Magnesium chloride is a magnesium salt available in supplement form. It tends to be easily absorbed by the digestive tract and is used to help boost levels of the mineral in the blood. Magnesium is needed for muscle and nerve function, regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and making protein, bones, and DNA.

Solubility

Magnesium chloride is the name for the chemical compound with the formula MgClH₂O. In addition to the anhydrous form, MgClH₂O comes in its various hydrates MgClnH₂O. These salts are typical ionic halides, being highly soluble in water.

Toxicology

Magnesium toxicity from magnesium salts is rare in healthy individuals with a normal diet, because excess magnesium is readily excreted in urine by the kidneys. A few cases of oral magnesium toxicity have been described in persons with normal renal function ingesting large amounts of magnesium salts, but it is rare. If a large amount of magnesium chloride is eaten, it will have effects similar to magnesium sulfate, causing diarrhea, although the sulfate also contributes to the laxative effect in magnesium sulfate, thus the effect from the chloride is not as severe.