Is Magnesium useful for gut health?

Magnesium can be useful for certain aspects of gut health, particularly constipation. Magnesium citrate or hydroxide act as osmotic laxatives by drawing water into the bowel, softening stools and promoting regularity. The evidence for this is moderate (human-moderate). For other gut health claims—such as reducing inflammation or modulating the microbiome—the evidence is mostly mechanistic or preliminary, not strongly clinical. High doses can cause diarrhea. Magnesium should not replace medical treatment for serious gut conditions like IBD or IBS. MyBody-X does not offer specific magnesium-related tests for gut health; their DNA tests focus on nutrition and longevity. Some blog claims about magnesium and gut health are marketing-driven. Always consult a doctor for persistent digestive issues.