Maximize Health with Magnesium: Key Benefits & Sources

I spent most of my adult life constipated. I was the only one who went to Mexico and prayed for Montezumas revenge! Now that I take magnesium 500 mg. 2x daily, everything works just like it clockwork. I have heard it is also good for migraine sufferers. I used to have lots of migraines when I was younger but went through menopause and they pretty much stopped (hormones were the culprit). I wish I had started taking magnesium years ago and maybe my migraines would have gone away alot sooner or at least been less frequent.

I've had incontinence about 6 years. Less than a week ago I read about magnesium for incontinence on this site. Within two days I was out walking hills without needing to make pit stops and without leaking. I haven't leaked a drop since taking the magnesium. I just spent $1000 co-pay to hear from the urologist that my options were surgery or physical therapy. I'm so disturbed that my gyn or urologist didn't know the benefits of magnesium, but I'm so thankful for this site and all that participate. I have a new lease on life because I can exercise again. Thanks!

I was utterly floored to learn that high blood pressure, racing heart, insomnia, foot and leg cramps and even osteoporosis were all symptomatic of magnesium deficiency. Since I've got them all, I decided I definitely needed more magnesium and then quickly learned that 500 mg in oral supplements is about my limit before diarrhea and intestinal cramping sets in.

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'm sure you have an answer by now since this is so long ago. But I wanted to say that I have had a seizure disorder for most of my life and eventually realized that it had something to do with constipation. Evidently when I was constipated some nerves were being pressed upon which triggered my seizures.

Epsom salt has really helped with this. I either bathe in it or take about 1/2 tsp. And/or I take magnesium citrate. I find both help.

I concur 100%... Lifelong constipation, high cholesterol and now gallstone. I just realized I am probably magnesium defincient to I started taking it and like clock-work the BM's are daily... I am hoping it helps the other issues (research says it does).

Magnesium is excellent for dissolving Kidney Stones!! Take 3 or 4 capsules a couple times a day and avoid the hospital stay.

Yes, I have been using it for 2 weeks. What a remarkable difference it has made for my brain! It produces a calm, clear headed feeling and my focus is much improved. Here is an article describing the clinical research.

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/feb2012_Novel-Magnesium-Compound-Reverses-Neurodegeneration_01.htm

Here is part of an article I read today in a British paper. Interesting that more and more often they are coming with their own "researches" telling people their own terrific "discoveries" which in the end are nothing more than what a lot of people already knew but which were denied for decades by the mainstream medicine! What would have happened a while ago if you had heart problems and asked your doctor about taking Epsom salts baths? He would have laughed in your face but now.... They have "discovered" that it actually works! The wonders of modern medicine..... By the way, these injections have been administred for years, at least according to one of my books!

"In another development, scientists have discovered that chemicals traditionally used in bath salts could help reduce damage caused by stroke. Magnesium sulphate is thought to dilate arteries in the brain, increasing the amount of vital nutrients reaching any damaged cells. Animal studies also show it protects nerve cells from damage, though researchers are unclear how it does this. Previous research has shown that people whose diets are high in magnesium are less likely to suffer a stroke.

Magnesium-rich foods include nuts, green vegetables and beans.

In a U. S. study starting next month, researchers will directly inject the chemical into arteries of 20 stroke patients.

'Salvage of viable, but threatened, tissue could give stroke patients an increased probability of favourable long-term outcome, ' they said".

In response to swim from wichita, your story is very interesting. Perhaps the exhaustion is just detox. I think the first step would be for you to try a different form of magnesium, perhaps orotate or gluconate, and see if the exhaustion remains.

Also, mag needs to be balanced with calcium and vitamin d3 (cholecalciferol). (Tim Ferriss, in his book 4-hour body, reports that his friend had long-term d3 deficiency and didn't know it. When that friend started supplementing D3 his energy went through the roof. -- Worth a try. ) Furthermore, if you were deficient in mag, you may have other deficiencies. Try taking omega-3, vitamin C, drinking lots of (non-chlorinated, non-flouridated) water, if you aren't already.

