In addition to Chlorides’ function as an electrolyte, chloride combines with hydrogen in the stomach to make hydrochloric acid (HCL), a major component of gastric acid. Gastric acid is an essential component of the digestion process and appears to diminish with age, poor health or poor diet. It is rarely checked by practitioners and often left undiagnosed.

Low levels of gastric acid production may result in poorly broken down and absorbed food with resulting poor nutrient absorption; gut irritations, malabsorption of vitamins & minerals, and an increased susceptibility to bacteria, viruses, and yeasts passing through a damaged gut wall which causes leaky gut the common term used these days.

To break down the food we eat the stomach requires acid, delivered to the stomach as gastric acid produced by cells in the lining of the stomach, which are coupled in feedback systems to increase acid production when needed. In an optimum environment that gastric acid has a very low pH of 1.5 – 3.5. The acidity is maintained by the proton pump H⁺/K⁺ ATPase.

Gastric acid works in sync with digestive enzymes, which are another essential component of digestion. It is vital to the digestion of proteins acting as a catalyst – like a ‘go before’ – as it activates digestive enzymes which break the long chain bonds linking amino acids, a process known as proteolysis. Bottom line is we need the acid to be produced in the stomach for effective digestion.

The abundant chloride found in Magnesium Chloride is sufficient to increase production of stomach HCL.  Regular  use  in drinking water prior to a meal  will help with the process of digestion.

HCL can also be increased by taking Apple Cider Vinegar directly before a meal or drinking squeezed lemon and water prior to a meal.

Equine use.

What  does magnesium do in Horses?

Digestion

Horses have a very fragile gut environment, which can be influenced by a range of lifestyle factors including feed schedules, stress and work load. Some of the most common issues associated with gastric upset includes Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, and Hind gut Acidosis, both of which can cause a range of physical and behavioral symptoms.

Horses are commonly fed just two or three times a day and their diets consist of large amounts of processed grain feed. Both of these are completely different from how horses function in nature and can quickly lead to digestive problems in horses.

One major consequence of typical feeding practices is a high concentration of sugars and simpler starches in the diet. These simple carbohydrates have significant potential to reach the horse’s hind gut undigested – instead of being absorbed in the small intestine where carbohydrates ought to be. When undigested starch and sugars reaches the hind gut, the microbial fermentation process in the cecum produces a higher level of lactic acid. This creates a more acidic environment in the hind gut (lowering the pH), resulting in the state known as hind gut acidosis.

Magnesium may also play a role in insulin resistance and other disorders associated with equine metabolic syndrome. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

Reasons for magnesium depletion

• Stress of any kind will use internal Mg reserves as the body tries to restore itself to homeostasis, or balance.  It stands to reason that ongoing stress will further deplete the supply.  This stress could be physical exertion, travelling, injury, pain, chemicals, emotional, temperature extremes, drugs and surgery.
• For Mg to be effective, it needs to be absorbed into the body to be bio-chemically available.  Mal-absorptioncan occur when the body is already compromised, e.g. following surgery, serious injuries or burns; and where there are metabolic disorders, liver disease or intestinal absorption issues present.  Magnesium Chloride is known to be the most readily absorbed type of Mg available.
• Australian soil is often Mg deficient so anything grown from it will also be low in Mg.  Additionally many forages (for horses i.e. lucerne hay) are high in calcium, which further shifts the balance of the calcium:magnesium ratio, leading to a even greater need for magnesium.
• Environmental conditions such as (for horses) a bout of rain encouraging grass growth and a subsequent potassium (K) spike.  Excess potassium is known to limit the absorption of Mg, therefore level of supplementation needs to be increased accordingly.
• High blood sugar levels in diabetics (humans and dogs) and laminitics (horses) increase the Mg requirement as the body has to work harder to achieve homeostasis.
• Fluoride binds Mg and renders it unavailable for cellular metabolism.  As Fluoride is added to most town water supplies, it is recommended to use either spring water or tank water (rain water) for drinking.  More reasons to avoid fluoride are that it binds with heavy metals such as arsenic, aluminium, lead and mercury plus it inhibits two essential enzymes for detoxification of such metals.  Inferior Mg products sourced from the sea can contain high concentrations of heavy metals, so it is very important to check the source and content analysis.  My preference is Elektra Life MgCl mineral salt flakes, which are sourced from Tibetan plateaus 3200 metres above sea level and independent analysis shows no heavy metal pollution.

 Common signs of magnesium deficiency:

• Insulin resistance,
• Metabolic disorders and hormone imbalance,
• Laminitis,
• Fatigue and tiring quickly (lack of stamina)
• Muscular cramps, spasms and twitching,
• Tight ligaments and tendons,
• Over-reaction to stressors and skittishness,
• Violently pulling back when tied up (horses)
• Dislike of being touched or groomed
• Anxiety and nervousness,
• Irritability and aggression,
• Immune suppression,
• Inflammation and swelling,
• Skin disorders such as greasy heel (mud fever),  QLD itch (sweet itch), dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin etc,
• Arthritis,
• Stifle lock,
• Disturbed sleep,
• Lack of focus / concentration,
• Pins and needles sensations,
• Loss of appetite,
• Stomach aches and cramps,
• Acidosis,
• Heart arrhythmia,
• Hypercalcaemia (calcium deposits in soft tissue).

Different subjects may show different signs or degrees of deficiency due to genetic makeup and predisposition; therefore some will require different amounts of supplementation despite living in similar conditions to another.

Is magnesium safe?

Excess MgCl is excreted not stored, so there is no risk of overfeeding.  The only exception is in animals / humans with pre-existing severe renal (kidney) problems, as excretion of any excess may be compromised.  MgCl is contra-indicated in this instance.  If unsure of the presence of severe kidney problems, please check with your  veterinarian.

 Rosemarie