Magnesium is a mineral that is found in the ground, the sea and in the foods that we eat (chlorophyll). Magnesium ions assist in over 300 biochemical reactions that take place in the body like assisting our enzymes to function correctly which assists with digestion, support our cells to make and store energy, relax and regenerate muscles, build proteins and new cells, regulate our electrolyte balance and even help with the absorption of other nutrients. In fact the list of jobs that magnesium do for us is endless!
Magnesium is stored in the bones, ligaments and soft tissue then transported through the blood to the places where it is needed. If large amounts of magnesium are used and the stores are not replenished we become deficient in this mineral.
Foods rich in Magnesium go some way to helping with the problem but with modern farming methods where the land has been over-farmed a large percentage of minerals are lost in the food we eat today than 40 years ago.
Many lifestyle choices also deplete Magnesium in the body
Poor diet, (high levels of sugar, greasy foods
Eating large meals or eating late in the evening
Poor quality ingredients (foods high in pesticides or injected with hormones or foods lacking in good bacteria and enzymes)
Coffee or alcohol
Smoking
Excessive exercise
Antibiotics, pain killers, antihistamines and prescription or recreational drugs
Stress, worry or lack of sleep
Illnesses, colds and infections
Swelling, inflammation and hormone imbalances
The body uses Magnesium to cope with the stresses of living and when our resource runs out, symptoms develop.
Signs you are low of Magnesium
Anxiety, irritability, lethargy, impaired memory
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
Times of hyperactivity, hyperglycaemia
Difficulty getting to sleep, difficulty staying asleep
Muscle weakness, pain, spasms or cramps
Difficulty swallowing
Fibromyalgia
Facial Tics, Eye twitches, vertigo
Poor digestion, liver problems and gall bladder function
Irregular rapid heartbeat
In Children, failing to grow and thrive
A lack of magnesium can lead to deficiency in other nutrients as it is needed for the absorption of calcium and potassium
Supplement Compounds like Magnesium Chelate, Oxide, Orotate, Chloride, sulphate and carbonate Magnesium are available to buy but they vary in their bioavailability into the body through the stomach walls.
Unfortunately Magnesium is one mineral that doesn’t absorb particularly well from a supplement via the stomach so whilst you may think you are getting enough Magnesium taking a supplement, you may find very little is getting to where it is needed.
Ways to get more Magnesium into the body
Eat more foods that are rich in magnesium. Spinach or dark leafy green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll. Squash or pumpkin seeds, fish, beans and lentils. Brown rice, avocados and dark Chocolate all have higher amounts of Magnesium however there is another way to increase your Magnesium stores.
Daily Application of Magnesium Oil onto the skin
Magnesium and Vitamin D (sunshine) are 2 nutrients that can be effectively absorbed through the skin. A daily application of Magnesium to the skin can top up levels and over time replenish your supply of magnesium in times you are using a lot of magnesium. The correct level of magnesium will alleviate the symptoms listed above.
The RDA for Magnesium is 300mg per day and each spray of Magnesium oil contains approximately 18mg of magnesium. Therefore up to 16 sprays can be placed on the body each night.
When I first started using Magnesium oil I could sense how much my body needed through trial and error. I started by spraying 10 sprays each night. Magnesium is a diuretic so if you are using too much you will notice stools will loosen or you will have diarrhoea. If this happens then reduce the quantity you apply each night.
I didn't notice much change in the first few days so upped my dose by 2 sprays more each night. until I was comfortable with 16 sprays. A good sign that I had found my correct level of Magnesium was when I experienced a good night’s sleep and my muscles no longer felt stiff.
The amount of Magnesium oil will vary by person based on their lifestyle and what they eat. Other factors in the body will change the levels of magnesium, even swimming in the sea can change levels so continue to be aware of how you feel after using the magnesium oil.
Magnesium works best at the end of the day, when your body is resting and is able to regenerate during the night. If you forget to apply it at night, just apply when you remember. As explained, it is difficult to overdose using magnesium oil, just adjust the amounts for next time.
You will notice the Magnesium oil will tingle when you first apply it. If this is uncomfortable or develops into a rash, rinse and stop using it. However the tingling is a sign that the Magnesium is being absorbed into your body so if it is bearable do not remove from the skin.
You can keep the Magnesium on your body for anything between 30 minutes and 24 hours, the longer the better will assist absorption.
As the application dries it may turn white. If needed, apply lotion or oil on top of the Magnesium oil if this is unsightly. I tend to spray on my lower legs but the torso and upper legs are also good places.
Do not swallow or ingest the Magnesium oil. This includes kissing skin that has magnesium oil on it.
How to make Magnesium Oil
Magnesium oil is not strictly oil but it is called that due to the way your skin feels after application. You can buy Magnesium bath flakes on the internet to make the Magnesium oil. The brand I use is Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes (Around £5.00 - £10.00). The full packet can be used as a bath soak that is rinsed off after 1-3 hours. However using the full packet for one soak can be expensive and will reduce the benefit you get from regular applications of magnesium oil.
Boil 1 cup of filtered water. Distilled water is better than tap or boiled water as all of the potential bacteria will be removed in distillation. This will give your Magnesium Oil and extended shelf life. In addition if you water has no minerals in it, then it becomes a sponge and soaks up and much of the magnesium it can. If you are unable to get hold of distilled water then filtered or boiled water would be my next choice.
Pour Boiled Water onto 1 Cup of Magnesium Flakes
Stir until flakes are dissolved
Allow to cool and place in spray bottle
Risks
No adverse effects have been observed foods containing magnesium are consumed. Supplements however can cause adverse effects – diarrhoea being the most common when daily doses exceeds 350mg. Hypermagnesemia (an electrolyte disturbance due to elevated levels of Magnesium) is uncommon but has been reported, particularly with regular consumption of magnesium supplements in people with decreased kidney function. In the absence of risk factors, particularly undiagnosed kidney disease, magnesium supplementation is generally considered safe.