Please keep us updated.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Milk of Magnesia Helping Heart Palpitations but Causing Moodiness

I have been taking 1/4-1/3 tsp MOM 2x a day. It is AMAZING with totally curbing the muscle tension that leads to my migraines (cutting both of those out! ) and helping to slowly tame the heart palpitations that have gotten really frequent the last 2 months.

The problem I seem to have (It MAY just be a coincidence) is that I sure have been moody!

Is that a possible healing/work through it thing, or ? Any ideas? I am trying to find some other form of magnesium, but in the meantime I will cautiously use the MOM.

Thanks!

Val

Hi Malikitheguy, Could you be low in potassium? Try taking some potassium with the magnesium and if you can't get potassium try taking the Mg with lemon juice as it has a small amount in it (if it's grown well). Dates are also a good source. Otherwise try a different type of magnesium like epsom salts or magnesium chloride. All the best.

In a book I am reading right now, Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, Mark Sircus says that actually 1000mg a day might be the good amount for most people! I diluted Nigari in water and rub it over my body so I have no idea how much I am getting!

Hi, I was taking a magnesium citrate product for cyst issues, which it took care of very well and quickly, only taken a couple times the last I took slightly under the recommended dose and I started having palpitations and it became hard to breathe I was wondering if there was any link to this? or if its just me... Thanks much!

George, this doesn't appear to be an issue of safety, but of healthy. If you wish to BALANCE and OPTIMIZE your body's minerals, consider a complete mineral supplement like Ionic Trace Minerals Complex that contains up to 72 minerals. I have been having very good results w/ a Great Salt Lake mineral supplement in caps or liquid. Supplementing ALL the available minerals, you would thereby greatly reduce or totally eliminate the need for EXTRA magnesium. Also take 1 - 3 grams Taurine daily to help your body with mineral utilization.

I have been taking about 1000 mg of elemental Magnesium per day for the past few years to regulate my system and help with bowel function and over all health. It has worked wonders but I am concerned that I may damage my body with this amount of supplements per day. Naturpaths and other practitioners say that this amount of magnisium is safe? Does anyone have any other feedback on this?

This is absolutely fascinating! Thanks for sharing this info.

I've also experienced restlessness with the Magnesium Citrate. I tried the powdered "Natural Calm" and it did NOT calm me... Quite the opposite. So my doctor suggested MagOx which is Magnesium Oxide. I take two at night and sleep better than I have in years. It's also lowered my BP a little and my migraines have almost gone away. I've heard negatives about the oxide form of magnesium (absorption, stomach upset, etc) but for me it's worked miracles. I think everyone must figure out which form works best for them.

Please read my Hawthorn Motherwort entry under Heart Palpitations or my Mothewort Hawthorn entry under Tachycardia. Good chance the latter will be of help if you use it.

I would have to COMPLETELY agree with you about the Vitamin D. I was diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency and started Vitamin D therapy using supplements and developed extreme heart palpitations within 2 weeks. Didn't make any connection at first. When I quit taking the D the palps went away within a week to 2 weeks. I tried this test 5 different times in the last 6 months and I STILL have not found my Magnesium balance.

3 weeks ago I quit taking all D supplements and just focused on getting my D from the sun. (no sunscreen, 20-30 minutes every couple of days - arms, calves & face) I did that for about a week and a half and within about a week and a half I began getting the heart palps again. So, there is definitely, without a doubt a major need for Magnesium if supplementing for a Vitamin D deficiency. I didn't relaize I had been Mag deficient, but obviously I am.

So, long story longer, here I sit as my palps started back up last night. I alternate between a Mag Citrate powder and a Mag oil (topically). I am afraid to take any more than I already am. Iam taking a total of at least (combined sources) 500-600mg a day..... Today anyway. Before the palps started I was getting about 300mg a day.

Sorry if I am rambling. My doctors have been useless and know nothing of nutrition and when I mentioned the palps being from a Mag deficiency from taking the D, she didn't even listen to me.

