Magnesium 101
What made me choose to work with and feature magnesium in my product line?
- I see so many people suffer from muscle cramps when they are on my table. It is a far too common occurrence. I often will recommend an Epsom salt bath when they get home or magnesium of some sort. You see, I learned all about Epsom salt and how it aids the body in relieving tired sore muscles while in massage school. I already was aware that magnesium acts as a natural muscle relaxer. I like to call it nature's flexural.
As I have gotten older my body has done peculiar things, such as developed restless leg syndrome. I have found utilizing magnesium oil spray on my legs prior to beds aids in reducing the sensation of worms in my legs. Knowing this existed I have recommended clients to go find a bottle of magnesium oil spray and use it for their own benefits. It is easy to use and quick, unlike an Epsom salt bath. This makes it more practical to use daily.
Since I found myself recommending this form of magnesium to my clients frequently I decided I should do a little more research on magnesium. I found out some really fascinating information.
What did I find out about magnesium?
Well, for starters 2/3 of people are walking around out there deficient in magnesium and have no clue. This is sad because magnesium is the 4th most abundant mineral in your body and is ESSENTIAL for over 300 different chemical reactions, including maintaining your energy level, assisting your nerves in firing, supporting a healthy immune system, helping you relax, and sustaining the health of your heart and blood vessels.
Every organ in your body, especially your heart, muscles, nerves, and kidneys, needs magnesium. This mineral also contributes to the makeup of strong, healthy teeth and bones. Magnesium activates enzymes, contributes to energy production, and helps regulate levels of calcium, copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in the body. It also plays a vital role in supporting healthy brain activity and an optimal state of mental health. Are you getting why magnesium is vital for the body now?
The benefits of Magnesium:
* Calms cramps, pain, inflammation and tendonitis
* Accelerate wound healing
* Helps to restore sleep quality
* Calms and maintains the nervous system
* May increase concentration and memory capacity
* Hair care and facial care
* Dental hygiene in mouthwashes and gum healing
* Calming periodontal pain
* Aids with bone and teeth growth and density
* Reduces muscle tension through massage
* Can help alleviate cold symptoms
* May calm headaches and migraines, earaches and the ENT sphere
* Promotes the detoxification of toxins and heavy metals
* Stimulates local blood circulation
* Improve skin problems
* Relieve muscle aches associated with sports activities
* Relieves pain associated with sports activities
Magnesium comes in 10 different forms:
1) Magnesium Citrate - taken orally - said to easily absorb in the digestive tract - used to raise magnesium levels and aid with constipation.
2) Magnesium Oxide - taken orally - said to poorly absorb in the digestive tract - used to aid in the relief of heartburn and constipation
3) *Magnesium Chloride* - taken orally and used topically - it is said to absorb easily in the digestive tract and absorbs the easiest transdermally - used internally for heartburn, constipation, and boosting levels of magnesium and used topically for muscle soreness - this is the form I use in my products
4) Magnesium Lactate - taken orally - said to be more gentle on the digestive system - used for those who need to ingest high doses or can't tolerate other forms
5) Magnesium Malate - taken orally - said to absorb very well in the digestive tract - used for fibromyalgia and is said to be less of a laxative than other forms
6)Magnesium Taurate - taken orally - still needs more research on absorption rate - used to possibly lower blood pressure and combined with tauirine to lower blood sugar levels
7)Magnesium L-threonate - taken orally -absorbs easily in the digestion - used for helping with depression and memory loss
8)Magnesium Sulfate - aka Epsom Salt - absorbs easily through the skin but can be ingested - used in baths to sooth sore muscles and aches and used orally to aid with constipation - I highly recommend Epsom Salt baths
9)Magnesium Glycinate - taken orally - absorbs through digestive system - used to reduce anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia
10)Magnesium Orotate - taken orally - absorbs ealiy without the laxative effects - used to promote heart health and blood vessel tissues
As a massage therapist I work with the body and topical applications to the skin. This is where my focus has been for my product creation. We have two forms of magnesium that absorb well through the skin and aid in reducing muscle aches and pains. Magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt is an amazium form of magnesium to sit in a bath and soak for 20 minutes or more. It leaves the body feeling really good and even helps you sleep better after the bath.
Magnesium chloride is the other form of magnesium that absobs easily through the skin. It is actually more absorbable than magnesium sulfate making it an excellent and superior option to add into my products and massages. This topical application works faster at getting into the blood stream than its fellow magnesium cousins.
So, what exactly is Magnesium Oil?
It's actually not an oil. Gasp! It is actually a highly concentrated liquid form of magnesium chloride which is really a form of salt (different than table salt). This liquid does not make the skin feel oilly as a regular oil would. It does have somewhat of a film and there can be dried salts left upon the skin after it dries. It can cause an itchy sensation on the skin if you are low on magnesium levels and dues to it being a form of salt. This is easily combated by diluting the oil 50/50 with water or mixing it with lotion and rubbing it into the skin. This is why I also created a lotion for people with more sensitive skin.
Ways Magnesium Oil can be used:
- Easily sprayed onto skin and left to absorb to relieve tired, sore, achy muscles.
- Spritz onto the abdomen if experiencing cramping from PMS.
- 2oz magnesium oil or 2 cups Epsom salt added to bathwater heated as hot as you can tolerate and then soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. This gives an overall body relief and aids with sleep.
- Spray 1-2 spritzes on underarms to utilize as a natural deodorant. It helps with the smell but not with the sweat.
- Can be used in a mouthwash gargle for quick absorption through the gums and to provide a healthier dental
hygiene. Use about 1/2 teaspoon and be careful not to swallow it or it can cause an upset stomach.
Usage, dosing, and safety precautions:
Every body is different and will require different levels of magnesium. Someone who is athletic will require more magnesium than someone who is not athletic because they burn through the mineral quicker. Consult your doctor if you have questions on your magnesium levels and needs. Note that you generally cannot overdose on magnesium unless you have complications of the kidneys or something more rare. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned you fall into this category.
To use the magnesium oil spray you can spritz it onto any body area causing you soreness. This can be feet, legs, back, neck, arms, and joints. Use 5-20 sprays per area as you are able to tolerate it. For instance, I like to use 3-4 sprays on each of my calves, lower back/hips, and neck with 1 spray on the sole of each foot. For me this accumulates to 15-20 sprays total on the whole body. After using it a few times you will figure out what dosage works best for you and helps to alleviate some of your discomfort. It can be used daily or on an as needed basis.
If you have kidney issues please consult your doctor before taking any form of magnesium as processing it in the body can be very taxing on your kidneys if they are not functioning as they should be. It may be more difficult for your body to eliminate through urine.
It is safe for pregnant women and can be very helpful as well.
You can give this to kids but use less and monitor the skin for sensitivity as children are often more prone to being sensitive and always need less with their smaller bodies. It is usually best to dilute the solution when using it on children.
Do not use it on your pets.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for informational purposes only. Any statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA and any information or products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or using this or any transdermal magnesium oil spray, lotion, or flakes.