Magnesium

If you are interested in remaining youthful with increased energy and vitality, then you should continue to read this. There is a lot of talk about antioxidants, omega oils, calcium and several other nutrients and yet we may have overlooked the missing link in our diets, the mineral magnesium. Magnesium is involved in numerous biochemical reactions carried out within the body (over 350 in fact!) and interestingly the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are identical to those found in old age and include irregular heartbeat, clogged arteries, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, low energy levels, high blood pressure and insulin resistance. 

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and can be found in the teeth, bones and red blood cells. In fact half is found in bone and the rest in soft tissue in the body. The body jealously maintains about 1% of its magnesium within the blood making blood tests notoriously difficult to identify a deficiency. It activates more enzymes systems in the body than iron and zinc combined. It is estimated that a staggering 70% of the adult population may be magnesium deficient. People at serious risk of magnesium deficiency include the elderly, diabetics, those on low calorie diets, those over-indulging in alcohol and those engaged in heavy exercise.

Given the facts on magnesium deficiency, why are our diets simply not capable of providing us with this vital mineral? In the early 1900’s, our foods and water supplied us with sufficient magnesium. Unfortunately, nowadays our drinking water is filtered stripping vital minerals including magnesium, and modern farming methods have depleted the soils. In fact, magnesium levels in our water and foods are half what they were hundred years ago. Foods rich in magnesium include pumpkin seeds and spinach but one would have to eat a lot to even remotely try and counter deficiencies and frankly only supplementation will help to address this deficiency.

Benefits of Magnesium:

Low Energy & Fatigue

Magnesium is a key mineral in the enzyme processes that convert food into energy. Several studies indicate that individuals with low magnesium levels use more energy and therefore tire quickly. Magnesium is critical for both the synthesis and secretion of insulin which helps to break down glucose into energy at a cellular level. More often than not, diabetics are deficient in magnesium and there is justification in the use of magnesium supplements in diabetes not only to improve glucose tolerance but also to reduce the risk of many diabetic complications. Research indicates that magnesium deficiency may lead to chronic fatigue syndrome as cellular functions slow down.

PMS & Hormonal Imbalances

Premenstrual Syndrome is a name given to varied physical and emotive symptoms such as abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, irritability and anxiety that occur two to seven days before the onset of menstruation. Sufferers of PMS have significantly lower levels of magnesium suggesting a clear association. In fact research by Dr David Thomas showed sufferers of severe PMS will tend to have common elements within their diet. They will consume only half the average intake of iron and zinc. They will consume only a quarter of their necessary magnesium and will consume almost 80% more dairy and a staggering 275% more sugar!

Insomnia

The inability to sleep may also be linked to magnesium deficiency. If you find it difficult to sleep or find yourself waking up in the middle of the night with muscle spasms, cramps or stiffness, you may benefit from magnesium supplements. Several studies indicated that magnesium supplements were found to benefit sleep quality by decreasing the release of cortisol, the stress hormone that is responsible for sleep deprivation.

Bone Health

Although calcium is the most abundant skeletal mineral and the best known nutrient for maintaining bone density, new research has indicated that magnesium supplements may be of great value in both the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. The fact is that calcium is very poorly soluble on its own. It requires primarily sufficient quantities of magnesium and vitamin D in order for it to be absorbed into the bone. Magnesium deficiency alters calcium metabolism and affects the hormone that regulates calcium balance in the body. Research indicates that osteoporotic women have less bone magnesium and that magnesium intake is a significant statistical predictor of bone mineral content.

Cramps & Spasms

Like calcium, magnesium is essential for the proper function of muscles. Calcium is responsible for the contraction phase of muscles whilst magnesium is needed for the relaxation phase. Painful cramping at night and irritating twitches in the eyelids are usually the first signs of magnesium deficiency. Restless Leg Syndrome, a poorly understood neurological disorder, responds favourably to magnesium supplementation.