Anyway, what would be a top/limit for a daily intake of Magnesium? I think I need more, I really do. What I do take is helping, but it doesn't take them completely away...... Also, I have read that just because you get loose stool from Mag that it doesn't mean you have taken too much neccessarily. What the body needs at that moment, it takes and excretes what it doesn't. That is why doses throughout the day are crucial.

If anyone has any other input I would appreciate it :O)

Have to add a big YES YES YES to Magnesium! I have been chronically constipated since I was a child. I usually used Triphala to help my slow bowel issues, which encourages the peristalsic contractions, but my bowels were still a little on the slow side (1 BM every 2 days) and most of the time they were too hard. I started taking magnesium for my anxiety issues and found that not only is magnesium a great supplement to relieve anxiety, but as an unintended result, my bowels are now soft and very easy to pass and I have a regular BM every day. No wonder Milk of Magnesia is a laxative - go figure!

I use a powdered blend of magnesium citrate and magnesium carbonate (two of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium) and take 1/2 teaspoonful every day. I use the powdered form because some studies show that the coating on tablets reduces the absorption of magnesium. It's best to start small to see how you react and increase the dosage if you find you need more. If your bowels are too loose, you are taking too much. If they are comfortably loose, you are at the right amount. Make sure you do not surpass the recommended amount per day, because your kidneys have to work hard to excrete the magnesium, and toxity has been reported in very high dosages. Do not use if you have kidney problems.

As another wonderful benefit, magnesium is very relaxing and is great for people who suffer from anxiety issues. Magnesium supplementation is also good for people who are taking calcium and/or Vitamin B6.

All the research I have done on Magnesium shows that ionic Magnesium is absorbed by the body much better than other forms & that magnesium oxide is one of the worst & hardest to be absorbed... So I would say to stick with the ionic magnesium... It works well for me, much better than the oxide version I used to take. The oxide one gave me bad diarrhea from malabsorbtion. Also I would say to definitely make sure you continue with magnesium supplementing if you start the vitamin D because it makes a magnesium deficiency more prominent... magnesium is just so important for over 300 enzyme processes & I believe processing vitamin D requires magnesium...

I was just reading about the possible mind/memory/learning benefits of a new magnesium l-threonate. The human trials are not finished but it's on the market.... has anyone out there used this yet and with what results? I am already benefiting with sleep, mood and digestion by using magnesium chloride in a weak drink and as an oil spray as well as soaking in epsom salts.

http://www.healthyfellow.com/461/natural-memory-boosters/

Thanks Bill! If I understand you correctly, if my body could tolerated 1/2 tsp of MC, then eventually I would start having diarrhea when my body hits the limit? or is it that I get diarrhea the first time around if I take more than what my body can take?

Also, I want to get this clear that we're talking about 1/2 tsp per day right? not 1/2 tsp 3x a day?

Hi Jeff... Magnesium Chloride can be taken in amounts up to 1/2 tspn in a glass of water per day. This amount has historically been used to cure diseases like diptheria and polio in the earlier days when medicine was more honest. See this link:

http://curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=49&db=5&C0=74

Normally, if you are taking MC for a specific reason for the first time, you should take a larger dose -- say 1/2 tspn and try to find the point where you get loose stools or diarrhea. This is called titrating the dose. This tells you that you body is getting enough magnesium and that's when you should cut back to 1/8 or 1/4 tspn a day. Every individual will have a different requirement for magnesium and this is the best way to find it.

Chris Gupta says you should take 25g/litre which works out to 2. 5gms(or 1/2 tspn) per 100 mL(or about 1/2 glass of water).

If you are using Magnesium Oil, the dosage is 10 drops two or three times a day outside mealtimes. Again you should try and find your own level by titration.

I recently bought magnesium chloride crystals at a local pharmacy, and made magnesium oil out of it. I am just wondering if I decide to take the crystals orally, how much should I be taking in terms of spoonfuls in a day? 1/8 tsp? 1/4? maybe more? the article by chris gupta is saying that it should be 25g/litre of water, but I don't want to make a batch of it, so I want to know how much it should be in terms of single servings.

