The magnesium lactate is a mineral salt that helps form bones and teeth. It acts on the central nervous system and improves the transmission of electrical signals in the body. It is good to take in tablets or powder, adding it to liquids to strengthen the cardiovascular system and rebalance muscle movement.
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What is magnesium lactate for?
It is an essential mineral for human health. Including it in the diet through healthy foods like vegetables is great, but it can also be consumed through magnesium lactate supplements.
It has many functions in human life, and among them, it stands out in facilitating the sending and receiving of signals related to muscles. It is also effective in producing bone tissue as well as in protein synthesis.
The properties and benefits of magnesium are recognized by doctors since when there is a magnesium deficiency, symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue appear. We can say that magnesium lactate is used for:
- Balancing the nervous system.
- Providing energy.
- Improving recovery after physical exercise or sport.
- Increasing calcium absorption and bone production.
- Good for teeth.
- Regulates the body’s electrolytes.
- Facilitates more proteins being available in the body.
- As a laxative.
- To calm muscle spasms.
Side effects
Just like other assimilable forms of magnesium, lactate also produces side effects in sensitive individuals. Generally, the adverse reactions are related to the digestive system. Since it has laxative effects, it is quite common to have a greater predisposition to go to the bathroom to evacuate feces. In some cases, it may cause diarrhea, so if it’s your first time taking it, keep this in mind if you plan to leave the house during the day.
In general, side effects of magnesium lactate include:
- Stomach acidity.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal bloating.
Some people are more sensitive than others to taking magnesium. It is quite common, especially if taken on an empty stomach, to need to go to the bathroom urgently. In these cases, and to avoid side effects with magnesium lactate, it is advisable to swallow the tablets after eating some food or drink it as a liquid a while after eating fruit.
Magnesium lactate or magnesium chloride?
In the body, both have the same function, so in this aspect, you don’t need to worry. It is true that some chemical forms of magnesium are more assimilable than others, but once it is metabolized, it has the same benefits and properties.
However, it is important to note that some types of magnesium have stronger laxative effects, so people prone to liquid stools should avoid them.
In this sense, taking magnesium lactate or magnesium chloride should be considered for their effects.
Effects of magnesium lactate compared to chloride or carbonate
It is ideal for eliminating magnesium deficiency, indigestion, and stomach acidity. The effects of magnesium lactate, besides those mentioned in the “what it’s for” section, are beneficial because:
- Lower laxative power.
If you have stomach problems, perhaps the most suitable is magnesium carbonate. It has an alkaline pH ideal for acid reflux or a hiatal hernia. The opposite is magnesium chloride, which is not recommended in these cases.
Commercial name
In reality, there is not just one, but many brands and commercial names for magnesium lactate. All of them contain the mineral Mg in its lactate form, meaning it is a magnesium salt of lactic acid.
Currently, you can buy magnesium lactate from Ana María Lajusticia, Solgar, Douglas, Solary, or Aquilea. There are so many options that it’s almost impossible to list each commercial name and brand. But the important thing is to check the composition. The label should indicate the chemical form it contains as well as the weight of the tablets or pills, whether it is 750 mg, 500 mg, etc.
Dihydrated magnesium lactate
When you see this nomenclature, it means it contains two water molecules for each one of the mineral.
It’s a term used in chemical compounds, usually salts, that in their minimal formula have 2 water molecules per molecule of the compound. At the end of the formula for magnesium, it will be indicated “.2H2O.” The complete formula would be:
- 2H2O
- If it’s trihydrated, it will be C6H10MGO6.3H2O, and if it’s pentahydrated, it will be C6H10MGO6.5H2O
Differences with magnesium aspartate
Aspartate is a type of chelated salt from L-aspartic acid. Depending on the chemical formula, if it is magnesium dihydrate (2 water molecules for each 1 of magnesium), magnesium salts are more assimilable than their carbonated or sulfated forms. Magnesium aspartate is a mineral salt but doesn’t come from lactic acid. It doesn’t contain lactose or dairy substitutes and is indicated for people with stomach problems or those who want to avoid the laxative effects caused by the carbonated form.
What benefits and properties does it have?
It prevents chronic fatigue and tiredness due to stress or overtraining. It also speeds up muscle recovery and stabilizes the nervous system, including heart rate. Some people, when they have low magnesium levels, experience arrhythmia.
On the skeletal system level, it improves calcium reabsorption, which is fantastic for keeping bones strong and elastic, but also for maintaining healthy teeth.
On a cellular level, it encourages cell duplication. It is necessary for proper function in each role and during the process of cell replication.
Hello, I would like to know the difference between taking a 600mg Magnesium Lactate Dihydrate tablet and taking Magnesium Chloride powder. My specific problem is muscle weakness in the lower limbs. What is the most suitable for my case? Thank you.
At the metabolic level, they are very similar. The differences between the types of magnesium are usually related to stomach issues, acidity, etc. For improving muscles, magnesium lactate will work well for you.
Is Magnesium Lactate the same as Magnesium Citrate? Do they have the same therapeutic action?
Yes, but since they have slightly different compositions, the side effects vary depending on which type of magnesium works best for an individual’s stomach. Some types are more laxative than others, or not recommended for acidity.
Is Magnesium Lactate Dihydrate 600mg good for irritability, fibromyalgia, and stress? Should it be taken twice a day?
It’s a mineral necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system. For the cases you mentioned, it can be helpful if there is a deficiency, meaning irritability could occur if you take little magnesium from food or if your physical activity requires more. In that case, it would be beneficial, but if it’s due to other causes, you should avoid taking it. For fibromyalgia, you should consult directly with your specialist. Why? Because if you take it and it works for you, they will be able to follow up and monitor the dosage and timing. If you don’t talk to them, and you experience fluctuations, you’ll need to tell them anyway, so it’s better to discuss it from the start.
I asked for Magnesium Citrate at the pharmacy, but they gave me Magnex, which is Magnesium Lactate 600mg. My daughter had diarrhea for six days and cramps. I told her to stop taking it. Can I cut it in half and give her half? Is it the same as Magnesium Citrate or Chloride, since there’s no Citrate in Uruguay? Thank you.
Both types of magnesium are used for the same purpose. The differences lie in the way they are absorbed, and some are more laxative than others. If the lactate caused problems, don’t give it to her again, as it’s likely she will experience the same side effects. It could be due to the dosage of magnesium lactate or because she doesn’t tolerate one of the excipients. Also, if she took it on an empty stomach, diarrhea is much more common, but if she had cramps, it’s best to try a different brand and magnesium type.
As for the dosage, it can be adjusted, but always keeping in mind the required amount based on her age and needs. If the dose is smaller than necessary, it won’t cover the daily deficiencies and needs, and if there is an overdose, adverse reactions are more likely to appear.