Maximize Health with Magnesium: Key Benefits & Sources

I have been taking magnesium powder (Natural Calm) at night for a long time. I take about 500 mg this way and it helps me to sleep and keeps my digestion regular. One night recently, I had had a snack and didn't want to drink the amount of water I would need to take my magnesium powder. I have some Nature's Way Magnesium capsules so I took two of those instead, which was a total of 800 mg of magnesium. I wondered if this would cause diarrhea because if I took that much Natural Calm, it surely would have. Well, it did not; in fact, the next day my digestion was noticeably slow. Whether it is because Natural Calm is a more absorbable form of magnesium (magnesium citrate) than the other, which was magnesium oxide, or something else, I do not know. But what that means is that not all magnesium supplements are equal. If one form of magnesium isn't working for you as you might hope, try another.

Secondly, I got lazy this week and skipped a few days of magnesium oil on my back at bedtime. Even with an oral magnesium supplement, if I skip the topical magnesium oil I wake up with stiffness. I made sure to use my magnesium oil last night and can really tell a difference - I was much less stiff when I woke up today. Some people find that topical magnesium affects the bowels, but it doesn't in my case, at least in the amount I use. But what is interesting to note is that internal use of magnesium does not have nearly the same benefit to me to reduce pain and stiffness that topical magnesium does.

What does this mean? If you want to use magnesium for a health problem, you may need to experiment with amounts you use as well as the brand you use, as well as the way you deliver it to your body (orally or through the skin.) And it seems there is no one size fits all. I guess this is where healing takes on its art form. There is a science to healing, but it isn't a once size fits all deal. Each individual is complex and unique in his needs, thus the art aspect of healing.

So, that is my two cents worth of musing on magnesium today...

~Mama to Many~

Thanks for your response to my response to Legna.

Legna had asked where to get Mag Chloride.

I told her and elaborated that there are numerous magnesiums, so the magnesium chloride would not be the only magnesium that would help with A Fib.

Your response was to criticize isolates as opposed to whole foods ... if I understood you correctly. I re-read her question and my response and the issue was very narrow. Your response was not the issue but nonetheless I'll speak to your viewpoint.

Isolated minerals, isolated vitamins, isolated glandular etc are in my opinion highly effected and in high doses often therapeutic and cannot be obtained in a whole food approach. Niacin, for instance, at fairly high levels is an excellent dilator and can be effective in warding off migraines.

Vitamin E (natural) the same for the cardio system.

Mike, I do consume an effective whole green drink and have been a whole food advocate for nearly 40 years and yet...I also use isolates.

Colloidal Silver is an isolate. One has to get it to high enough levels to make it work...so I just don't paint with so broad a brush as to eliminate the effectiveness of particular nutrients. I'm both "old school" and "new school." I'm a pragmatist and will use what works.

Best to you and wish you good health in 2014!!!

Magnesium oil is just 70% magnesium chloride dissolved in 30% water. My own view is that magnesium chloride is, without doubt, the best form of magnesium to use because even doctors administer it to ER for patients by IV who have just had a heart attack. And it works like magic to take the strain off the heart.

You should be able to buy magnesium oil easily from internet vendors and from health stores.

Also, because you are taking the mag oil transdermally and not ingesting it, your digestion will not be disturbed. I also think that, because magnesium chloride is not so alkaline as magnesium citrate and when ingested, the mag oil will not cause problems with digestion as does magnesium citrate. Indeed, I think that you will find that magnesium oil actually helps your digestion because of its chloride content. The normal dose of mag oil with water is 10 drops twice a day with meals.

And as Mike has also mentioned, Ancient Minerals brand is a good one to use.

When I had heart heart arrythmias and dizziness some years ago, it was the combination of magnesium oil together with lugols iodine that cured that problem for me. That's because I was deficient in both magnesium and iodine in my own diet. I take magnesium chloride and lugols iodine now on a daily basis and haven't suffered any arrythmias, dizziness or any other heart problems in the last 8 years and I'm 65 y o. Even just taking kelp extract(contains iodine) together with the magnesium every day would probably help you more.