As an update, the red spots that manifested on my mom's skin which was caused by the Magnesium Oil actually disappeared when I applied magnesium oil onto it. I read on another website that the red spots are suppose to be unused calcium from the cells which floated up to the skin, and putting magnesium oil on those spots should let the calcium go back to the bloodstream so that it can be used again by the body.

Thanks for the feedback. To Maria, what my wife meant was that my mom may have bad circulation issues before, and taking mag oil made the circulation better. My mom-in-law used to tell her that some people get itchy skin when the circulation comes rushing back, since blood tends to float up to the skin. I guess her circulation improved since she is sleeping better. But now her skin is full of red spots. I'm laying off the magnesium chloride for a while. Last night I tried dipping her feet in water with H202 which seemed to help lighten the red spots a bit. I don't think she's allergic to the mag oil because its only the top part of her foot which has the red spots. Her shins do itch but no spots. I also rubbed some on her forearm and even her chest but no red spots. only 1 area has those.

Do you guys think its ok to soak her feet in epsom salt even with the red spots or should I let it subside first?

Hi Jeff, This also happened to me. All through childhood and until recently I would even have to wash sea water off after having a swim, no waiting till I got home. Instead of rubbing the mag oil on spray it on and leave it on for a few minutes or till the itching starts and rinse off. Then lightly rub legs with ev olive oil or coconut oil. Soaking the feet in a tub also helps, do it for 20 mins in the evening. If all else fails try epsom salts foot soaks. I have never had a problem with epsom salts. Absolutely excellent in the bath and foot soaks, just use a jug of water or shower to rinse off. It may also be worthwhile taking a small amount of magnesium orally about 1/2 hour before bed. It's interesting that your wife thinks it could be circulation as I would have to say that mine has improved and now sea water does not need to be rinsed off, never thought of that.

If your mum has any other skin issues have a look at neem supplements and some morning or afternoon sunshine for Vit D. All the best.

Hi Jeff, I don't know if this is true or not, but I have read from several people online that if a person is deficient in magnesium that the oil will cause burning/itching. From my own experience I found this to be true. When I first started the mag. oil, I had terrible burning/itching and stopped using it. I took mag. powder internally for awhile then went back to using the oil again. This time, I had no burnng/itching. I couldn't say how long it will take for this to go away.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Recently, I bought Magnesium Chloride crystals and made mag oil out of it. My mom, who has both diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, seems to sleep better when I rub it on her lower legs. The problem is that it constantly itches. I am not sure if she is allergic to it since her legs don't turn red or anything but it itches like being bitten by a mosquito. I've been rubbing it on her legs for almost a week and the level of itching is still the same. I tried once to just paint it on her soles and it seems that her soles don't itch but her legs still itches even if I just rub it on her soles. My wife is speculating that it may be an issue of bad circulation. Has anyone experienced this? I've read through the magnesium and circulation postings and didn't find anything about itching. I did read somewhere that its quite probable since blood starts travel back in your skin and that makes it itch. My question is, how long does it take for the itching to start subsiding?

Thanks, works real well for leg cramps. Took Magnesium Chloride 535mg once at night for three nights and since then a great night sleep with no cramps.

To those interested, I used a ratio of 1:1, I boiled a cup of water and Dissolved a cup of magnesium chloride. So far, its working quite well, I rub it on my mom's legs every night. Her legs would itch a lot due to poor circulation, although it has helped her sleep quite well at night even if she feels itchy.

I have used magnesium chloride orally and transdermally. For the first time in my life I had no cramps. I can excericse hours and also no pain. My hands and voice used to shake when I was nervous. But it is gone now. I feel energetic and feel very happy. Magnesium chloride is miracle to me.. I also noticed that it detoxed. I had to use washroom a lot but I was full of energy. And it is increasing.. I wish all people use this amazing mineral.

