Magnesium Sulfate

Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent the convulsions and seizures that can occur during pregnancy, in a condition known as eclampsia. Eclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, edema (swelling of tissues, notably in the arms and legs), and convulsions. Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent and reduce the severity of convulsions and to reduce some of the excess body fluids. Magnesium sulfate is used as a purgative (laxative). It is thought to work by preventing the intestines from taking up or absorbing water from their contents, thus stimulating more frequent bowel movements. It has also been used to treat some heavy metal poisoning (notably barium, which is in the same family of the periodic table) and works by helping the body to rid itself of the contents of the digestive tract more rapidly. Magnesium sulfate is used to treat conditions of low blood levels of magnesium. It is used over other compounds containing magnesium because of its greater solubility and thus more rapid uptake by the body.

Recent research has shown that there is a link between diabetes and lower blood levels of magnesium. This does not necessarily mean that low blood levels of magnesium cause diabetes, but may simply mean that magnesium is lost more rapidly due to the frequent urination of people with diabetes.