Milk of Magnesia, or magnesium hydroxide, is a medication commonly used for heartburn or constipation. Magnesium hydroxide also has some additional uncommon uses which your doctor can identify. There is no medical indication that a heartburn medication can assist with weight loss. Go Ask Alice, a website maintained by Health Services at Columbia University, cautions that magnesium hydroxide is not recommended for weight loss because of potential dehydration and dependence.
General Infomation
Magnesium hydroxide is an over-the-counter medication that can be found in liquid or pill form. Magnesium hydroxide reduces stomach acid, or neutralizes acid contents in the stomach. It also draws fluid into the intestines, facilitating a bowel movement. Take magnesium hydroxide according to label instructions. If using the liquid form, measure the medication with a spoon or cup specific for dosing to ensure you get the correct amount. Take tablets or capsules with a glass of water. Standard side effects include diarrhea and upset stomach. Stop taking magnesium hydroxide and call your doctor if you have serious side effects like difficulty breathing or swelling of your throat and lips.
Unintended Effects
Magnesium hydroxide is not intended to help cause or sustain weight loss; in fact you should not take the medication for more than a week, according to Drugs.com. If you are taking the medication and have unexplained weight loss, stop using the laxative and talk to your doctor. Another red flag when you are using magnesium hydroxide is severe abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. If you experience these symptoms, stop using the medication and talk to your doctor.
Laxative Abuse
Using a laxative as a weight loss agent might be a sign of an eating disorder. Long-term use has detrimental health effects, according to Go Ask Alice. Overusing a medication like magnesium hydroxide can cause dependence, which means your body depends on the laxative to produce bowel movements and eventually requires more and more. Since magnesium hydroxide works by drawing fluid into the intestine, much of the weight loss that results is only water weight. You can become dehydrated and electrolyte deficient as a result of water loss, which can be deadly; in addition, any weight that is initially lost is quickly regained during rehydration.
Healthy Weight Loss
The healthiest way to lose weight is to not rely on any medications or supplements, but to combine a good diet with plenty of exercise. You should lose weight slowly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cut your calories by 500 to 1,000 (this varies with your initial weight, gender and so on) a day to lose 1 to 2 lbs. weekly. Make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and limit your intake of junk food, which is high in saturated fat and calories.
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