Maximize Health with Magnesium: Key Benefits & Sources

After many hours of reading I bought the Borax and just started using it. I have had osteoarthritis in my thumbs for some time and it is slowly getting worse. Let's see what happens. However, my purpose here is to tell you about Magnesium. I have been using it for a long time but it didn't do me any good until I came upon a different form that has not been mentioned here. It is very hard to assimilate it in pill form. What I am using with success is Ionic magnesium citrate which is a powder that gets dissolved in a bit of hot water. It fizzles and the magnesium disappears into the water. This way it gets completely absorbed. Very effective. I get it in the USA, I don't know about its availability in other countries. I guess I am not supposed to mention brands, but I only know the one I am using. So, its not a tablet or a capsule or an oil, it is a drink. Hope this helps.

I have been using Mag for years to keep kidney stones at bay. Its best to also get some B6 with that. But yeah, it works.

It all depends on the individual, so the best approach is a "broad spectrum" magnesium. Get as many forms as possible which may mean at least two or more products. Here are the forms to look for: Magnesium ---Citrate, Orotate, Aspartate, Malate, Oxide.

What is the best type of magnesium to take??? Thank you!

I recently have been trying the Magnesium L-Threonate as a new form of magnesium By Life Extension, and it is supposed to give greater mental focus. I noticed that my heart would race at night and seemed to have a difficult time pumping. So I have decided to stop taking them. I also took all 3 at nite time so that may have been too many at once, but heck I'd rather not have thumping heart problems from a Magnesium supplement. Xoxo

I want to produce magnesium hydroxide from magnesium oxide and water. How much of the magnesium oxide powder and how much water should I take to make e.g. 100g magnesium hydroxide? The magnesium oxide powder is only 70-75% pure, that means it contains 70-75% magnesium oxide in it. Is there any problem for the reaction with the fact that magnesium oxide powder is not completely pure? Could anybody help me?

Magnesium works wonders for hyperthyoid issues, anxiety, and insomnia. It is incredibly powerful! A researcher who did his own study with Magnesium introduced me to the LIQUID FORM! Before, whenever I took it, I didn't notice much, but when I switched to a liquid form of Magnesium Chloride, boy, did it make a huge difference! Whenever I take it I feel totally relaxed and sleep like a baby! There's a liquid Magnesium Citrate new on the market now, too, which is also great! Perhaps it's the liquid forms of magnesium that are most potent and work best? Try them and you'll see how much better you can feel!

Hey Mike 62,

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!!!

Dave: 100 year old poor peasants living in 3rd world countries make worm casting tea. The man who won a 100 mile race against a horse eats vegetable soup. Apollo won nine gold medals in the winter olympics. He takes colostrum. Ron Teagarden takes fermented adaptogens. They don't take isolates. There are many websites that explain why isolates are not effective, like mini minerals, and fulvic acid is necessary for mineral absorption to name a couple. Some say the molecule is too big and some say because they are inorganic. Gardeners don't put isolates on their plants. They put compost. Nutrients are like a world class symphony. All the musical instruments have to be there in the proper ratio, finely tuned, and with great musicians.

Legna,

You ask where to get magnesium chloride...

You should be able to get it at any health food store or on line.

Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate. I've used that for A Fib too. I take orally magnesium citrate that an alternative MD got me on. As long as you are getting the magnesium in you I'm not sure I can determine that it really matters the form you receive it. I've asked that very question a number of times on EC but haven't gotten a response ... that is that one form is preferred. I'd love to hear from someone to lay all the different forms of magnesium out to explain what and why one is better than another.

For A Fib I also make sure I'm getting at least 400IUs of natural (NOT synthetic) vitamin E. I take the amino acid arginine also for the heart and general cardio support.

Where can I get the mag chloride product you took?

