The macrominerals are seven nutrients (calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulphur) that support good health. Each of the seven are required in relatively small amounts and consuming too much of any one can adversely affect your body. In this article I will be outlining five unpleasant symptoms of macromineral overdose.
1) DIARRHEA:- Diarrhea is a common macromineral overdose symptom. It can occur as the result of consuming too much calcium, magnesium, phosphorus or potassium. Not only is the condition itself very unpleasant but it can also lead to further negative symptoms including dehydration and fevers.
2) KIDNEY DAMAGE:- Sodium supports a number of your vital organs including the liver, the pancreas and the spleen. Unfortunately, consuming high levels of this nutrient can be damaging to another of your vital organs – the kidneys. Kidney damage can have a very serious effect on your health as it prevents waste from being removed from your body. This waste builds up and over time poisons your body internally.
3) REDUCED MICRONUTRIENT ABSORPTION:- Phosphorus is a very important macromineral that helps your body absorb and activate other nutrients. It assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates, dietary fats and proteins whilst also helping your body activate the B complex vitamins. However, overdosing can interfere with the absorption of other micronutrients (calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc). This indirectly affects your health as your body will fail to get the full benefits from these micronutrients.
4) STOMACH PROBLEMS:- Consuming high levels of calcium and magnesium can have a negative effect on your stomach. Overdosing on calcium can cause stomach pain whilst overdosing on magnesium can cause stomach cramps.
5) VOMITING:- Vomiting is another common macromineral overdose symptom. Eating too much calcium, magnesium and potassium can all lead to vomiting. Whilst vomiting itself is unpleasant it can also have a further negative impact by causing vitamins and minerals to be excreted from your stomach. This can then lead to a vitamin or mineral deficiency despite adequate amounts being consumed in your diet.
As you can see macromineral overdose can be very unpleasant. Fortunately, these symptoms can be negated by ensuring that you do not exceed the tolerable upper intake levels (TULs) listed below:
– Calcium = 3000mg per day.
– Chloride = No upper limit but most sources suggest staying close to the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 750mg.
– Magnesium = 1000mg per day.
– Phosphorus = 4000mg per day.
– Potassium = No upper limit but most sources suggest staying close to the RDA of 4700mg per day.
– Sodium = 2300mg per day.
– Sulphur = No upper limit as there are no reported overdose symptoms.
If you want to avoid macromineral overdose you need to stick to the TULs above. Overdosing has a number of negative symptoms but if you keep an eye on how much of each macromineral you are eating then you can enjoy countless health benefits.
