What is Magnesium?
Magnesium is a key mineral required by our body for maintaining its overall health. It is one of those essential minerals that assist in calcium absorption by the human body and plays a major role in the creation and strengthening of bones and teeth. In addition to that, it plays a role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions inside the body, including the breakdown of food, synthesis of fatty proteins and acids, and the transfer of nerve impulses.
ABSORPTION OF MAGNESIUM USED TRANSDERMALLY SUPERIOR TO TABLET SUPPLEMENTATION
Feeling tired, muscle cramps (an obvious sign), headaches, asthma, irregular heartbeat, these are only a few signs of a Magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body and it is perhaps the second most commonly deficient mineral after Zinc. Magnesium helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heart beat steady, and helps bones remain strong. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aid in the production of energy and protein.
The best Magnesium rich foods are, green, leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, particularly sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Tofu, legumes and wholegrains.
The diet of most humans is low in Magnesium because we eat primarily processed foods, which refines out a large portion of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency in plants is becoming an increasingly severe problem also, with the development of industry and agriculture and the increase in human population, this is also a major contributing factor.
So, what’s the best way get more Magnesium into our bodies along with a good diet - A number of trials and studies show the superior absorption levels of transdermal magnesium compared to tablet supplementation.
This in-vitro clinical trial carried out by the University of Cardiff proved that elemental magnesium could be delivered to the cells of the body through a transdermal delivery (through the skin). The trial showed that the skin started absorption with immediate effect and the action was accelerated with a short period of massaging the application area after spraying. In vitro transdermal delivery of magnesium – Dr Heard and Dr Houston – Cardiff University Pharmacy and Pharmacology Department 2010.
In this study, both the blood level as well as the cellular magnesium content were determined, with a hair analysis before and after a twelve week transdermal application, with a 31 percent saturated magnesium chloride solution. After a twelve week course of treatment, an average rise in the cellular magnesium content of 59.5 percent was determined in 89 percent of the test subjects. With oral magnesium intake, comparable results could first be achieved after nine to twenty four months. All patients showed an average improvement of 25.2 percent in the calcium-magnesium ratio during the test period. As a consequence, clear indications of a detoxification of heavy metals was observed in 78 percent of the test subjects.
A pilot study to determine the impact of transdermal magnesium treatment on serum levels and whole body CaMg ratios – Watkins, K & Josling, PD – The Nutrition Practitioner, Spring 2010
With all that said, we can easily turn a deficiency around by eating a healthier diet with less processed food, meat and dairy and by using a topical application of Magnesium daily.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”