Using Magnesium Chloride

Dr Carolyn Dean on Magnesium

So yeah, transdermal magnesium applications make sense to me. I haven't located a local source for Nigari (mag. Chloride) yet, but did get some Epsom salts. (mag. Sulphide)

I tried making the oil with Epsom Salt and spraying it on but my skin really stung from the application. Then I did a little more research and found one site that gave instructions on combining Epsom Salts with coconut oil to make a cream and massaging it into your skin. I used about ½ cup salts to 1/4 cup boiling water, (stirred a bunch and microwaved it until it was all dissolved good) which made a really thick "oil. " I keep this in a plastic container in the fridge until I'm ready for my "transdermal magnesium massage."

When I'm ready, I use 1 tbs. of Epsom Salts oil to 1 tbs. of coconut oil and mix it all up together real good in a small bowl, just using my fingers. It makes a light creamy mixture.

When I applied it, it didn't sting my skin and the cream was completely absorbed in less than twenty minutes, leaving my skin feeling soft and silky.

The spray oil irritated my skin, but the coconut oil and Epsom salt cream worked superbly. And it's so easy too! I can use it right after I take a shower or massage it into my feet, calves and arms while sitting in front of the TV.

I've combined this with my "Naked Bloody Mary blood pressure drink" which I consume faithfully now twice a day. It's 1 8oz glass of low sodium V-8 juice (820 mg. Of potassium! ) to which I add 1/4 to ½ tsp. Cayenne pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, and 2 tsp celery seed (and a slosh or two of Worcestershire sauce if 'ya want). Yep. It's dang hot but I'm getting used to it cuz' it works! (Potassium, garlic, cayenne and celery seed are all known helps for lowering blood pressure.)

After using this regimen just one week my blood pressure has dropped from 135/80 to 122/75! No more foot cramps and no more racing heart either!

Thank God! There IS hope and it sure ain't big Pharma!

I did some research and found that magnesium is not readily absorbed by the body but that in it's ionic form the absorbtion rate is close to 100%. Therefore, you benefit much more quickly by taking it in this form.

I purchased some ionic magnesium and started taking from .5 - .7 ml twice a day. I think the dosage can be increased according to weight and height. I add it to about 1/4 cup of water and drink it first thing in the morning and about a half hour before my evening meal. It's best to take it on an empty stomach. Within the first few days, the migraines were much less severe and didn't last as long. By the second week, I only had one. Since then I've only had three migraines and four months into using the magnesium, I've been migraine free now for over two months.

In addition, it has cleared up a number of other things. I have suffered from IBS for over 15 years, and a couple years ago found that taking dessicated porcine thyroid helped considerably and thought that the IBS was caused from low T-3 and T-4 thyroid enzymes. However, it never totally eliminated the IBS. I also read that people who are low in Thyroid are also deficient in Magnesium. Hence the low thyroid and the IBS has also been cleared up by using the Liquid Ionic Magnesium and I no longer have the need to supplement with the dessicated thyroid.

A few other things that I found has cleared up with the use of magnesium are brain fog, mood swings, acid reflux (haven't taken an anti-acid in months now), food allergies, increased energy, and now, well into winter, there are no aches and pains from arthritis. My son even claims that I look five years younger, which could be because I'm not in constant pain.

I have been filtering my water for a couple of years, but never thought about supplementing with minerals and I should have. However, I think I've always been low in magnesium, and despite what the acceptable levels of magnesium are, I feel some people need more than others. I can't praise this mineral loud and long enough, as it's benefits have pretty much given me back a normal life.

At first I bought Life Flo magnesium oil and used that. But I realized making my own is going to be a lot cheaper if I use it a lot.

I bought Ancient Minerals Mangesium flakes. I bring 1/2 cup distilled water to simmer on the stove in a stainless steel or glass pot. I remove it from the heat and add 1/2 cup magnesium flakes. According to some, this will not be as effective as store bought magnesium oil, but that makes no sense to me; I think it is an advertising thing.

