A salt is a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal. Therefore the action of sulphuric acid on magnesium produces magnesium sulphate and the action of citric acid on magnesium produces magnesium citrate. There are a whole host of different salts than be made by using different acids.

Therefore: magnesium sulphate is also known as sulphuric acid magnesium salt and magnesium citrate as citric acid magnesium salt.

A carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid; a chlorate is a salt of chloric acid, etc.

Salts produce a different action on our biochemistry depending upon the dose. A small pinch of a salt in a class a water being of low concentration can be absorbed through the intestinal walls. A large dose can be so concentrated that it causes a reverse action and starts pulling water through the intestinal wall from the blood leaving one dehydrated. The dose and concentration is therefore very important and often very confusing. This is a list of some magnesium based minerals and their medical purpose administered is the appropriate dose:

• Magnesium carbonate which is an antacid.
• Magnesium chloride, an electrolyte replenisher and for removing waste products such as potassium and urea, as well as free water from the blood when the kidneys are incapable of this; called peritoneal dialysis.
• Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative used for bowel evacuation before diagnostic procedures or surgery of the colon.
• Magnesium hydroxide is an antacid and laxative.
• Magnesium oxide an antacid and laxative; also used to prevent hypomagnesemia (Low magnesium).
• Magnesium sulphate or Epsom salt is an anticonvulsant and electrolyte replenisher, also used as a laxative and local anti-inflammatory.
• Magnesium trisilicate is a compound of magnesium oxide and silicon dioxide with varying proportions of water; an antacid.

You can’t just view these forms of magnesium as just being magnesium they are unique chemical compounds in their own right and cause different effects. Taking a pinch of magnesium salts in a fruit juice will help to top-up a deficiency in magnesium but a tablespoon or more will cause diarrhoea and possible loss of electrolytes including magnesium. There is a tipping point for each mineral depending upon an individual’s tolerance and metabolism. For example, trials have shown that taking a small quality of magnesium salts either with and without food has very different affects. Taking it with a meal increases the transit time from small to large intestines which allows more time for allows nutrients to be recovered. (A reminder to us all not to eat during liver flushing). Taking a medicinal amount of magnesium salts on its own can have an uncertain response; either there is an indiscernible change or a significant acceleration.

In smaller doses as health supplement the following uses are recommended.

• Antihypomagnesemic (To prevent low magnesium symptoms) - Magnesium Chloride; Magnesium Citrate; Magnesium Gluceptate; Magnesium Gluconate; Magnesium Hydroxide; Magnesium Lactate; Magnesium Oxide; Magnesium Pidolate; Magnesium Sulfate
• Electrolyte replenisher—Magnesium Chloride; Magnesium Sulfate
• Nutritional supplement, mineral - Magnesium Chloride; Magnesium Citrate; Magnesium Gluceptate; Magnesium Gluconate; Magnesium Hydroxide; Magnesium Lactate; Magnesium Oxide; Magnesium Pidolate; Magnesium Sulfate

By taking sufficient magnesium in the correct amount it can a useful supplement but take to much and the opposite is true. Doubling the dose doesn’t make you feel twice as healthy. One form of magnesium has replenishing side affect while the other may cause some dehydration. The US governement publish Upper Limits for suppliments and their advice is as follws:

"Magnesium UL: 350 mg daily from supplements only. Higher doses may cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping in some people. However experts say such distress subsides as the body adapts to higher doses or you stop taking it. There is no known lasting damage."

What are the choices for the laxative during liver flushing apart from personal preference? Magnesium Citrate is readily available in North America in a liquid form but it is not stocked in the many other countries. It is specifically design as a laxative and consequently may contain additional compounds. There are also unadulterated magnesium citrate laxatives available from health stores that don’t contain any additives.

The ingredients of a supermarket brand were as follows: Magnesium Citrate 1.745 g/fl oz, Citric Acid, Lemon Oil, Polyethylene Glycol, Purified Water, Sodium Content 500 mg per 10 fluid ounces. This variety is similar to the prescription drug Movicol®, which is a “whole bowel irrigator” design to cleanse the large bowel. This type of laxative is known to cause minor nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and bloating.

Reaction to magnesium citrate and magnesium sulphate is rare. Magnesium Citrate has a few minor reactions, including mild abdominal discomfort, cramps, gas, or nausea. Whilst Magnesium Sulphate is recorded as being free from symptoms.

There is more medical evidence available about magnesium sulphate which has built up a long standing reputation. Magnesium citrate also has some specific traditional uses but both are being rapidly superseded by modern sophisticated drugs and the ‘old’ knowledge is being lost.

Official risk assessment on magnesium, link:

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/evm_magnesium.pdf