Relationship: Constipation (adults) and magnesium

Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Magnesium, particularly in the forms of magnesium citrate and magnesium hydroxide (commonly known as milk of magnesia), is a well-established treatment for constipation in adults. Its mechanism of action is primarily as an osmotic laxative: magnesium salts draw water into the intestines, which softens stool and stimulates bowel movements. This effect has been validated in numerous clinical studies and is endorsed by major clinical guidelines, including those from the American Gastroenterological Association.

Magnesium-based laxatives are available over-the-counter and are frequently recommended for short-term relief of occasional constipation. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated their efficacy and safety when used as directed. For example, a 2019 systematic review in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate improved stool frequency and consistency compared to placebo.

While magnesium is generally safe for short-term use in adults, excessive intake can cause electrolyte imbalances or diarrhea, and it should be used cautiously in people with kidney impairment. Nevertheless, the strength of evidence supporting magnesium’s use for this indication is strong, and its use is based on both longstanding clinical practice and robust scientific data. Thus, magnesium is not only traditionally used but is also scientifically validated as an effective option for treating constipation in adults.

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Acacia
Actinidin
Aerva lanata
Agar
Agastache
Alexandrian senna
Algae
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
Angelica
anise
anthraquinone
apple
apple cider vinegar
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
asparagus
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Auricularia
avocado
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bael
Baliospermum
banana
baobab
barley
basil
Bassia scoparia
bean
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
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Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackberry
Boerhavia diffusa
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borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
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broccoli
Broussonetia
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
Butea monosperma
buttermilk
butternut
butyric acid
bасора
cabbage
cactus
Caesalpinia crista
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cantaloupe
cape aloe
caraway
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
cauliflower
cayenne pepper
celery
Celosia
cereal grass
chamomile
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Chenopodium
chia seed
chicory
Chinese raisintree
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chirata
chlorella
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cinnamon
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Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
colocynth
coriander
cowage seed
cruciferous
cucumber
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cumin
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curry leaf
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date
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fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
fumitory
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galactooligosaccharides
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ganoderma
ginger
ginseng
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gooseberry
green banana
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
Guava
gum
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hemicellulose
honey
hyacinth bean
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hygrophila
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Indian gum arabic tree
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
karaya gum
Kefir
kiwi
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kudzu
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactitol
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Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
Lycium
Lycopodium
magnesium
mandarin
mango
Melon
Methylcellulose
Microcos
millet seed
Molasses
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Morinda
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Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
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Nettle
Nigella seed
noni
nopal
nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
oat
Oligosaccharides
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
papaya
parsley
paw paw
peach
pear
peony
perilla
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Phellodendron
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pineapple
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plantain
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psyllium
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punarnava
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raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
rhubarb root
Rhus coriaria
ricinoleic acid
rockweed
root tuber
rose
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
Salvia
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sea salt
seaweed
senna
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Sete sangrias
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slippery elm bark
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streptococcus thermophilus
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vegetable blend (proprietary)
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Wheat
Wulinshen
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
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Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colon (atonic)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gastritis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores

Products containing magnesium

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Products containing magnesium

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: MagnesiumFor the health condition: Constipation (adults)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Products containing magnesium

Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)