I would guess magnesium flakes or oil from any reputable source would do.

I hope the magnesium oil will help your knees! It is great stuff.

~Mama to Many~

One night I watched a documentary called Feed your head about a doctor curing paranoid schitzophrenia with niacin. I have niacin but didn't take it regularly. That night I took the niacin with the magnesium and the next day I felt wonderful the next day, it was so dramatic. In the info you posted it states you need magnesium to properly metabolzie b vitamins and boy I sure learned that taking the two together. I thought the first day may have been a fluke, but as every day was better, it could only have been the magnesium with the niacin.

So I told my husband and he tried it. He experienced the same thing, you wake up feeling so good, full of energy and don't even need the coffee. I owe you Bill. I got a copy of my blood tests and the thing that was really out of control was my calcium levels. My doctor never even mentioned this, I guess he didn't see this as a problem. I am post menapausal for 10 years so supposedly should be calcium deficient. I was really upset to learn about the calcium and how the great damage these lies are doing to our bodies. I have had kidney problems from calcium deposits for years. Have bone spurs from calcium and can only imagine what it has done to my heart and arteries.

Our American healthcare is criminal. I am sharing the magnesium chloride and niacin at night with everyone I know. Especially with other women as we are bombarded with the suppsed need for all this calcium and have no idea that without magnesium, we are poisioning our bodies.

Should I take it with meals or on empty stomach?
I always take magnesium on an empty stomach. The best forms to take are Mag Chloride, Mag Citrate and Mag Gluconate -- these are the most soluble and absorbable forms. Avoid magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide -- they are badly absorbed by the body. My own favourite now is Magnesium Chloride. See this link: http://curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=49&db=5&C0=7

Should I dilute it?
I make my own Magnesium Oil(70%-80% magnesium chloride crystals and 20%-30% water) and just take 10 drops once or twice a day in a glass of water or orange juice and drink it. Or you can also just rub the magnesium oil onto your forearm to be absorbed transdermally. You can also take it in larger doses quite safely transdermally with no intestinal or diarrhea issues. You can buy magnesium oil in most health shops.

Should I take it with calcium or get just magnesium. I am taking the angstrom sized magnesium for 100% absorbtion without diarrhea. Is that good?
Western diets these days contains excess calcium anyway -- everything is now fortified with calcium nowadays so I would just avoid taking calcium supplements altogether. This what I did, and, together with taking magnesium -- this is what got rid of my own arrythmia problems in the past. Excess calcium also thickens the blood, makes your heart work harder and also acidifies your blood and cells if you are low magnesium or potassium.
Am I supposed to hold it beneath my tongue or swallow it?
Best to take it just as an oral supplement or transdermally as suggested. Magnesium sulphate(Epsom Salts) can also be used transdermally for magnesium intake.

"FOUR EASY STEPS FOR MAKING THE MAGNESIUM/BICARBONATE DRINKING WATER CALLED "WW", USING MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE IN "MILK OF MAGNESIA", AND CARBON DIOXIDE IN "CARBONATED WATER"

The chemical formula is Mg(OH)2 plus (CO2)2 --> Mg(HCO3)2

Step 1: CHILL COMPLETELY TO REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURE A 1 LITER BOTTLE OF "FULLY CARBONATED" WATER. Carbonated waters such as "Canada Dry Seltzer" which consist of only water and carbon dioxide (CO2) are suitable. "Club sodas" such as "Schweppes Club Soda" are also suitable; they are carbonated water with a small amount of added sodium.

Step 2: SHAKE WELL A BOTTLE OF PLAIN MILK OF MAGNESIA (MoM), THEN MEASURE OUT AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE 3 TBS (45 ml) AND HAVE IT READY. The plastic measuring cup that comes with the MoM is accurate and ideal for the purpose. Use only plain MoM without flavorings, sweeteners, mineral oil, or other additives. The "active ingredient" should be only magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), 400 mg per teaspoon (5 ml), and the "inactive ingredient" should be only purified water. 41.7% by weight of magnesium hydroxide is magnesium (Mg), so 1 teaspoon of MoM has 167 mg of Mg, and 1 tablespoon (TBS) has 500 mg of Mg (1 TBS = 15 ml).

