Constipation is one of the most discomfort causing conditions. If you too suffer from constipation, you may be looking for different methods to get rid of it. A large number of medications are available in the market for treating constipation. People may even recommend you to use home remedies for getting rid of constipation. You must have also heard about the use of magnesium for treating constipation. Let us first take a look at the benefits of taking magnesium for treating constipation. Magnesium and Constipation A person is said to suffer from constipation when he does not pass stools for more than three times a week, or has difficulty in passing stools because of its hard consistency. Constipation can be caused due to several reasons like having a diet lacking in fiber, not drinking sufficient amount of water, suffering from diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Colon absorbs water which hardens the stools, leading to constipation. At the same time, rigid or sluggish colon walls also inhibit the movement of stools, causing constipation. All these conditions can be gotten rid of by taking magnesium containing medications. Magnesium is a widely used laxative as it works in two different ways for treating constipation. Firstly, magnesium helps in drawing in water which increases the amount of water in the colon. The increased amount of water in the colon helps in softening stools, and make them easy to pass from the intestines. Secondly, magnesium helps in relaxing the muscles of the colon or the intestine, which makes easier movement of the stools. Magnesium citrate, milk of magnesia, magnesium oxide, etc., all helpful in treating constipation. Magnesium Dosage Magnesium supplements are easily available in the market and do not require any prescription. If you are wondering what should be the dosage of magnesium for treating constipation, then note that 400-500 milligrams of magnesium citrate per day is usually the ideal dose for treating constipation. However, note that there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when taking these magnesium supplements for constipation, e.g., the dosage of magnesium for constipation in children varies from that of adults. Children, teenagers and young adults require a lesser dose. On the other hand, the dosage of magnesium for constipation during pregnancy should only be determined on consulting the doctor. Similarly, people suffering from a chronic disorder or taking drugs for hypoglycemia, etc., should consult the doctor as magnesium can affect the function of these drugs. In short, one should note that even though these supplements are obtained without a prescription, it is recommended that one should consult the doctor before taking these supplements as laxatives on daily basis. Although magnesium supplements are effective in treating constipation, it is essential to find out the cause of constipation and try to correct it. As mentioned above, in most of the cases, constipation is caused due to having an improper diet. Therefore, one should make changes in the diet and have fiber rich food (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.). Lack of activity throughout the day can also lead to chronic constipation. Therefore, one should exercise regularly to loosen up the bowels and prevent constipation. Lastly, if it is found that constipation is caused due to some underlying medical condition, one should consult the doctor immediately and try to get the condition treated as soon as possible. Lastly, we can conclude by saying that, magnesium dosage for treating constipation depends on several factors like the age of the person, the severity of the condition, the overall health of the person, etc. Therefore, one should take these laxatives only after consulting the doctor. Take care!