I totally agree with the above, that it is simple to make your own water using Magnesium Hydroxide (MOM) but it should have no other ingredients under inactive ingredients other then purified water. No bleach, no coloring, no flavoring. Just use the cap on top of the MOM and add a hair less then 3 tablespoons to the 1 liter bottle of seltzer water. This water is a good start for any other recipe that follows. Example would be those looking to add ACV or Salt or Baking soda for instance. There are videos to show you how on popular video sites I won't mention because some have ads in front which may violate EarthClinic policy. Just type Magnesium Bicarbonate Water or Homemade water in the search engine. I've been using this for quite sometime. I am 53 and my doc said I have a heart of a 15 year old. My bloodwork comes back perfect everytime. He even asked me what I'm doing and I tell him and everybody I know everything. I try to drink healthy, eat healthy, and supplement my diet with those nutrients that are no longer in our food for one reason or another. Starts with our water and I love EarthClinic for bringing me so many things I didn't know to life.

Lisinopril caused my heart to race. It also caused my panic attacks. I went off it and haven't had any since.

I looked into someone's eyes and there was a spot on the colored part that was turning grey and the rest was green, almost like the color had washed out. One of my friends is a nurse and I showed her and she gave the person a magnesium IV and her eye color was restored and her other health conditions that doctors had not been able to solve were healed with the IV magnesium. She was very low and sufferring miserably. They don't test mag levels when they do your blood tests.

Hi Karen... I prefer to take Magnesium Chloride (as Magnesium Oil) for Magnesium and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for malates. ACV contains both acetic acid and malic acid so when, as Ted from Bangkok advises, you add baking soda and water to two tablespoons of ACV this converts to acetates and malates which are then easily absorbed into the body from the intestines.

In my opinion, Magnesium Chloride is also the best form of magnesium to take and taking Magnesium chloride and ACV in this fashion will also be much cheaper for you. ACV is also high in potassium and other minerals so you also get that extra benefit too. The acetates and malates from ACV both also help to increase energy in the body. Also, malates in pill form are normally derived from a standardized chemical process. I don't like standardize chemical processes (think Codex Alimentarius). That's why I much prefer always using the natural forms or the bare mineral form as a simple powder only(no tablets).

Right now, because of the hot season in the Philippines, I also take 1/4 teaspoon of Vitamin C and two squirts of magnesium oil(large dose) every morning with my juice because of the searing heat. This somehow works magically to keep your body cool even in searing hot weather. I really don't know why or how it works -- you'll have to ask Ted -- but work it does!! I also take lugols iodine every day (6 to 8 drops a day) and this must also help to regulate body skin temperature more efficiently as well via the thyroid.

There are certainly other forms of Magnesium such as the malate, citrate and threonate salt forms which all have specific beneficial uses in the body. But the best all round form of magnesium to supplement is, without question, the magnesium chloride form because of its more widespread beneficial effects on the immune system, heart, increasing energy, nervous system, relaxing the muscles, regulating calcium in the body, relaxing the mind, antibiotic action, digestion etc.

I took magnesium plus other supplements but always craving chocolate, never satisfied. Recently I have found that I need to take a full spectrum mineral plus a magnesium citrate supplement .... both in the morning and at night. I read that some people are so low on mag and minerals that they have to slowly LOAD UP ON THEM UNTIL THEY GET DIARRHEA and then back off to their needed dose.

No more chocolate cravings... YAY!!!

A tip for the itching is to dilute the magnesium oil with more water. Separate into another small spray bottle and dillute it by 50 percent or more and then gradually increase the amount of the magnesium. I like to apply coconut oil over the magnesium and then go to bed. No reason to go full guns and be uncomfortably miserable with stinging and itching. I find that I can apply it to my scalp much stronger than to my face. So I get my hands wet and apply more water where it runs down behind my ears and on my forhead and cheeks full strength is too itchy. A splash of water and rub it in and I still get the benefits of it on my face. My hair by the way was falling by gobs. For the last 5 years in my hair brush and the shower drain. It was getting thin and my hair line had changed. My eyebrows were disappearing. Within a month or so my hair stopped falling out. And it is now coming back in even my eyebrows are starting to fill in. I like to rub into my scalp and sleep with it all night. When I wash it out in the morning my hair is exceptionally shiny with good body after leaving it on my scalp all night.

