Milk of magnesia weight loss is an intriguing topic that warrants a closer look. This guide will explore the principles behind these claims in as far as weight loss is concerned and give you a medical perspective of the same.
Does Milk of Magnesia Help Weight Loss?
You have probably heard about Milk of magnesia weight loss and wondered if losing weight can be as easy as taking a bottle or two of a milk of magnesia laxative.
According to Joe Gallant, MD, associate director of specialty services at Southwest CARE Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, using laxatives daily is no way to lose weight and is in fact dangerous.
Why is it so, you ask? Well, before we delve into milk of magnesia weight loss any further, let us start by taking a closer look on the principles upon which the weight loss claims are based.
What is the Connection Between Milk of Magnesia and Losing Weight?
Milk of magnesia is typically comprised of three ingredients, namely, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), water and sodium hypochlorite (used as a buffering agent).
It was patented in 1818 as a solution for digestion disorders such as constipation. Magnesium hydroxide is the active ingredient and hence the most important in as far as judging the effectiveness of milk of magnesia is concerned.
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Milk of magnesia is usually used as an antacid (to neutralize stomach acid) or laxative. Both these uses are entrenched on the presence of the hydroxyl (OH–)group in magnesium hydroxide.
As an antacid, the OH– ions neutralize the H+ ions in stomach hydrochloric acid, thus offering relief from the burning sensation typically associated with heartburns.
When used as a laxative, the Mg2+ ions are absorbed into the intestinal tract but the OH– are not. This raises the concentration of ions Mg2+ ions in the in the intestinal tract. As a result, fluids move into the intestinal tract via osmosis. The colon responds by flushing out its contents; what we perceive as bowel movement.
Mayo Clinic classifies milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) as an oral osmotic. It is also approved by FDA for treatment of digestive problem e.g. constipation, but not weight loss as some people claim.
Prolonged use (for weeks or months) is associated with a whole lot of problems and side-effects such as diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even constipation (the very problem it is supposed to treat).
But What Do People Perceive As Weight Loss?
In an article titled “Dying to be Thin” which was published in Nova Online, Craig Johnson, MD, says that what people perceive as losing weight following the use of laxatives such as milk of magnesia is actually a manifestation of dehydration. The weight loss is thus a register of fluid loss as opposed to fat loss (true weight loss).
The dehydration (and thus the weight loss) is usually temporary and laxative dieters gain weight as soon as the body replenishes the lost fluids. This can easily lead to a vicious cycle where the dieter notices a sudden increase in weight, takes even more laxative only to gain weight later on and so on.
There is a common belief that milk of magnesia helps to reduce calorific intake but as Dr. Johnson says, 70 to 80 percent of the calories are already taken up by your bowels after eating and flushing the contents of the colon doesn’t is a futile endeavor.
Phillips Milk of Magnesia Weight Loss
Phillips milk of magnesia weight loss is one of those ideas that make me cringe but it seems to never slow down in its transcendence through the online sphere. Phillips Saline Laxative has been around for a long time and its name is almost synonymous with milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) laxatives.
In fact the manufacturer claim that Phillips is the #1 doctor recommended milk of magnesia. A point however need to be raised at this point that Phillips is a popular choice among doctors but only for the right purpose, i.e. as an antacid or as a laxative for treatment of constipation, and following the instructions provided.
Phillips milk of magnesia originally had a chalky-tasting no-flavor formulation but the company has since introduced several flavors including mint and cherry.
While doctors disagree with the idea of using milk of magnesia for weight loss purposes, you can purchase Phillips milk of magnesia on the manufacturer’s website or on online shopping sites such as Amazon if you need a bottle of it.
Remember that it is always prudent to compare prices among different shops to make sure you get the best value for your money.
How to Use Milk of Magnesia to Lose Weight
Using milk of magnesia is one of those desperate weight loss approaches that amounts to not abuse of substances but yield no lasting results leave alone subjecting you to lots of undesirable side-effects such as diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
We scouted the internet trying to find some guidelines on how to use milk of magnesia to lose weight and while we don’t really encourage the use of this approach to weight loss, most users seemed to advise taking milk of magnesia frequently but no standard dosage was offered.
Milk of Magnesia Laxative and Weight Loss – A Myth?
“I am feeling desperate to lose between 35 and 45 pounds. I have gained a lot of weight this year and it pisses me off every time I find out that yet another piece of clothing doesn’t fit. A couple friends at school unanimously agree that taking milk of magnesia can help lose weight but in as a much as I know that is intended to be a laxative. Is using milk of magnesia a myth or something I should try?” Julie
Well, using MoM for weight loss purposes is only an internet myth. You may seem like you are actually losing weight after a period of abuse of laxatives but in reality you are only losing body fluids; terrible idea health speaking.
Healthy weight loss revolves around watching your calorie intake and creating a calorie deficit (i.e. by reducing dietary calories and increasing physical activity) in order to promote burning of fats, that’s all. MoM abuse does none of the above so stay away from it.
Just sip a very small amount of mom just to taste it or coat your mouth with. Wait a short time and magically your not craving anything else to eat! It gives you a sort of sickly feeling in your stomach where your no longer hungry at all! Don’t forget to drink fluids shortly after the hunger thoughts go away. let me know if this works for you too. thanks steve
Uh yes it does work it gets all the gunk from the top of your tummy the acid it tell you right here acid in tummy and all that stuff that is stuck it makes it move and the only way out is you guessed it wast… And loosing all the yuck yeah you lose weight
I knw sm1 who used it to loose weight and it did work well 4 her. Ask me how and I wil tell u how to use it and d product to go for. U take a bottle once in every 2weeks.
Yeah, it will help you lose water weight, and appear visibly less bloated. Is it good for you on a long term basis? No. That being said, neither is the prep for a colonoscopy (drink a bottle of prune juice and swallow half a bottle of diarrhea pills).
How much did u take? @lyanna
I use it to help jump start my weight loss. I was not losing despite everything I did. I eat plenty of veggies and fruit but still wasn’t going to the bathroom like I should. I was going once a day but that wasn’t enough. I took MOM before each meal and drank plenty of water. I lost my first lb overnight! This is not something I will be doing long term though.
Joyce… I am sure Ray read the article.. YOU don’t have to be rude.
Ray B: Did you not just READ the article? It answered your question. NO IT DOES NOT WORK. You want me to send you crib notes?
Does anyone know whether it really works? Yes I have read all the side effects, but I want to know if anyone knows or has seen reviews of using milk of magnesia to lose weight. Any before and after pictures to show results? I already am aware of the side effects of taking laxatives everyday, but I just want to find out some information and I am looking (particularly) for reviews and testimonials.
This works some to reduce water in the body it help’s start the weight loss some slow but works plus eating half of what you would eat in a day cut the sodas all out for good that is the best start to a good road to weight loss .