Magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 · 6H 2 0) is an integrator formed by the elements Magnesium (Mg) and Chlorine (Cl), in a ratio of 1 to 2, in hexahydrate form (6 water molecules for each MgCl 2 molecule).
Like magnesium lactate and other organic forms, and unlike magnesium oxide and other inorganic forms, the elemental magnesium contained in magnesium chloride has good bioavailability; this means that the amount of mineral that the organism is able to absorb, and use for its own physiological functions, is high.
Why take magnesium chloride?
Magnesium chloride is mainly used to prevent or treat magnesium deficiencies, which can arise due to alcoholism, malnutrition, malabsorption syndromes (celiac disease, enteritis, Crohn's disease, pancreatitis, etc.) and physiological or pathological conditions accompanied by dehydration (diarrhea, vomiting, diabetes, intense sweating, etc.). The integration with magnesium chloride is therefore especially indicated in the summer months, resulting potentially useful for athletes involved in endurance disciplines (cycling, running, triathlon, etc.).
| Adequate daily intake of magnesium | ||||
| Age (years) | males (Mg / day) | Females (Mg / day) | Pregnancy (Mg / day) | Feeding time (Mg / day) |
| 1-3 | 80 | 80 | N / A | N / A |
| 4-8 | 130 | 130 | N / A | N / A |
| 9-13 | 240 | 240 | N / A | N / A |
| 14-18 | 410 | 360 | 400 | 360 |
| 19-30 | 400 | 310 | 350 | 310 |
| 31+ | 420 | 320 | 360 | 320 |
In the health sector, magnesium chloride is recommended to improve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, in the presence of hypertension (as long as it is not complicated by kidney problems), to prevent deficiencies in the elderly and when calcium and potassium deficiencies are found. Magnesium deficiency can also occur due to particular drugs, such as some diuretics (Furosemide: Lasix, Bumex, Edecrin etc.), antibiotics (gentamicin, amphotericin, tetracycline) and antineoplastic drugs (cisplatin).
Given that magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is involved in many biological activities, its therapeutic virtues are often extolled with excessive enthusiasm. In reality it is absolutely illogical to think that, given its biological importance, an integration is useful even when there is no deficiency; even more insidious the dangers of abandoning oneself to the simplistic and irrational conclusion that "the more I take the better the better". Excess is in fact harmful, always and everywhere, even when it is simply water.
The risks of magnesium chloride: side effects of magnesium chloride
| Maximum daily intake limits of magnesium through supplements (which presumably do not give any toxic danger to healthy people) | ||||
| Age (years) | males (Mg / day) | Females (Mg / day) | Pregnancy (Mg / day) | Feeding time (Mg / day) |
| 0-1 | Not determined | Not determined | N / A | N / A |
| 1-3 | 65 | 65 | N / A | N / A |
| 4 - 8 | 110 | 110 | N / A | N / A |
| 9 - 18 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| 19+ | 350 * | 350 | 350 | 350 |
The problem linked to the use of magnesium chloride arises when the product is taken at particularly high doses, in the belief - fueled by various ignorances or commercial purposes - that it is a "panacea for all diseases" remedy, a bit like it happens with the megadoses of vitamin C. Unlike the latter, all in all well tolerated, excessive doses of magnesium chloride can cause many problems to the body. In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms of overdose (diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain), especially in the presence of kidney problems, it is in fact concrete the risk of running into problems of hypermagnesemia, with the appearance of symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, impaired breathing, hypotension, arrhythmias and heart problems up to cardiac arrest in extreme cases. Importantly, magnesium is also found in many drugs to combat stomach acid and / or constipation; therefore, in these cases, the simultaneous intake of magnesium chloride significantly raises the risk of hypermagnesaemia.
Premenstrual syndrome is a complex of objective and subjective symptoms that occurs from one to two weeks before the menstrual flow. The intensity and frequency of these symptoms is also quite variable, affecting most of the female population in various ways.
Unfortunately, in some women the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome reach such intensity that they interfere with normal daily activities.
