Why is Magnesium Important in Our Bodies?

Magnesium is a necessary element for all living organisms both animal and plant and is known as the ‘Master Mineral’. In human biology, magnesium is the eleventh most abundant element by mass in the human body; its ions are essential to all living cells, where they play a major role in manipulating important biological polyphosphate compounds like ATP (Adenosine-5'-triphosphate), DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), and RNA (Ribonucleic acid). Hundreds of enzymes thus require magnesium ions to function. (Source: Wikipedia)

It has been said that if  you are able to only take one supplement—make sure it’s magnesium!

• Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
• How Much Magnesium Do I Need & How Do I Get Enough?
• Magnesium Salt Flakes
• Magnesium Oil Spritz
• Magnesium Cream Herbal & Zest Citrus
• How Much Transdermal Magnesium Should Be Used?
• How and When Should I Apply the Magnesium Flakes / Spritz / Cream?
• What If I Have a  Skin Disorder / Swelling / Fluid Retention Can I Use Transdermal Magnesium?
• What’s The Tingly Sensation I Sometimes Feel When Using Transdermal Magnesium?
• Why Can I Have Detox Symptoms if I Start Using Transdermal Magnesium?

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

1. Anxiety and Panic attacks - Magnesium (Mg) normally keeps adrenal stress hormones under control.
2. Asthma - Both histamine production and bronchial spasms increase with Mg deficiency.
3. Blood clots - Mg has an important role to play in preventing blood clots and keeping the blood thin-much like aspirin but without the side effects.
4. Bowel disease / Constipation - Mg deficiency slows down the bowel causing constipation, which could lead to toxicity and malabsorption of nutrients, as well as colitis.
5. Cystitis - Bladder spasms are worsened by Mg deficiency.
6. Depression -Serotonin, which elevates moods, is dependent on Mg. A Mg-deficient brain is also more susceptible to allergens, foreign substances that can cause symptoms similar to mental illness.
7. Detoxification - Mg is crucial for the removal of toxic substances and heavy metals such as aluminum and lead.
8. Diabetes - Mg enhances insulin secretion, facilitating sugar metabolism. Without Mg insulin is not able to transfer glucose into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood causing various types of tissue damage.
9. Fatigue & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- Mg-deficient patients commonly experience fatigue because dozens of enzyme systems are under-functioning. An early symptom of Mg deficiency is frequently fatigue.
10. Heart disease - Mg deficiency is common in people with heart disease. Mg is administered in hospitals for acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmia. Like any other muscle, the heart muscle requires Mg. Mg is also used to treat angina, or chest pain, irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack
11. Hypertension / Stress - With insufficient Mg, spasm of blood vessels and high cholesterol occur, both of which lead to blood pressure problems.
12. Hypoglycemia - Mg keeps insulin under control; without Mg episodes of low blood sugar can result.
13. Insomnia or Restless Sleep - Sleep-regulating melatonin production is disturbed without sufficient Mg.
14. Kidney Disease incl Kidney Stones- Mg deficiency contributes to atherosclerotic kidney failure. Mg deficiency creates abnormal lipid levels and worsening blood sugar control in kidney transplant patients.
15. Liver Disease leading to liver failure - Mg deficiency commonly occurs during liver transplantation.
16. Migraine & Headaches - Serotonin balance is Mg-dependent. Deficiency of serotonin can result in migraine headaches and depression.
17. Musculoskeletal conditions - Fibrositis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, eye twitches, cramps, ‘Charley Horse’ and chronic neck and back pain may be caused by Mg deficiency and can be relieved with Mg supplements.
18. Nerve problems - Mg alleviates peripheral nerve disturbances throughout the whole body, such as migraines, muscle contractions, gastrointestinal spasms, and calf, foot and toe cramps. It is also used in treating central nervous symptoms of vertigo and confusion.
19. Obstetrics and Gynecology / PMS - Mg prevents Premenstrual Syndrome; prevents dysmenorrhea (cramping pain during menses); is important in the treatment of infertility; and alleviates premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in pregnancy. Intravenous Mg is given in obstetrical wards for pregnancy-induced hypertension and to lessen the risk of cerebral palsy and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mg should be a required supplement for pregnant mothers.
20. Osteoporosis - Use of calcium with Vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption without a balancing amount of Mg causes further Mg deficiency, which triggers a cascade of events leading to bone loss.
21. Raynaud’s Syndrome - Mg helps relax the spastic blood vessels that cause pain and numbness of the fingers.
22. Tooth decay - Mg deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth.

(Source: Material excerpted from Dean, Carolyn. The Miracle of Magnesium (2003 Ballantine Books: New York, NY), 2003. pp. 5-7. www.drcarolyndean.com)

How Much Magnesium Do I Need & How Do I Get Enough?

