and muscles and magnesium participates in the transmission of nerve impulses. According to the Nutrition Center, a magnesium deficiency is not so common, unless you have, for example, poorly functioning kidneys or intestines.
NPN issues new advice
A spokeswoman for the NPN says that she will issue a new advice as a result of the investigation. Supplement makers are advised to add a warning if there is more than 250 milligrams of magnesium in the maximum dosage.
“A higher dose does indeed have a mild laxative effect on some people,” said the spokeswoman. ‘But there are also groups that need more magnesium than the daily recommended amount. Think, for example, of people who take gastric acid inhibitors, which means that they absorb magnesium less well.’ According to her, a high-dose supplement can be useful for those people.
Source: Consumers’ Association / ANP
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