Magnesium Chloride: Benefits for Sleep & Depression (sleep like a dog...)
Magnesium chloride has potential benefits for improving sleep quality and alleviating symptoms of depression. It can help you sleep better and feel more relaxed
(The following information is based on an article By Annie Price, CHHC at www.DrAxe.com)
What Is Magnesium Chloride?
Magnesium Chloride is a salt that contains one magnesium atom and two chloride atoms. It can be naturally obtained from seawater through solar evaporation. This type of salt is highly soluble, making it easier for the gut to absorb it compared to less soluble forms of magnesium. Magnesium chloride can be taken orally or applied topically through supplements to increase magnesium levels in the body.
Magnesium is essential for proper muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Magnesium chloride is considered the "master magnesium compound" and is more bioavailable than other forms like magnesium sulfate or oxide. Topical magnesium chloride supplements are also available.
Benefits
Used both internally and topically, magnesium chloride benefits and uses are known to include:
- Treat or Prevent a Magnesium Deficiency
As we grow older, the ability of our gut to absorb magnesium decreases and our kidneys eliminate more magnesium, increasing the risk of magnesium deficiency. Moreover, older adults are more likely to have chronic diseases that can impact magnesium levels. To maintain healthy magnesium levels, it is recommended to consume magnesium-rich foods such as dark leafy greens. If you find it difficult to get enough magnesium through diet, you may consider taking magnesium supplements.It’s not uncommon to experience diarrhea as a result of taking magnesium supplements internally, which is why many people turn to magnesium chloride in topical form (such as an oil or lotion) to boost their magnesium levels.
- Increase Low Stomach Acid
Gastric acid is a critical component produced by the stomach that aids in breaking down food into smaller absorbable units. Inadequate gastric acid can lead to suboptimal digestion and malabsorption of essential nutrients. Additionally, gastric acid plays an important role in preventing infectious bacteria from entering and populating the intestinal tract. To counteract a decline in gastric acid secretion in the stomach, MgCl2 is sometimes used.
- Energy Booster and Muscle Relaxer
Athletes and many other people use topical magnesium oil to improve their energy and endurance. Topical magnesium can also help in relaxing muscles and reducing muscle soreness, pain, or cramping. Some studies have shown that magnesium may improve physiological markers of athletic performance, but more research is needed to validate these findings.
- Relaxation and Better Sleep
Did you know that sleep problems might be caused by a lack of magnesium? Studies have shown that magnesium can help alleviate insomnia symptoms such as sleep efficiency, sleep time, and sleep onset latency. By increasing magnesium levels through the use of supplements like MgCl2, you may be able to improve your quality of sleep.
- Helps Alleviate Depression
Research into the connection between magnesium and depression continues today. However, a study from a few years ago examined whether supplementing with magnesium chloride can help improve the symptoms of depression.
During the study, 126 adults were given magnesium supplements daily for six weeks. The magnesium chloride dosage was 248 milligrams. A control group was also included in the study, who received no treatment. The results showed that participants in the magnesium group experienced a "clinically significant net improvement" in their depression symptoms and generalized anxiety disorder scores. Additionally, the supplements were well-tolerated, and most participants reported that they would use magnesium supplements again in the future.
Supplement and Dosage Info
There are different types of magnesium chloride supplements, such as tablets, liquid, powder, oil, lotion, and flakes. The appropriate dosage depends on your age, gender, and health status.
Make sure to read product recommendations carefully and consult with your healthcare provider.
Risks, Side Effects and Interactions
When taking magnesium supplements like magnesium chloride, it's important to avoid potential side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea by not taking more than the recommended amount and by taking them with a meal.
Topical forms of magnesium are less likely to cause digestive side effects. However, it is not uncommon for skin to feel itchy after applying magnesium oil. If you experience itching, you should wash the product off, and the itching should subside.
You can use a magnesium lotion combined with skin-soothing ingredients like aloe or add magnesium flakes to a bath or foot bath.
Please note that the following medications are known to interact with magnesium chloride:
- Demeclocycline
- Doxycycline
- Eltrombopag
- Lymecycline
- Minocycline
- Oxytetracycline
- Tetracycline
- Ciprofloxacin
- Fleroxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Moxifloxacin
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Penicillamine
- Rilpivirine
However, this is not an exhaustive list, so you should always check with your healthcare provider before combining magnesium chloride with any other medications or supplements.
It is important to note that healthcare providers sometimes administer magnesium chloride as an injection, but this is not recommended for individuals who are allergic to it or have severe heart or kidney disease. Receiving an injection of magnesium chloride may cause potentially serious side effects, such as respiratory depression or significant decreases in blood pressure.
Can you overdose on magnesium?
It is important to be cautious while taking any supplement, including magnesium chloride, as it can lead to an overdose. Therefore, it is essential to read product labels carefully and consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate magnesium chloride dosage based on your specific needs and health goals. It is recommended to check with your healthcare provider before taking MgCl2 in any form if you are pregnant, nursing, have any medical condition, or are currently taking medication.
If you experience any allergic reaction symptoms, such as hives, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, and/or throat, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
Final Thoughts
- Magnesium is a vital mineral that can be obtained through a healthy diet that includes dark leafy green vegetables. However, in cases of magnesium deficiency, magnesium chloride can be taken as a supplement to boost its levels.
- Magnesium chloride has several uses, with the most common one being to overcome magnesium deficiency. In addition, it is used to improve sleep, digestion, endurance, and muscle complaints. It can also promote relaxation.
- Magnesium chloride is easily dissolved in water, making it more easily absorbed than other forms of magnesium that do not dissolve as well in liquids. It comes in different forms such as tablets, liquid or powder supplements, magnesium spray oil, or lotion, all of which can provide magnesium chloride benefits when used internally or externally.