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.

More about magnesium
More about Constipation (adults)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)

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
Bifidobacterium animalis
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
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Brassica
broccoli
Broussonetia
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
Butea monosperma
buttermilk
butternut
butyric acid
bасора
cabbage
cactus
Caesalpinia crista
California chia
cantaloupe
cape aloe
caraway
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
cauliflower
cayenne pepper
celery
Celosia
cereal grass
chamomile
chard
Chenopodium
chia seed
chicory
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chirata
chlorella
Chondrus
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Citrus
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
colocynth
coriander
cowage seed
cruciferous
cucumber
Cucurbita
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
dandelion
date
dextrin
dianthrone
Dianthus
dioscorea
dog rose
dragonhead
dulse
dwarf morning glory
Embelia
emblicanin
emodin
endive
enzymes blend (proprietary)
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
Ficus simplicissima
fig
flavonoids
flaxseed
flowering quince
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
fumitory
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
ganoderma
ginger
ginseng
Glucofrangulin
goji berry
gooseberry
green banana
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
Guava
gum
Helicteres isora
hemicellulose
honey
hyacinth bean
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hygrophila
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
karaya gum
Kefir
kiwi
Kohlrabi
Kokilaksha
Konjac
kudzu
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactitol
Lactobacillus
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
Momordica
Morinda
Moringa
Morus
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
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
Persimmon
Peucedanum
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plantain
plum fruit
Polygonatum
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
Portulaca
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
Prickly Pear Cactus
probiotics
prune
Prunus
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quince
Quisqualis
radish
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
rhubarb root
Rhus coriaria
ricinoleic acid
rockweed
root tuber
rose
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
Salvia
Sargassum
sea salt
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sete sangrias
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
Southern Tsangshu
Spelt
Sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
Sterculia
Stereospermum
streptococcus thermophilus
Sumac
sunflower
sweet flag
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Taraxacin
Taraxacum
Taraxol
Tea
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
thyme
Tiger Nut
Tinospora cordifolia
Trichosanthes
Triphala
turmeric
Ulmus
Varuna
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vidanga
Violet
Watercress
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Wulinshen
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Yellow Dock
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
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
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
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
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia