A growing amount of evidence suggests magnesium for asthma works as both a treatment and prevention method. Magnesium is an essential mineral needed for cells and tissues throughout the body.
Asthma causes inflammation in the lungs, swelling in the airways, and limited airflow that makes it difficult to breathe. Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness are among the symptoms of asthma.
ALERT: This Common Metal Keeps Your Heart Beating and Alive
Treatment involves lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or avoiding smoking, and medications. Nutritional and supplemental methods include adding magnesium to the diet for asthma.
People suffering from asthma often have low levels of
magnesium, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Emergency treatment for asthma attacks has included administering magnesium intravenously.
Magnesium sulfate has been successful in treating severe asthma attacks. The mineral may stop asthma attacks by reducing inflammation in the airways and relaxing air passages,
says Healthline. It could also inhibit chemicals that trigger spasms while increasing the production of nitric oxide to reverse inflammation.
Magnesium can act as a bronchodilator and antihistamine, says Dr. Carolyn Dean, a medical doctor, nutritionist and naturopath.
SPECIAL: Top Cardiologist Asks: Can Magnesium Save Your Heart?
Some medications can deplete levels of magnesium and make symptoms worse. Insufficient magnesium may cause spasms and tightening of the bronchial tract.
Magnesium for asthma calms muscles in the bronchial tubes and reduces histamine levels, Dean asserts. Drugs may help the condition, but finding underlying causes and replacing lost magnesium in the body are a more successful treatment of asthma.
By opening up the airways, magnesium relaxes smooth muscles and
prevents bronchial reactivity, says Dr. Julian Whitaker, founder and director of the Whitaker Wellness Institute. He recommends magnesium supplements to prevent asthma flare-ups.
Experts recommend 500 mg to 1,000 mg of magnesium daily to help fight acute asthma attacks. Along with magnesium deficiency, asthma may also cause depletion of vitamin C, selenium, and zinc, which contain antioxidants to improve the condition, Whitaker notes.
URGENT: Can You Avoid Heart Attacks With One Nutrient? Doctor Discovers ...
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.