Magnesium chloride is amagnesiumsalt available in supplement form and used to boost one’s dietary intake of magnesium.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
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People mainly use magnesium chloride to boost their dietary intake of magnesium.
While it doesn’t treat conditions by itself, it can help those withlow magnesium levelsimprove certain bodily functions.
They estimate that 14% to 48% of people with key in 2 diabetes are deficient in magnesium.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Supplement Facts
High Blood Pressure
Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure.
Therefore, some people with hypertension (high blood pressure) take magnesium supplements toreduce their blood pressure.
While some research supports that theory, the effect is usually small.
Despite these findings, the evidence is not conclusive, and further research is needed.
About 60% of magnesium in the body is stored in the bones.
Therefore, researchers believe that maintaining a correct balance is key to bone health.
Migraines
Nerves and blood vessels play a role in headaches.
Therefore, some research has focused on the relationship betweenmigraines and magnesium.
The study randomized 130 participants who experienced three or more migraines a month into a control or placebo group.
They concluded that magnesium was probably an effective therapy for preventing migraines.
That’s because the kidneys limit how much of it your body excretes in urine.
A magnesium deficiency may need to be correctly identified and diagnosed by a healthcare provider through specific lab tests.
What Are the Side Effects of Magnesium Chloride?
Your healthcare provider may recommend you take magnesium to prevent or help treat a health condition.
However, consuming a supplement like magnesium may have potential side effects.
These side effects may be common or severe.
Common Side Effects
Magnesium chloride supplements are considered safe if used as directed.
Nearly all forms of magnesium supplements can lead to an increase in bowel movements.
However, smaller doses that are more easily absorbed in the intestines tend to cause less stomach upset.
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects are rare.
They occur most often when you take too much of the supplement or have an allergy to it.
Precautions
Magnesium can interfere with certain medications.
Possible interactions include:
Separating the doses may help you avoidmedication interactions.
Who Should Not Take Magnesium?
People with certain conditions should not take magnesium, as it can be dangerous.
Dosage: How Much Magnesium Should I Take?
They can help meet your recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Magnesium?
If you are taking a magnesium supplement greater than 350 mg per day, speak with a healthcare provider.
How To Store Magnesium
Store magnesium in a cool, dry place.
Keep magnesium away from direct sunlight.
Discard any supplement that is past its expiration date or shows signs of damage.
For example, researchers have found that aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms absorb better.
It’s best not to rely on it to replace dietary magnesium.
However, soaking in magnesium chloride baths may improve skin hydration and reduce inflammation.
If you have low levels of magnesium, increasing your magnesium intake could help with sleeping problems.
Magnesium may improve insulin sensitivity.
In addition, magnesium chloride is absorbed almost entirely in the gut.
This absorption makes it more readily available in your bloodstream.
Summary
Magnesium chloride is a mineral supplement used to increase your intake of magnesium.
Those with low magnesium levels may experience uncomfortable symptoms that a magnesium supplement may help reverse or improve.
National Institutes of Health.
Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium: Fact sheet for consumers.
2012;78(17):1346-1353. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182535d0c
National Library of Medicine.Magnesium deficiency.
National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium fact sheet for health professionals.
2021;21(1):125. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03297-z
Cleveland Clinic.Magnesium rich food.
