We know that milk is good for our body; it helps us strengthen our bones and even improves our skin. Today, many people are lactose intolerant and choose to take different types of plant-based milk for this or other reasons. However, milk of magnesia is none of this, even if it is called that. It’s the brand name for what it is: magnesium hydroxide. Its appearance is white and liquid, very similar to milk, so it has been given this name. It is soluble in water and has many beneficial uses for the body, although special care must be taken in certain circumstances. In this FastlyHealarticle, we tell you what milk of magnesia is for and its uses.
Table of Contents
Magnesium affects our bodies.
Magnesium is an essential natural mineral in our body. For example, it is necessary for nutrition. In addition, it is necessary for many of the chemical reactions that occur in our bodies. It is necessary for muscles and nerves, the immune system, bones, and even the heart.
Some of the benefits of magnesium in our body are:
- It helps the muscles to be relaxed.
- It prevents some types of arrhythmias.
- Balances states of anxiety, depression, or stress.
- Improves insomnia.
- It helps improve collagen, enhancing bone, tendon, and cartilage ailments.
- It is perfect for the absorption of calcium.
- In addition, it improves breathing and asthma or bronchial problems.
What is the milk of magnesia for, and what are its uses
As we have seen, magnesium is essential for the body and can help function. Therefore, drinking the milk of magnesia can be very beneficial.
Let’s see, next, what are the benefits of milk of magnesia and what you can use it for:
Milk of magnesia: laxative
Milk of magnesia is an excellent laxative. Now, precisely, for this reason, care must be taken in the amounts taken. What it does is that it transports the water to the intestines, and this improves bowel movement. It is suitable for those who suffer from constipation, although, as we have said, it is better to use it with caution. You should not abuse milk of magnesia as a laxative; better to take it in short periods since if you use it for a long time, your colon could get used to it and become dependent on it for its functioning.
Children can also take it, although it is always advisable to consult a doctor, never under six years of age, unless explicitly recommended by a doctor.
The dose for this case would be in adults and children over 12 years of age, two to four tablespoons once a day. The best thing in the case of laxatives and, therefore, also in the milk of magnesia is to take it at bedtime since, in this way, while we sleep, we do not eat food, and the intestines do their function with the milk of magnesia. The following day you are more likely to go to the bathroom.
If we give it to children between 6 and 11 years old, the dose must be reduced to one or two tablespoons once a day.
Antacid
In addition to constipation, milk of magnesia is generally perfect for the digestive system. It is also a powerful antacid, so it can be of great help in people who tend to have heartburn or gastric reflux.
It is considered an antacid with local action. Magnesium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and in this way, it is possible to neutralize the acidity and improve the pH of the stomach contents. Therefore, it is recommended to relieve heartburn, indigestion, gastric reflux, or discomfort related to increased acidity.
To use it as an antacid, you should take a tablespoon half an hour after meals when you feel unwell. But remember that it is also a laxative, so you should not abuse it and always be careful with the dose.
Benefits of milk of magnesia for the skin
Milk of magnesia has properties for the interior of our body and the skin and as a beauty treatment. It is a good ally for those with a seborrheic tendency or oily skin since milk of magnesia can counteract it. And not only fast, but it is also good to eliminate those blackheads that we hate so much. It has a very beneficial antibacterial effect on our skin.
It can also help you prevent, reduce or even eliminate specific skin blemishes.
In addition, it can heal minor wounds because it eliminates bacteria from the skin and has a high zinc content, which helps to heal.
Diaper rash
The use of the diaper in babies can cause redness in the groin area due to its constant friction; it could even cause dermatitis. Instead of using a cream for this area, you can substitute it for milk of magnesia. It can significantly relieve the baby and make him feel more comfortable. In addition, it will help to treat it little by little.
Another case that milk of magnesia can solve is jock itch, which occurs in babies and adults. It is a fungus that appears in this area. Since milk of magnesia eliminates, bacteria can be a good remedy.
Contraindications of milk of magnesia
In addition to knowing what milk of magnesia is for and its properties, it is essential to understand its contraindications since it can be easily purchased in pharmacies and should not be taken lightly. Although it has many beneficial effects, as we have seen, special care must be taken on certain occasions. In addition, you should not exceed the recommended doses in each case.
- Milk of magnesia can block the absorption of iron and folic acid, leading to a deficiency of these and causing anemia. People who already have this condition should avoid taking it.
- You also have to be careful with pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is better to consult your doctor before starting to take it.
- People with kidney disease or kidney failure should also watch their milk of magnesia intake. And above all, if you have a magnesium-restricted diet.
- In the case of its topical use, it must be taken into account that milk of magnesia controls fat precisely because it dries it out. Therefore, it can be too dry for some people. It should not be applied in excess and avoided if you have dry skin. It is better to use it in people with fat problems or a seborrheic tendency. Use it two or three times a week maximum.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.