Step 3: REMOVE THE BOTTLE OF CARBONATED WATER FROM THE REFRIGERATOR WITHOUT AGITATING IT. REMOVE THE CAP SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY TO MINIMIZE THE LOSS OF CO2. SLOWLY ADD THE PREMEASURED MoM, THEN PROMPTLY REPLACE THE CAP. Next, shake the bottle vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds, making the liquid cloudy. After 1/2 hour or so the liquid will have cleared, and any un-dissolved Mg-hydroxide will have settled to the bottom of the bottle. Again shake the bottle vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds, making the liquid cloudy again. When the liquid again clears all of the Mg hydroxide in the MoM should have reacted with all of the CO2 to become dissolved (ionized) magnesium and bicarbonate. However, if a small amount of un-dissolved Mg hydroxide still remains in the bottom of the bottle as a sediment it may be ignored. This 1 liter of concentrated magnesium bicarbonate water will have 1,500 mg of magnesium and 7,500 mg of bicarbonate. This concentrate must be diluted in order to be "WW".

Step 4: DILUTE THIS CONCENTRATE 11:1 TO MAKE DRINKABLE MAGNESIUM/BICARBONATE WATER (WW). To make 4 liters of WW measure and transfer 1/3 liter of the concentrate (333 ml) into a 4 liter container. Fill the container with 3 2/3 liters of plain, preferably purified water. Or, prepare a single glassful of WW by adding 11 ounces of water to 1 ounce of the concentrate. This drinkable water will have approximately 125 mg of Mg and 625 mg of bicarbonate per liter, at pH ~8.3. Other dilutions of the concentrate may of course be made, if so desired.
"
Taken from here:
http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f11/make-your-own-magnesium-bicarbonate-drink-tastes-sweet-46555/

The effects of drinking cups of this Mag water throughout the day have been very positive. My BM has become more regular, no more cramps and I don't get so tired -- no longer have a nap in the afternoons now. But the most remarkable effect is that I sleep so well and always wake up early full of energy, happy, aware and wide-awake with no aches or pains(I'm 60 y o).No brain fog or grogginess. Magnesium seems to have a wonderful effect on the brain for sure.

For the past month I have also added 2 teaspoons of sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon of borax to one litre of the Mag Water according to Ted's Remedy Combination Rules here:

https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/remedy-combinations.html

I added the sea salt and borax to this Mag Water because the sea salt supplies many other essential body minerals and also acts as an powerful antibiotic. The borax acts as an super-effective anti-fungal, a hormone balancer, and is also very good for the bones.

My next project is to put together a simple detox drink to be taken for short periods only and based on water, to get rid of heavy metals, dangerous halides and other food poisons from the body. I'll use Sodium Thiosulhate, Borax, Iodine, Tannic Acid etc as specified on this site by Ted. I'm researching their safety in combination right now. Perhaps Ted, with his vast knowledge of chemicals, could help here, since I'm finding this a little hard going at the moment.

What I want to do is just to make up another simple drink based on just water that can easily detox heavy metals, aluminium, halides and poisons from my body in one go. This drink to be taken occasionally and only when needed, for short periods of 3-4 days only.

I have just started taking magnesium citrate after reading about all its benefits on this site. Today a health practitioner told me that I should be taking calcium along with it otherwise the magnesium would not be absorbed.

But I stopped taking calcium supplements after reading about it on this site, and especially how Ted feels strongly that it is not necessary for adults to take this.

Now I am thoroughly confused! Would someone please help me about what is correct?
Thanks.

I say paradoxically because Mg has in the past definitely been a HELP for falling asleep, and it has also helped me to overcome migraine pain. A few articles online show I am not the first to notice this issue.

No internal magnesium that I have ever used, and I have used a few, can provide the muscle relaxing effects of topically applied mag oil, so I am with you on that topic.

Art