Magnesium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy and is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, and making protein, bone, and DNA. Magnesium is found naturally in many foods and is added to some fortified foods. It is also available in multivitamin/mineral supplements and other dietary supplements. Magnesium is used for various purposes, including:

• Constipation: Magnesium is most commonly used as a laxative for constipation.

• Heartburn: Magnesium is used as an antacid for heartburn.

• Low magnesium levels: Magnesium is used for low magnesium levels.

• Pregnancy complications: Magnesium is used for pregnancy complications called pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

• Irregular heartbeat: Magnesium is used for a certain type of irregular heartbeat called torsades de pointes.

• Bone health: Magnesium is crucial for maintaining bone health and protecting against bone loss.

• Heart health: Magnesium is essential to heart health and helps maintain a normal heart rhythm. Doctors sometimes administer it intravenously (IV) in the hospital to reduce the chance of atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) .

• Blood sugar levels: Magnesium may help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes in adults and overweight children.

• Athletic performance: Magnesium is important for energy production and contributes to the structural development of bone. It is also required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. Magnesium plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm.

• Inflammation: Low magnesium intake is linked to increased levels of inflammation, which plays a crucial role in aging and chronic disease.

• Kidney stones: Some research shows that taking magnesium by mouth might prevent kidney stones in people who have had kidney stones.

• Plastics and fire retardants: Magnesium hydroxide is added to plastics to make them fire retardant. Magnesium oxide is used to make heat-resistant bricks for fireplaces and furnaces.

• Medicine: Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia), sulfate (Epsom salts), chloride, and citrate are all used in medicine.

Overall, magnesium is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in many processes in the body. It is found naturally in many foods and is available in supplements. Magnesium is used for various purposes, including constipation, heartburn, low magnesium levels, p...