The supplement industry continues to boom, with studies revealing that 86% of American adults now take some form of supplement or vitamin every day to improve their health.
One supplement used by Americans and others around the world is magnesium chloride.
A type of magnesium available as a supplement, magnesium chloride is easily consumed and absorbed by our digestive tracts.
It is widely used in the United States because of its supposed benefits, of which there are many. Helping to boost the levels of magnesium in our body, this supplement might be one you’ve considered taking.
However, before you take the supplement, you need to know exactly what it is used for. That’s where we come in. In this post, we’ve outlined exactly what magnesium chloride is used for.
We’ll tell you what you can expect, why it is used, and how much you can take.
Let’s begin!
What Is Magnesium Chloride?
Before we go any further, let’s take a closer look at what magnesium chloride is and why it can be important.
Also known as magnesium dichloride or simply magnesium, magnesium chloride is a magnesium salt that comes available in supplement form.
This supplement is just of many magnesium supplements that are used to increase the levels of magnesium in our bodies.
Other popular supplements include magnesium citrate, malate, glycinate, and magnesium gluconate. The active ingredients in this supplement are magnesium chloride and calcium.
It is a supplement that is easily absorbed by our digestive tracts and comes with a few side effects.
This supplement can be important because our nerve function and muscles need magnesium to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar.
Magnesium also helps our bodies make protein, DNA, and bones.
Magnesium is found in most foods including legumes, leafy vegetables, and whole grains, but sometimes the dose we receive isn’t enough and we need more.
What Is Magnesium Chloride Used For?
Now you know more about what magnesium chloride is, we can start to look at what it is used for.
Most people use this supplement to increase their magnesium levels.
Typically, the taking of magnesium chloride doesn’t on its own treat conditions but those with lower magnesium levels do find that certain body functions improve.
Aside from being used to boost magnesium levels in the body, this supplement also has well-studied uses in high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, migraines, and osteoporosis.
To give you an idea of how it helps, we’ll now look at each of these conditions individually.
High-Blood Pressure
This mineral is known to regulate our blood pressure. As a result, those that suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) use magnesium chloride supplements to lower their blood pressure.
Research supports this theory, although the effects are usually quite small. One study found a reduction of 1.78 mmHg in diastolic pressure and 2mmHg in systolic pressure.
Type 2 Diabetes
Studies have shown that there is a correlation between magnesium deficiency and type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that up to 48% of people that suffer from type 2 diabetes also have a magnesium deficiency.
Most studies have found that with the taking of regular magnesium chloride supplements, those with diabetes can improve their glucose levels.
Some studies have even looked into the impact magnesium supplements have on insulin resistance, finding a reduced insulin resistance.
Migraines
Migraines are heavily impacted by the health of our blood vessels and nerves. As a result, recent research has zoned in on the close relationship between the two.
In 2015, a randomized study looked into how magnesium affected the frequency of migraines.
After testing 130 participants for three months, it was discovered that magnesium helped reduce the frequency of migraines dramatically.
Those who suffered up to 6 migraines a month only suffered 4 after taking magnesium supplements.
Osteoporosis
Magnesium helps form our bones, therefore, it only makes sense that magnesium supplements can be used to aid bone health.
On top of that, there is also evidence to suggest that a lack of magnesium in the bones can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Whilst more evidence needs to be carried out, researchers currently believe that a healthy balance of magnesium in the body can treat or even prevent osteoporosis.
Other Uses Of Magnesium Chloride
Alongside the health benefits above, magnesium chloride supplements can also be used to support people in other ways.
Magnesium chloride can also be used to support:
Energy
Sleep
Mood
While these three things might not be as severe as the conditions we discussed above, they are another reason why some people turn to magnesium supplements.
Those in need of an extra burst of energy can take magnesium supplements regularly. Meanwhile, those who struggle to sleep can also benefit.
What Dose Of Magnesium Chloride Should You Take?
To finish off, we’d like to tell you more about how much magnesium chloride you can take. Magnesium chloride supplements can be bought in capsule, powder, and tablet form.
Doses typically range from 200 to 500 mg.
Ideally, children and teenagers won’t need to be given any magnesium supplements, but if they are, they should only take between 30 mg and 410 mg a day.
Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 are the only group of children that should take 410 mg a day.
Babies can only be given a dose of 30 mg a day, whilst nobody under the age of 8 should take more than 130 mg a day.
When it comes to adults, anybody over the age of 19, male or female can take a dose of 400 mg a day. Pregnant females should only take 350 mg a day.
In terms of taking your magnesium supplements, you can take them with or without food. Release tablets should also be swallowed whole and not chewed.
In Conclusion
Magnesium chloride is a magnesium salt supplement that is widely used to boost the levels of magnesium in the body.
More research is needed to find out the full extent of magnesium chloride’s effect on the body, but to date, most studies have shown that it can be used to aid and potentially treat the symptoms of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, migraines, and osteoporosis.
Research has also shown that it can aid sleep, increase our energy levels, and improve our mood.
Now you know more about magnesium chloride, you can consider taking it. However, we must advise you to check with a doctor first.
They will advise you whether you need to take it or not.
All aspects of health are incredibly important in keeping us at the top of our game when it matters most. But many people choose to ignore the health that they cannot see - including the gut, cognitive, respiratory, and more.
Hi, my name is Adam Maxwell and I have been a medical professional for over 20 years. My wife is also in the same field, having been a trained clinical psychologist for 15 years.
Between us, we have seen a fair amount of health-related issues!