Hi Mary, forgot to answer you on timing. We take about an hour before bed or so. I drink with milk but my husband just with water. Like I said, it has worked great doing it in the afternoon too. You just need to take the niacin with the magnesium. I had starting taking the magnesium chloride at night, and just happened to want to take the niacin after watching the documentry on Dr. Abram Hoffer and niacin. That made me want ti take niacin so I took it with the magenesium. I had taken niacin many times over the years but never felt anything but the flush. I never experienced anything like the effect as such when taking it with the magnesium chloride. The magnesium was great for sleep, acid reflux, digestion and for nerves, but alone there was no effect of the energy and mental clarity, better and disposition as such as when taken with the niacin. From Dr. Hoffer's research, niacin is just so important for the brain, which needs so much more nutrients than an other body system. But the just plain old feeling so good and energy wasn't something I was expecting. Everyone else I have given this too has the same experience. Just some feel so good in the AM then sort of hit an afternoon crash, but take the mag and niacin again and you are set for the day.

I take 2 Alta Magensium Chloride tablets with a 500 mg niacin. I started taking all my b vitamins now at night and no longer have bright yellow urine, so it sure seems that the magensium does impact the metabolization of b vitamins, so you actually use the vitamin. I started taking the same dose of the magnesium and niacin during the early afternoon or late morning. Starting to get tired mid afternoon like the effects wore off. Now it lasts through the day.

Hi: would you share what form and amount of magnesium and how much niacin. Also is this on an empty right before bed? Thanks

Thank you Bill from San Fernando! Your comments and links on magnesium chloride. This saved my digestion. ACV had helped with acid reflux but the magnesuim chloride is a miracle. I was in such bad shape, wasn't even able to digest food. From everything I have read it appears that I have been deficient in magnesium for a long time, but my entire chemistry was messed up by a staff infection I was given during surgey or from all the antibiotics. It happened so fast and doctors have no clue. They don't even take you serioulsy if they can't just perscribe a deadly drug. I have been getting sicker and sicker and just didn't know how much longer I could go on. I was taking the magnesium at night.

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.

you have discovered the tip of the magnesium iceberg, there is much more to magnesium supplements. Some like magnesium chloride oil and flakes can revitalize the body. Dig into transdermal magnesium. I wished I knew about it 40 years ago.

as a 65 year old, I recomment making magnesium a life-long mission. Your friends and family will thank you for your knowledge. Read Dr. Carolyn Dean. Magnesium chloride oil and flakes are a staple. I've been experimenting for a couple of years, and everything I read seems to be true.

HI, found this Magnesium is also a natural relaxer. It has a therapeutic effect on many different areas of the body. Those of you who have ever taken a magnesium supplement know what this feels like. I've taken it before to help me fall asleep, and it definitely does the trick. Not only that, but one of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency mentioned above is insomnia, so taking magnesium glycinate to help correct sleeplessness might be a good idea.

Glyconate is food aditive, I could not find the spelling you gave.. So I am not sure what you are taking.. Maybe you need magnesium chloride.. Drops in water and drink this.. & soak your feet.. Take a bath in it.. Make your own spray and use this way.. You will really sleep well at nite and perhaps feel vigor the next day...There is good reading on this.. On the internet.. And this site EC is excellant choice... God Bless everyone who helps getting all this GOOD info to US ALL....

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Help me solve my mystery with magnesium glycinate...

about 5 years ago, I was an avid lap swimmer, and spent about an hour and a half daily in the pool... Swimming two miles a day. I started taking Kal brand magnesium glycinate... 400mg.. Because I was having problems with leg and feet cramps. I noticed immediately that the magnesium made me fell exhausted during the day... Yet I continued to take it.

30 days after I started taking it my hair started to change. I have had my entire life thin, lifeless hair that never never grew... Several months into to it, people could not believe the difference in my appearance. My complexion was amazing and I looked like I had a new head of hair. And then my hair started to grow. For the first time in my life I grew long hair... Also, my mytrovalve prolapse problems stopped.. Yet I felt exhausted... So much so that it affected my days... So I quit taking it. Then I quit swimming. My bad hair has returned and my lifeless complexion is back. So the other day, I took the glycinate back out... Cut a pill in half.. Which is how I have always taken it, and the next day I felt exhausted... What would be going on...