Rachel: So glad you found the cause. Don't count you & hubby out of the woods yet. Antioxidants in any form would definitely be indicated right now. From this it is possible that you could develop Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Yes, some of the "household products" are very toxic and many aren't labeled as strictly as, say, food items. A hot bath w/ Baking Soda /Epsom Salt would help rid the toxins. Take 1 grm Vit-C during the bath.

Dear TimH, thank you very kindly for your response. I spent Sunday replenishing my electrolytes and potassium in particular. The eyelid swelling went down almost immediately, but I had intense pressure and pain behind both eyes that kept me in bed much of the day Sunday. When my husband commented that he too had pressure behind his eyes, I started looking for another cause. Turns out... Da da da! ... That we were both having an allergic reaction to a fragrance in a beautiful reed diffuser that we had received as a gift on Saturday and set out. Wow! There was no listing of ingredients on the bottle, but I suspect the liquid contained not only essential oils but some very toxic chemicals. It took about 12 hours after I removed the bottle from the house for our eye pressure to go away. Who would have guessed?! Best to you, Rachel.

Rachel: it may never be known, this little symptom, as there are sooo many variables and unidentifiable causes. So, one must throw a "blanket" cure and reevaluate. Magnesium is a great mineral that is gaining popularity as a remedy of many health problems simply because it's soo lacking in the diet. But taking Mag alone isn't a balanced mineral approach. I suggest temporarily drop the large Mag dose and try a Cal/Mag/Zinc supplement. This should give you a broader range of efficacy.

Last night for the second night in a row, I took 2 teaspoons of powdered magnesium (the kind that dissolves in water). I got a severe stomach upset an hour later which I know was from the magnesium. There was a second side effect however, and I am wondering if this has happened to anyone else. My left eye started hurting me a little when I went to bed. Very tender if I put the slightest pressure on it. This morning when I woke up, half of my upper left eyelid near my nose is very swollen. I am drinking a lot of water to see if it will go down. My eyeball is not bloodshot. Anyone have an idea if this is related to the magnesium? I have never had this happen before. Thank you in advance for any advice!

Taurine regulates heartbeat, so if this occurs again for you or anyone else, consider reading up on taurine. Cystine pushes out taurine, so make sure you aren't testing with high cystine levels.

You're right about magnesium oil - it's great. We make our own by mixing magnesium chloride with distilled water (50/50). We put it in an empty roll-on deodorant bottle and use it as a deodorant, as well as rolling the oil on our legs and arms, bottoms of our feet, etc. No fuss - no muss! Cheers, Bess

Been researching to the core issues of health, and have found this stuff, Magnesium Chloride oil. It has so much going for it, I can only suggest looking it up! Among the most striking, are studies showing that it can stop or even reverse aging, and help heal all manner of issues, something needed by every body. It even re-mineralizes teeth, when brush with it. I am getting it first thing Monday morning to spray on my body.

Magnesium oil, essentially ancient dead sea salt, is an excellent complement to iodine, MSM, baking soda, ALA, N-acetyl cystein. It is absorbed by the skin without the diarrhea that comes from taking it internally. Scripture says that it is good to soak in the foam of the sea, and perhaps this is why. One would expect that soaking in dead sea salts would also provide magnesium through the skin. I still like the sea salts as an internal cleanser, though. And a quote:

"Brushing the teeth with Magnesium Oil and massaging it into the skin can directly assist with re- mineralizing teeth and bones."

--T.

I was getting atrial fibrillation attacks for 7 or 8 years, mostly in the mornings in winter. I could only sit quietly until it went away, dreadful feeling.

