We explored the impact of magnesium on secretory diarrhea, particularly in the context of cholera, a significant global health issue. The focus was on understanding how magnesium, often overlooked, could serve as an effective treatment option. In our study, we found that increasing levels of magnesium can significantly inhibit chloride secretion in intestinal cells, which is crucial during episodes of diarrhea.
We observed that magnesium, at concentrations typically seen in stool, reduced this secretory process by a remarkable 65%. This effect primarily occurs through a specific receptor in the intestinal cells known as the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Interestingly, we noted that magnesium also counteracted Cl- secretion triggered by cholera toxin and other enterotoxins by about 50%.
Using mouse models, we saw that administering magnesium effectively decreased fluid loss associated with cholera by 40%. In a model mimicking the intestinal environment during cholera, adding magnesium not only curbed fluid secretion but also reversed it, promoting absorption instead. Given that patients suffering from cholera often have negligible magnesium levels in their stool, our findings suggest that oral magnesium supplementation could be a simple but effective therapeutic strategy for managing cholera and potentially other forms of secretory diarrhea.
Diarrhoea from dosing
Most Useful Review
During the California wildfires, I was advised to try Magnesium Oxide for headaches. While it effectively eased my headaches and muscle aches during pregnancy, taking it twice a day led to diarrhoea. Despite the challenges of a large pill, the relief from headaches made it worth it amidst the discomfort.