Magnesium and Constipation. Daily multi-vitamins contain very little magnesium yet it is a mineral that the body cannot function properly without and is a natural stool softener. It acts closely with potassium and it is necessary for proper functioning of the muscles. It is estimated that only one-third of the population in the United States has adequate levels of magnesium in their body. This comes from a diet of too much fast food and meals made up of large portions of meat and few vegetables.
Many of these magnesium rich foods are also high fiber foods. Including more of these foods in your diet can not only give you relief for constipation but take care of other problems as well.

It is unlikely that you would experience any side effects from eating more magnesium rich foods. We all know what happens if we eat too many beans or too many peanuts. A natural stool softener does just that but it is possible to end up with stools that are too soft. If that happens, make an adjustment to how much of these foods you are eating or how many tablets you are taking.
Magnesium and constipation. Magnisium is a big player when it comes to eating a diet to give relief from hard stools. Children often suffer from hard stools and we really don't want to give them laxatives. Making sure their diet is rich in magnesium foods and high in fiber solves the problem.
You may also like to read Foods That Cause Constipation and Foods for Constipation relief.
If you are interested in herbs that help with hard stools see
Herbal Remedies for Constipation.