MAGNESIUM THERAPIES
• Intravenous Mg is recommended by the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias. It is also recommended for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death for patients with ventricular arrhythmia associated with torsades de pointes who present with long QT syndrome and for treatment of patients with digoxin-induced arrhythmias.
• Mg sulfate – intravenous – is used to manage pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
• Hypomagnesemia, including that caused by alcoholism, is reversible by oral or parenteral Mg administration, depending on the degree of deficiency.
•There is evidence that Mg supplementation may play a role in migraine treatment and prevention. Migraines are a symptom of a higher-than-normal level of copper.
• Medically, Mg compounds are commonly used as laxatives and antacids. Mg is also used to stabilize abnormal nerve excitation or blood vessel spasm in conditions such as eclampsia.
Types of Mg salts and other therapeutic applications
• Magnesium borate, magnesium salicylate, and magnesium sulfate are antiseptics.
• Magnesium bromide is a mild sedative (this action is due to the bromide, not the magnesium).
• Magnesium carbonate powder is used by gymnasts, weightlifters, and climbers to eliminate palm sweat, prevent sticking, and improve the grip on gymnastic apparatus, lifting bars, and climbing rocks.
• Magnesium chloride, oxide, gluconate, malate, orotate, glycinate, ascorbate, and citrate are oral magnesium supplements.
• Magnesium hydroxide, suspended in water, is used in milk of magnesia antacids and laxatives.
• Magnesium stearate is a slightly flammable white powder with lubricating properties. In pharmaceutical technology, it is used in pharmaceutical manufacture to prevent tablets from sticking to the equipment while compressing the ingredients into tablet form.
• Magnesium sulfate, as the heptahydrate Epsom salt, is used as a bath salt, a laxative, and a highly soluble fertilizer. An Epsom salt bath is highly beneficial because of the combination of Mg and sulfate.
Overdose
Overdose from dietary sources alone is unlikely because the kidneys rapidly excrete excess Mg from the blood unless renal function is impaired.
Toxicology
Patients with kidney disease are often advised not to use Mg oil. However, a deficiency of Mg (or natural vitamin A) can cause kidney disease.
MAGNESIUM OIL DEFINED
The chemical formula for magnesium chloride hexahydrate (Mg salt flakes) is MgCl2.6H20. It is the combination of magnesium with chlorine, thereby becoming 'magnesium chloride.’ Mg chloride hexahydrate salt flakes are formed by seawater dehydration. During dehydration, the sodium chloride is removed to make table salt. The remainder of the brine, also called bischofite, is 98% Mg chloride hexahydrate and 2% residual sea trace minerals. The Mg chloride flakes are in a crystalline structure of six water molecules (i.e., hexahydrate). When mixed with extra water at a concentration of 30-70%, the resulting solution has a slippery, oil-like texture. But it isn't really an oil (such as plant lipids/fats) because it is a mineral electrolyte rather than carbon-based. The slippery feel is caused by the charge of the electrolytes structuring water molecules so that they are not random, as in empty distilled water. The more Mg chloride in solution, the more the water molecules are structured as they move towards the hexahydrate crystalline structure of the flakes again.
Applications
Mg oil/lotion/cream can be applied to the skin as an alternative to oral Mg supplements. It can prevent or treat a deficiency, relieve muscle aches and pain (especially headaches), and enhance relaxation. Mg is vital for over 600 cellular reactions in the human body, including the immune system.
Terra Aqua Chakra Balancing Body Mist is a divine new product that combines Mg with essential oils. It soothes and calms the body, mind, and spirit.
TRANSDERMAL MAGNESIUM
Transdermal absorption has been part of human history for centuries, from when ancient Egyptians and others started using saunas. Mg delivered through the skin acts as a muscle relaxant and skin rejuvenator.
According to Sandy Sanderson, creator of Elektra Magnesium, "Magnesium tablets and powders are difficult for many people to digest, especially if they have low stomach acid or IBS symptoms. Magnesium tablets and powders often contain fillers and binders that can interfere with digestion. They may work well as laxatives, but studies show that high concentrations of magnesium cannot pass through the gut wall, which absorbs magnesium optimally only in low amounts, as would be in natural mineral water and foods. High concentrations are mostly wasted by the digestive system.
Chelated magnesium, which is a supplement of magnesium joined up with an amino acid, may have better bioavailability in that they don't irritate the bowel so much. Furthermore, you still need sufficient stomach acid to digest it so you can use the magnesium (which is then converted to magnesium chloride for cell use anyway). These chelated forms may be magnesium taurate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium threonate, etc. The taurine, glycine, or threonine might very well be useful; however, only a smaller portion of the magnesium part can get through the gut wall due to the narrow window of opportunity of this barrier. High concentrations are out; low concentrations get in.
Transdermal absorption, in the form of dissolved magnesium chloride, is a more effective way to supplement magnesium when larger amounts are needed, because no further digestion is required. Being already in the right form for cell uptake, the magnesium chloride in solution can be absorbed by the epidermis (skin), the largest organ of the body.
This is why magnesium bathing or foot-soaking works so well to calm and relax muscles quickly. The skin can also act as a storage reservoir, which the body can draw from over time as required, thereby self-regulating magnesium uptake. It works fast too - especially in the context of massage. When the skin is well conditioned with lipids (fats), the magnesium uptake is enhanced. More information about the mechanism of action is available here.
Mg Cream/Lotion/Oil Massage
The best way to ensure you have a sufficient supply of Mg extraordinaire is to nourish your body with Elektra Mg Lotion/cream/oil daily. Every evening, treat yourself to a deep-tissue leg and foot massage that presses on the lymph nodes and along the meridian lines. You can easily do this yourself. It will also help you sleep like a baby.
My favorites are the large jars of Elektra’s Island Spice and Citrus Zest cream; second is Elektra’s Mg Charge Lotion. Nonetheless, the other Mg creams (Herbal, Sensory Gold) and the Oil Sprits are also good. They each have their benefits. Elektra’s Baby Calm Balm is superb and makes a great baby gift.
These fine Mg products are available in the USA at Magnesium Via Skin. ENJOY them!