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is between 350 and 400 milligrams per day, which is just enough to ward off outright deficiency. But for optimal health and for the twenty-two conditions that are triggered by magnesium deficiency, Dr Carolyn Dean says perhaps twice as much magnesium is needed.
Please note: The only contraindications to magnesium are caused in people with outright kidney failure, bowel obstruction, Myasthenia gravis, or heart block. Also, if you have a heart condition you may find that taking magnesium can lessen the need for heart medication and you should be under doctor’s supervision to guide this process.
How do I get enough magnesium is a question that we are frequently asked. If there is enough magnesium in the soil where green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds are grown then we have a chance to obtain magnesium from our diet. Organic foods may have more magnesium, but only if farmers replenish their soil with magnesium-rich fertilizers. Most fertilizer used on factory farms relies heavily on nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to make plants grow and appear healthy.

In general, to get as much magnesium as possible in the diet, eat plenty of organic leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds every day. Adding green drinks to your menu will help you achieve a higher magnesium status. However, if you are suffering any of the above symptoms you may need supplemental magnesium:

Supplemental Magnesium can be taken in three ways orally, transdermally or via bathing or foot soaking.

The great benefit of transdermal magnesium is that magnesium is absorbed via the skin much more efficiently than if you were to ingest tablets or powders, which are hard to digest and absorb properly through the bowel wall, and especially if the digestive system is compromised by Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Also the older we get the less stomach acid is produced, which makes it more difficult to break down magnesium tablets in the stomach. Most people are lucky if they even get 20% of the magnesium from tablets making it to the tissue cells of the body. If you try to compensate by taking extra oral doses then you can liquefy the stool, in which case the magnesium is lost too quickly and doesn’t make it to the cells. Magnesium chloride has been found to be the most bioavailable form of magnesium.

Transdermal absorption of minerals has been practiced for thousands of years as people discovered that when they soaked in mineral-rich hot springs, they had a healing effect and rejuvenation. This process is called ‘Balneotheraphy’ and was tested extensively in studies by Russian scientists.
Now you can do it for much less expense in the comfort of your own home via foot soaking with a tablespoon of our Magnesium Salt Flakes for half an hour or you can have a bath with a cup of flakes.

How Much Transdermal Magnesium Should Be Used?

There is really no limit to what you can apply to the skin because when the body has enough at that point it simply stops absorbing anymore. It is self-regulatory and will not overdose itself with magnesium.

Magnesium is like a body currency with a bank account. When we push and stress the body in any way we lose a lot more magnesium than via normal metabolism. Foods these days are severely depleted in magnesium - especially in Australia, as our soils are so low. That means it's common for our 'magnesium bank account' to go into deficit. Over time, if it's chronic, it can result in the development of degenerative disease such as diabetes, heart disease, immune system disorders - even cancer. The body simply can't function properly without enough magnesium and starts to decay and age early. Magnesium is the king of the minerals - the master mineral and regulator of other electrolytes such as calcium, and it cofactors with many other nutrients. It also supports enzyme activity. There isn't one cellular function that doesn't use magnesium either directly or indirectly via enzyme action. We simply need it to live, and we need sufficient amounts to live well without disease.

Every individual is different and will have different magnesium needs and those needs can fluctuate depending on stress levels and any health issues - or exposures to toxins and chemicals. Look at magnesium is a vital building block nutrient which you apply to the skin so that it enters the epidermis, which becomes like a smorgasbord dinner plate,
from which the body draws as it needs. If you don't apply it regularly enough the body can't take what it needs. Transdermally the body only takes in the magnesium ions without any digestion required. That is why it is so much more efficient than having to digest and absorb the various compounds of Magnesium tablet / powder, which are hard
to get into the tissue cells of the body via the gut wall: Most is expelled via the digestive system without reaching the cells. When we are sick, the digestive system is even more compromised and less efficient.

Magnesium chloride however, is the most bio-available form of magnesium (especially that derived from sea salt water) because it also has the other trace elements. Our flakes come from sea water in the Tibetan Plateau and are food grade salts containing no pollutants of mercury or lead (as per open ocean water)... so they can also be used for
mouth wash and to put a few flakes in filtered or rain water to restore normal mineral water balance and alkalinity...

There are no contraindications with transdermal magnesium therapy and even kidney patients can safely absorb magnesium via the skin - however they need to avoid oral ingestion so as not to overload the kidneys.

Generally speaking, athletes tend to have more magnesium deficiency than other young people their age because they push their body so hard, are often sweating out their electrolytes, and many of the sport supplements don't have magnesium, or not enough of the absorbable type. Our sports physiotherapists and masseurs who use transdermal magnesium to treat their high end athletes report that they respond well to magnesium flakes soaking and massage with our Magnesium Cream and Magnesium Oil Spritz.

People with any health issues like diabetes, obesity, heart disease and nervous disorders can also feel great relief from regular transdermal magnesium. Magnesium is like an overall body tonic to calm nerves, relieve muscle cramps and spasms, promote better sleep, regulate blood pressure and heart rhythm, hormonal balance, metabolism, build strong bones and more…

How and When Should I Apply the Magnesium Salt Flakes / Magnesium Oil Spritz / Magnesium Cream?