Headaches

Many studies indicate that there is a relationship between headaches, migraines and low levels of magnesium in the bloodstream. Magnesium’s benefits appear to be related to its muscle and nerve relaxing properties. In cluster headaches, people suffer from up to 20 bouts of pain daily in a single siege that can last for months. Magnesium infusions may end those cluster headaches with some relief often within a seven day period.

Anxiety, Nerves & Irritability

Magnesium works with calcium for the optimal function of the nervous system. Without adequate magnesium, the nerve cells cannot give or receive nerve impulses resulting in sensitivity to all types of stimuli such as lights may appear too bright, noises too loud and emotional reactions exaggerated. A deficiency in magnesium can result in the symptoms of anxiety and irritability since magnesium is required for the manufacture of adrenal stress hormones.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, one of the most painful urinary disorders, have beset humans for centuries. A kidney stone is a hard mass of chemicals from urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium oxalate. Studies indicate that magnesium helps prevent recurrence of calcium oxalate kidney stones due to its effects on solubilising calcium in urine.

Recommendations

By now you will have realised the crucial role of magnesium in the body’s processes, understood how deficiencies arise and that dietary intake from foods is simply not achievable. This leads us to simply accept that we do need to supplement magnesium. Unfortunately, magnesium supplements, either in a multivitamin or otherwise, are ill-absorbed by the body with average absorption rates of only 20%. Our intestines are simply not efficient at absorbing magnesium from supplements and increasing the intake simply results in diarrhoea. Absorption is dramatically reduced with poor digestive efficiency, particularly as we age or when unwell. This is why hospitals will always favour a slow, gradual supply (IV drip) rather than an oral intake. So how can we achieve optimal levels of magnesium in the body if supplements simply do not provide enough of this vital mineral? Having researched all the different types of magnesium supplements on the market, I endorse Pure Magnesium Oil which is a supersaturated solution of magnesium chloride derived from ancient Zechstein seabed mineral salts. Magnesium chloride is the form favoured by our bodies. In fact whatever the compound we take, it is converted to the chloride form in the stomach for better absorption and retention.

Magnesium Oil is not actually an oil but when applied to the skin it simply feels like an oil that is quickly absorbed through the skin to deliver magnesium to the body without any of the side effects associated with the oral route of taking magnesium liquids or tablets. Several studies have shown that using Magnesium Oil raised magnesium levels to the top of the reference scale within eight weeks (and without side effects) whilst the oral route can take two years or even longer! Magnesium Oil is also available as bath soaks or flakes and this method also deliver therapeutic quantities of magnesium into the bloodstream.

Magnesium Oil applied directly to the skin quickly floods and bathes cells and over the course of a day Magnesium Oil offers a gradual and optimally absorbable supply of magnesium. This particular Zechstein Inside source has been protected, filtered and condensed one mile underground for 250 million years! Unlike open-water sources it has absorbed no man-made pollutants from the atmosphere and is the purest natural form or magnesium chloride known. For this reason Magnesium Oil and Flakes are supplied to a number of medical institutions including the University College London hospitals. Small regular applications provide an excellent way for outpatients or parents to self-administer. Magnesium Oil is suitable for use in children and during pregnancy as it does not require primary processing by the stomach or organs so no diarrhoea effects.

Skin Health

The positive effect on muscle cramping tends to be noticed very quickly indeed but you will also see an improvement in the health of your skin. Magnesium is necessary for the elasticity and dermal protection of the skin and you will notice a smoothing and softening. In fact those suffering from psoriasis and eczema will experience a reduced irritation, redness and repair. Magnesium Flakes provides an excellent way to gradually and gently increases magnesium levels while providing wonderful muscle relaxation. Simply apply to a body bath or a foot bath and relax for 20 minutes.

Caution

Because Magnesium Oil is not processed by the digestive system or organs there are no reported contra-indications. However we would always advise patients with severe cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and those taking warfarin or tetracycline should not take magnesium supplements unless on the advice of a physician.