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How Do I Choose the Best Magnesium Chloride?

Jennifer Voight
Jennifer Voight

Magnesium chloride dietary supplements are available in many different forms, including tablets, flakes, and magnesium chloride oil. When choosing a magnesium chloride supplement, it important to consider the amount of magnesium in the supplement and the form, because non-oral supplements can prevent the laxative effect present when taking magnesium orally. Tablets may also have an enteric coating to help prevent stomach upset. Hydrated magnesium chloride flakes or magnesium oil is thought to increase bioavailability of magnesium in the supplement and may be taken either orally or transdermally.

Supplemental magnesium is beneficial for the body because it is difficult to meet requirements of this vital nutrient through food sources alone. An average-sized adult needs roughly 400 mg of magnesium daily. When choosing a magnesium supplement, it’s important to consider both the amount present in the supplement and how bioavailable it is. Magnesium chloride is a form of magnesium that is extracted from sea water and is one of the most bioavailable forms of inorganic magnesium, next to magnesium lactate, an organic form of magnesium.

Supplemental magnesium is beneficial for the body because it is difficult to meet requirements of this vital nutrient through food sources alone.
Supplemental magnesium is beneficial for the body because it is difficult to meet requirements of this vital nutrient through food sources alone.

Magnesium supplements are available in several different forms. The body best utilizes magnesium chloride when it is in ionic form, meaning it must be dissolved in water to be available for use by the body. For this reason, magnesium supplements are often available as magnesium oil. The name is a bit of a misnomer, because magnesium is dissolved in water, not oil. It has an oily feel that gives it its name. Magnesium chloride oil can be rubbed onto the skin or sprayed on, which allows it to be absorbed quickly and bypass possible digestive upset.

Salmon is one of many foods naturally rich in magnesium.
Salmon is one of many foods naturally rich in magnesium.

Another consideration when choosing a magnesium chloride supplement is the presence of calcium in the supplement. Magnesium can improve the absorption of calcium, but calcium can negatively affect the absorption of magnesium. This may or may not be a concern, based on personal goals, especially in light of the fact that magnesium chloride absorbs well in the body.

Prolonged fatigue and poor concentration are symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.
Prolonged fatigue and poor concentration are symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.

The presence of an enteric coating on an oral magnesium supplement can be a benefit or a drawback. An enteric coating prevents stomach upset by slowing the rate at which magnesium dissolves in the digestive tract, but it can decrease the rate of absorption. As magnesium chloride supplements cause less stomach upset than other, less absorbable forms of magnesium, like the poorly absorbed magnesium oxide, an enteric coating may not be needed.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

I think magnesium chloride may be best used topically. The more popular option as an oral supplement seems to be chelated magnesium glycinate. My pharmacist recommended this for magnesium deficiency because it has very high absorption. The downside to oral supplements is that they sometimes cause upset stomach or diarrhea. Magnesium citrate is known for causing diarrhea. That's why it's sometimes used for its laxative effects.

bluedolphin

@ddljohn-- I use magnesium chloride flakes. It's great stuff. It's meant for bathwater and foot soaks. I do use the flakes sometimes in foot soaks, but I also use them to make m own magnesium oil. It's just the flakes dissolved in boiled warm water. I use this when I have sore muscles or aches and pains. I just rub it in where I need to and it really works. It's very soothing and relieves tension.

I've not taken a magnesium chloride supplement orally but I'm sure those work quite well too. You might want to ask your doctor which is best for you. If you're using magnesium for muscle cramps and pains, then I suggest using the flakes in bath or making magnesium oil like me.

ddljohn

I take magnesium chloride tablets. I'm not sure if they're absorbed well though. I have not really noticed any difference in how I feel since starting them. I wonder now if I should have gotten the flakes. It sounds like the flakes are absorbed a little bit better and may be more effective.

Does anyone here use magnesium chloride supplements? In which form are you taking them?

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    • Supplemental magnesium is beneficial for the body because it is difficult to meet requirements of this vital nutrient through food sources alone.
      By: concept w
      Supplemental magnesium is beneficial for the body because it is difficult to meet requirements of this vital nutrient through food sources alone.
    • Salmon is one of many foods naturally rich in magnesium.
      By: pilipphoto
      Salmon is one of many foods naturally rich in magnesium.
    • Prolonged fatigue and poor concentration are symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.
      By: kmiragaya
      Prolonged fatigue and poor concentration are symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.
    • Magnesium chloride supplements are available as tablets, flakes or oil.
      By: Ariwasabi
      Magnesium chloride supplements are available as tablets, flakes or oil.
    • Confusion and rapid heartbeat may occur as a result of an insufficient amount of magnesium in the blood.
      By: hriana
      Confusion and rapid heartbeat may occur as a result of an insufficient amount of magnesium in the blood.
    • Side effects of magnesium chloride supplements may include stomach upset.
      By: westfotos.de
      Side effects of magnesium chloride supplements may include stomach upset.
    • Magnesium chloride is one of several supplements that can help lower the body's cortisol levels.
      By: monticellllo
      Magnesium chloride is one of several supplements that can help lower the body's cortisol levels.