Magnesium can be applied any time of the day, as needed. All the products can be combined and the more opportunity you give the body to take what it needs, the better. Soaking in hot water (foot soak or bathing) with dissolved magnesium flakes is excellent because it not only gives the body the opportunity to absorb magnesium, but it also takes the opportunity to release some toxins back into the water. Have a magnesium soak every night of the week or just 2-3 times a week – whatever people can do to fit with lifestyle. That's why it's a good idea also to apply the magnesium cream moisturiser every day. The Spritz can be applied directly to cramps or sore muscles and joints for relaxing the muscles and stimulating healthy blood flow. Magnesium acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.

Of course, salons should use the magnesium water only once per client, however at home people can share the magnesium foot soak with their partner in the comfort of the lounge room while watching TV, or reheat the Magnesium water a second time to get more out of it. Then sprinkle on the garden for the plants. After a couple of times the water can get too dirty, so it’s best not to use it more than twice. Some people add a large amount to their spa and leave it there because the spa filter removes the dirt particles, but not the magnesium because magnesium is completely water soluble. You can add flakes to the kids’ bath water and a couple of flakes to your pet’s drinking water to make sure the whole family has access to magnesium.

What If I Have a Skin Disorder / Swelling / Fluid Retention Can I Use Transdermal Magnesium?

Many people are now suffering from toxic build up because we are exposed more than ever before to higher levels of chemicals, fluoride in the water and food supply, mercury, food additives, EMFs and many more stresses - the list goes on. When the liver becomes overloaded and can't process efficiently anymore, the body tries to use the skin as
the next organ of excretion and you will see symptoms of eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis - even acne... Others will also get fluid retention, swelling and excess fat build up. These symptoms are evidence that the body is under pressure to eliminate. You will find in these people that they are usually also dehydrated and don't have enough clean water passing through the cells to enable them to flush out toxins very well. I always recommend to build up to drinking at least 3 litres in a 24 hour period of clean filtered water - remineralised and alkaline - (NOT fluoridated tap water which is toxic), and more water if they perspire a lot.

Very oily skin will be slower to absorb the cream because of the rich plant butters and oils. In this case soaking or bathing in magnesium water, and application of the Magnesium Oil Spritz is better. In the more mature mid-to-dry skin range the Magnesium Cream is taken up very well and adds beautiful condition and anti-ageing effect to the
epidermis. It holds water and hydration for most of the day - and will even continue to draw moisture from the air to the skin. Without the help of the extra plant oils the water-based Magnesium Oil can sit on top of dry skin too long and feel filmy or sticky. You can add the Magnesium Oil Spritz to top up the Magnesium Cream in places that may be sore or swollen, like tight muscles, joints and painful areas like lower back, shoulder muscles, etc. The Spritz is water based, but has a higher concentration of magnesium and adds a 'super-charge' to a particular area.

When we do shows and expos we always have a demonstration for people with a sore or stiff part of the body. We apply a small amount of Magnesium Cream and Spritz on top, massage in and tell them to walk around for half an hour and come back to tell us how they feel. With very few exceptions they come back pleasantly surprised, and buy some magnesium products. They feel a loosening up and relief quite quickly. We call it, ‘WD40 for the body'!

What's The Tingly Sensation I Sometimes Feel When Using Transdermal Magnesium?

Transdermal Magnesium Therapy using magnesium chloride is very safe, regardless of age or health status. However magnesium tends to stimulate the nerve endings as it passes through the skin. With direct application of the water based Magnesium Oil Spritz the skin can feel itchy, tingly or even prickly for some, depending on thinness of skin,
and the oil and hydration levels of the epidermis. This is usually not detected in hot water soaking or with use in combination with plant oils, which is why we have developed the Magnesium Cream. If people do feel a stimulating sensation it's only temporary, but they can dampen it down with application of extra oil on top. Many people now
use the Magnesium Cream to get rid of the itchiness of eczema. Because their skin is already so irritated from scratching they feel a temporary tingling or stinging, but then the inflammation and itchiness subsides. They say it's well worth it because the itching drives them crazy.

Why Can I Have Detox Symptoms if I Start Using Transdermal Magnesium?

One caution when people are starting with transdermal magnesium therapy: The increase in magnesium can trigger cells to detox, so people may feel some changes in the first few days and, depending on toxic levels, some detox symptoms. Encourage yourself to drink a lot of extra water (3 litres purified alkaline water per 24 hours) and do more
soaking or saunas to clear out the toxins faster transdermally. It is recommended to eat a predominantly fresh food diet and avoid sugar and processed foods. In some cases they can slow down the magnesium application rate and then build up more gradually so as to reduce detox symptoms. Some people will detox without feeling any tangible
signs. Everyone is different. Once the body replenishes its reserves of magnesium and toxins are cleared sufficiently, improved wellness is a natural outcome.

As we said above if  you are able to only take one supplement—make sure it’s magnesium!

Try one of our wonderful Magnesium Products today… Click on the product name below for more details.

• Magnesium Salt Flakes
• Magnesium Oil Spritz  
• Magnesium Cream Herbal
• Magnesium Cream Zest Citrus
• Magnesium Cream Island Spice
• Magnesium Cream for Pets
• Magnesium Cream 'Sensory GOLD'