In a sense, this is a new way to supplement the magnesium your body needs. Yet, in another sense, it is a very old way. Epsom salts were discovered when the town of Epsom in the south of England became famous for its bath waters many centuries ago. It wasn’t too long before people learned to boil down the water to extract the “salts” for their own use. The active ingredient in the salts was magnesium sulfate.

Epsom salt baths and poultices have since been used to treat everything from sore feet, muscle pain and skin blemished to asthma. Unlike oral magnesium supplements, epsom salts and transdermal magnesium have a long history of use.

This is what led me to look at transdermal magnesium oil.

First off, though, this magnesium oil is actually magnesium chloride rather than the magnesium sulfate used in epson salts – and is a much more effective delivery of magnesium. Yet, what research there is has shown that transdermal application has real potential. Dr. Norman Shealy, MD, Ph.D. is a neurosurgeon who specializes in pain treatments. His research showed positive results achieved with transdermal magnesium supplements in pain treatment and headaches. In addition, the transdermal application completely avoided the common problem of diarrhea that is encountered when using oral supplements. (Not to mention the real question of the additives that are used with many oral supplements, which may be dangerous themselves.) In his research, the patients used either foot baths or spray-on applications over the whole body.

Positive results reported from transdermal magnesium include reduced anxiety, better sleep, reduced tooth decay, smoother skin, reduced muscle pain and more (most of which are explained elsewhere in this website).

Why magnesium chloride instead of the magnesium sulfate found in epsom salts?

One answer is that magnesium sulfate is rapidly excreted from the body by the kidneys, making many of the benefits of epsom salts short-lived. On the other hand, magnesium chloride, which is found in unrefined sea salt, is much more easily metabolized by the body.

There are many positive reports from doctors and people who use transdermal magnesium, and I am rather swayed by it myself. Still, the skeptic in me wants to see what government agencies say, which tends to take a very restrictive and conservative view toward these things. Unfortunately, all I could come up with was the FDA saying that transdermal application was considered a “new” treatment.

Still, since the very same agency already recognizes the value of magnesium therapy in many areas, the only question is whether transdermal is a viable option in addition to dietary sources of magnesium. Scouring various forums shoes that people are really delighted with the results. Remarkably, I have not seen any negative reports from users at all.

I will report on my own experience, and happy to share with others here. Are you using transdermal magnesium? For what? How is it working?

If you would like to try for yourself, this company (Ancient Minerals) provides a great source of magnesium oil and bath supplements.

Comments are open…

USA                             Canada

Infants up to 3 years old:         40-80 mg                20–50 mg
Children 4 to 6 years old:         120 mg                    65mg
Children 7 to 10 years old:      170 mg                    100–135 mg
Adolescent to adult males:      270–400 mg        130–250 mg
Adolescent to adult females:   280–300 mg        135–210 mg
Pregnant females:                        320 mg                    195–245 mg
Breast-feeding females:             340–355 mg         245–265 mg

This chart is for “normal” people. If your body is expelling more magnesium than it should, you will need higher doses.

But taking supplements, you should consult a doctor. It is possible to get too much magnesium when you are using most supplements. Also, if you are taking any medication at all, you should confirm with your doctor that magnesium supplements with not interfere with them. If you have heart disease or kidney problems, check with your doctor as well about these.

With that in mind, lets look at how to add magnesium to your body.

First off, most magnesium supplements can be enhanced by taking additional vitamins that aid in magnesium absorption. Starting with chelated magnesium (the kind that is best absorbed by the body) you can aid your magnesium supplements by the following:

? Calcium (one or two parts calcium for one part magnesium)
? Vitamin C (helps your body utilize magnesium)
? Take your supplements with food
? Avoid taking vitamin D, which can interfere with magnesium

If you miss a does of magnesium, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed does. In other words, do not double dose.

Next up….which supplements to take?

This is where I get a bot stuck. The fact is, oral supplements do not absorb well. On top of that, they affect the digestive tract and could increase the chance of diarrhea. For some things, oral supplements, but for magnesium I highly doubt their efficacy.

On the other hand, the effectiveness of epsom salt baths are well established. Going on this, I tend to believe that transdermal (absorbed through the skin) supplements may be the way to go. I put a banner on the front page, just above the list, and also provide a link here to what may be the best option so far as this goes – from a distributor called Ancient Minerals.

I am still open to hearing more, and encourage comments from other people who have tried magnesium oils for skin applications. So far, they seem far superior to magnesium supplements.