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Magnesium citrate

physical science Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Magnesium citrate is a special kind of salt. It is a metal-organic compound. This means it is made from magnesium and citrate ions.

Scientists use X-ray crystallography to see its structure. One common form has a 1:1 ratio. This means there is one magnesium atom for every citrate molecule. This specific form contains 11.33% magnesium by weight.

The name can be a bit confusing. It sometimes refers to other salts like trimagnesium dicitrate. It might even refer to a mix of different salts.

This salt works through a way called osmosis. Osmosis is a way that pulls water through tissues.

When the salt reaches the intestine, it attracts water. This extra water moves into the intestine. This process helps stimulate bowel motility. Motility is how the bowels move things along. Because of this, the salt can help people have a bowel movement. This usually happens in thirty minutes to three hours.

It works best when taken on an empty stomach.

People use magnesium citrate for many different jobs. Doctors often use it as a saline laxative. It helps empty the bowels before a colonoscopy or major surgery.

It is also used as a dietary supplement in pill form. Some people believe this form is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide. Bioavailable means the body can use it well. One study found magnesium gluconate might be even better.

Another version is potassium-magnesium citrate. This specific mix helps prevent kidney stones.

There are important numbers to know about magnesium. The National Institutes of Health provides some guidelines. For adults, the upper tolerance limit for magnesium supplements is 350 mg per day. This is the amount of elemental magnesium.

The total dietary requirement for magnesium is 320 to 420 mg per day. This number includes all the magnesium from your food. There is no upper limit for the magnesium you get from food alone.

It is always good to follow these numbers.

Using magnesium citrate requires some careful steps. You should always drink a full glass of water with it. This glass should be eight ounces or 250 ml. Drinking water helps the body absorb the salt. It also helps stop water loss.

Most of the time, it is a safe substance. However, taking too much can cause problems. An extreme overdose can lead to a slow heartbeat or low blood pressure. It can even cause a coma or death.

You should always talk to a healthcare professional if you feel unwell. Always use it the way a doctor tells you.

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