Magnesium oxide is an inorganic mineral that has many functions and functions in the fields of medicine and food health products.
Antacids
Mechanism of action: The main component of gastric acid is hydrochloric acid, and magnesium oxide can neutralize gastric acid, and its chemical reaction equation is:
MgO+2HCl=MgCl2 +H2O. Through this reaction, magnesium oxide can reduce the acidity in the stomach and reduce the irritation and damage to the gastric mucosa by gastric acid.
Advantages: Compared with some other antacids, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide produces less carbon dioxide gas and does not cause discomfort symptoms such as belching (hiccups). It is more suitable for patients who need to take antacid drugs for a long time. Moreover, magnesium ions also have a certain diarrhea effect, which can relieve the constipation problems often accompanied by excessive gastric acid to a certain extent.
Laxative agent
Principle of action: Magnesium oxide is not absorbed in the intestine, which will increase the osmotic pressure of intestinal contents and increase the moisture in the intestine, thereby softening stool, promoting intestinal peristalsis, and helping defecation.
Applicable scenarios: Commonly used to treat functional constipation, especially for those who do not use irritating laxatives, such as the elderly, children, and patients with certain chronic diseases. Compared with irritating laxatives, magnesium oxide is milder as a laxative and causes less damage to the intestinal mucosa.
Nutritional supplements
Supplementary magnesium elements: Magnesium is one of the essential constant elements in the human body, and is involved in the activation and physiological processes of a variety of enzymes in the body, such as energy metabolism, nerve conduction and muscle contraction. For some people who lack magnesium due to dietary imbalance, diseases, etc., magnesium oxide can be used as a supplementary source of magnesium. For example, long-term alcohol abusers, patients with gastrointestinal malabsorption are prone to magnesium deficiency, and magnesium oxide preparations help correct magnesium deficiency.
Safety and dosage: When used as a nutritional supplement, the dosage needs to be strictly controlled. Excessive intake of magnesium oxide may lead to adverse reactions such as diarrhea and hypermagnesemia. Under normal renal function, the human body has a certain ability to excrete excessive magnesium, but for those with renal insufficiency, it is necessary to use it with caution to prevent magnesium from accumulating and poisoning in the body.
Auxiliary materials in the pharmaceutical industry
Gluctogen: During the production of pharmaceutical preparations, magnesium oxide can improve the flowability of drug powder. The fluidity of drug powder is crucial for capsule filling, tablet tablet compression and other operations. Fine magnesium oxide particles can be filled between the granules of drug powder, reducing friction between particles, allowing the powder to flow more smoothly, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the drug preparation production process and the accuracy of dose.
Anti-adhesive agent: During tableting, drug powder may adhere to the punch and die surfaces, affecting the quality and production efficiency of the tablet. Magnesium oxide can be used as an anti-adhesive agent to reduce the adhesion between the drug powder and the punch and die, so as to make the surface of the pressed tablet smooth, avoid sticky phenomena, and improve the appearance quality and production efficiency of the tablet.