Decreased magnesium levels during pregnancy lead to premature contractions and allopathic medicine treats this condition primarily with magnesium sulfate. However, high doses of tocolic magnesium sulphate prescribed to pregnant women in premature birth may be toxic and sometimes fatal to the newborn.

Magnesium sulphate given to women immediately prior to too early premature birth activity could improve the outcome for the baby in many respects. No serious adverse effects were observed at lower doses.

Magnesium chloride is needed to produce a large amount of stomach acids every day and to stimulate starch-processing enzymes. We may use magnesium as oxide or carbonate, but then we will have to produce extra hydrochloric acid to absorb it. Many elderly people, especially if they have chronic illnesses, desperately need more magnesium but can not produce enough hydrochloric acid and as a result can not absorb the oxide or carbonate.

Sulfate is also important and influences almost all cellular functions. Sulfate attaches to phenols and makes them less harmful by preparing them to be thrown out of the kidneys. Many of these potentially toxic molecules are contained in food. Sulfate regulates the activity of many molecules. Many systems in the body do not function well in a sulphate-depleted environment. Sulfur is so important to life that the body obviously takes borrowed proteins from the muscles to prevent the element from running out of it.

Magnesium sulfate saves human lives in emergency situations as quickly and efficiently as magnesium chloride, but magnesium chloride meets the requirements of a universal medicine, something that can not be said for magnesium sulphate.