Taking a quarter tsp magnesium chloride everyday cured me very quickly, I don't need to take it any more now that I'm retired and not as active and my reserves are presumably back to normal.

I believe I developed atrial fibrillation because of heavy sweating due to physical outdoor work depleting my reserves of magnesium. All the doctors could prescribe were beta blockers which I soon stopped taking, but it was years before I discovered three people on one website, who had cured themselves of this awful affliction. Very much hope this helps others.

Take Magnesium Taurate. See an Auricular Medicine Doctor for reassurance. Dr. Carolyn Dean recommends mag. Taurate. I take buffered mag. Taurate. Or, apply Magnesium Oil. This is an excellent alternative bc it bypasses your digestive system and goes to work as soon as it is absorbed through the skin. Tip: make sure skin is slightly moist (warm water) and it will go on smoothly and readily. Good luck. LB

Hi Mary...

Hi this question is for you Bill. To accurately make the mag bicarbonate water would I be correct with the following proportions? 1 liter of carbonated water, 500ml of MoM, and 120ml of baking powder? Thanks, Mary

The easiest way to make a magnesium bicarbonate solution is to use Milk of Magnesia -- no aluminum -- and carbonated water.

Here is the recipe:

In its composition, this homemade magnesium/bicarbonate water is very close to brands like Noah's California Spring Water or Unique Water. The recipe is based on the reaction of magnesium hydroxide (in milk of magnesia) with plain carbonated water according to the formula

Mg(OH)₂ plus 2CO₂ —> Mg(HCO3)₂

Plain Milk of Magnesia (MoM) should be used in the recipe. The "active" ingredient should only be magnesium hydroxide [Mg (OH)2], 400 mg per teaspoon (5 ml), and the "inactive" ingredient should only be purified water. 41. 7% by weight of magnesium hydroxide is magnesium (Mg), so 5 ml of MoM has 167 mg of Mg, and 1 tablespoon has 500 mg of Mg (1 tablespoon = 15 ml).

To prepare the water follow these steps:

1. Chill a 1-liter bottle of unflavored seltzer, which is fully carbonated water. The seltzer should only contain water and carbon dioxide (CO2). Club soda is carbonated water with a small amount of added sodium and is also suitable.
2. Shake the bottle of Milk of Magnesia well, then measure out 3 tablespoons (45 ml) and have it ready. The plastic measuring cup that comes with the MoM is accurate and ideal for the purpose.
3. Remove the bottle of unflavored seltzer from the refrigerator without agitating it. Open it slowly and carefully to minimize the loss of CO2. As soon as the initial fizzing settles down, slowly add the pre-measured MoM. Promptly replace the cap on the water bottle and shake it vigorously for 30 seconds or so, making the liquid cloudy.

After 1/2 hour or so the liquid will have cleared, and any un-dissolved magnesium hydroxide will have settled to the bottom of the bottle. Again shake the bottle vigorously for 30 seconds or so, making the liquid cloudy again. When the liquid again clears all of the magnesium hydroxides in the MoM should have reacted with all of the CO2 to become dissolved (ionized) magnesium and bicarbonate.

If a small amount of un-dissolved magnesium hydroxide still remains in the bottom of the bottle as sediment it may be ignored.

This 1 liter of concentrated magnesium bicarbonate water will have approximately 1500 mg of magnesium and approximately 7500 mg of bicarbonate. It should be kept in the refrigerator. You may note that the sides of the bottle "cave in" when the liquid clears. This is a sign that the reaction is complete.

To make 4 liters of magnesium bicarbonate drinking water with approximately 125 mg of magnesium and approximately 625 mg of bicarbonate per liter and a pH of approximately 8 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 or purified water, as desired.

Magnesium dissolved in water (ionized) is considerably more bioavailable than is magnesium in pill form. While this is not as concentrated as colloidal magnesium, it is considerably easier on the tastebuds.

Source: http://www.acupuncturebrooklyn.com/how-tos/how-to-make-magnesium-bicarbonate-water

Hi. So pleased to have read these comments, makes me feel like I am not a hypocondriac. For maybe 30 years I have suffered with palpitations, missed heart beats which made you feel like your heart was stopping & sometimes would nearly faint. Went to heart specialists, GP's & all they would say was what am I worried about & would suggest Xanax for nerveswhich I did take for a while but did not correct problem. Ended up in hospital with severe of palpitations & high BP recently where a nurse mind you not a Dr. Suggested I take Magnesium powder. That was 3 months ago & I am a changed woman. I cannot believe that something as simple as Magnesium changed my life. So good to read your emails & know that your not on your own & to talk about it. Thank you.

In responce to Maleny from Canberra, I found a link to the same article now at

http://www.health-science-spirit.com/magnesiumchloride.html

Hi Leenot... Magnesium Hydroxide and Magnesium Oxide are both not very soluble in water. Being so insoluble -- these forms of magnesium are not good sources of supplemental magnesium for the body.

Magnesium Oil is a mixture of Magnesium Chloride crystals(60%) and water(40%). Magnesium Chloride is probably the best form of magnesium to supplement. Magnesium bicarbonate is another useful form of magnesium with a myriad uses, but this form is very hard to find. Mag Chloride can also be taken into the body and directly into the blood transdermally, when the magnesium oil is simply rubbed onto the skin. Here is some research evidence as to why magnesium chloride is so good and so necessary for the body:

Magnesium Chloride Use in Acute and Chronic Disease

Magnesium Chloride Product Analysis

I'm currently reading a book by Mark Sircus called Transdermal Magnesium: A New Modality for the Maintenance of Health and it is full of very useful and informative facts about magnesium chloride. The links above will tell you all about the history and usefulness of magnesium chloride.

Other forms of magnesium that you can supplement are mag citrate and mag gluconate -- but for me the mag chloride transdermal form(as magnesium oil) is still the best one to take.

Transfer Factor Cardio is also good to use. It has transfer factor which is a messenger molecule that rememebers potential threats to your cardiovascular system. It is used to balance blood pressure without the side effects. Look for transfer factor cardio and click on the product's profie sheet to see all of the ingredients and what it does. Vitamin b3 is also good for lowering blood pressure but you may need to take bcomplex and additional b3.

Elizabeth, I also take Lisinipril for HBP and then prescribed beta blocker and found my liver unable to detox it so I am running a little high; but do not have your heart racing. Lisinipril is very effective at reducing hypertension but it is hard on the kidneys. Do you restrict your sodium? Get enough Potassium? Cranberry or D-Mannose helps clear the infection. Herbs like Parsley, Cedar Berry help kidney function. Start w/ 250mg Magnesium daily for a few days then bump up to 500mg. Mg is also good for the heart. I would also take some Carnitine or/and CoQ10 for heart support. Hope this helps and good luck.

I had rapid heartbeats too, and the magnesium made a big big difference! Get a good transdermal form and you'll be amazed! Relief comes quick.

Hawthorne berry also helps with this, so I do both.

I am currently using Lisinipril for blood pressure, It seems that nightly my heart begins to race sometimes very fast. After counseling with a nutritionist, he told me that it sounds like I have a defenciency in magnesium. I also have the symtoms like insomnia, muscle weakness especially after exercise. I was wondering if there were any cases of healing from the use of this mineral. My physican offered me a beta-blocker of which has the most horrible side effects, even heart attack. I do not feel comfortable with this drug, but know too that heart racing is not healthy. Not only would I like to know if anyone has had any success with magnesium, but what is the time frame of bringing the magnesium levels up to normal. With all of the troubles of mine I also have tremendous allergic reactions to many drugs, foods and chemicals. Some direction would be greatly apprecitaed. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Elizabeth