What is Magnesium and why do we need it?

Magnesium is a vital mineral that regulates over 300 enzyme systems that control many biochemical activities in the body, such as your muscles, brain, blood, heart and bones.

It is essential for optimum health; nearly every single cell requires magnesium to be able to ‘perform’ and do its job. It promotes cardiovascular and bone health, and low levels can contribute to anxiety and depression.

While there are magnesium-rich foods we can eat (almonds and spinach are two examples), occasionally, we need a little more help, which is where supplements come in.

Magnesium Benefits

According to the NIH “Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.”

The European Commission has identified the benefits of magnesium to contribute to:

• reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• electrolyte balance
• normal muscle function
• normal energy yielding metabolism
•  normal functioning of the nervous system
•  normal protein synthesis
•  normal psychological function
•  maintenance of normal teeth
•  maintenance of normal bones
• a role in the process of cell division

Magnesium Absorption

Five foods with the highest magnesium per typical serving are:

• Pumpkin seeds (37% RI per handful)
• Tuna (26% RI per handful)
• Spinach (37% RI per cup cooked)
• Brown rice (20% RI per cup)
• Almonds (18% RI per cup)

The European Commission and the UK recommend 350mg/day of magnesium for men and 300mg/day for women. Whilst you can obtain magnesium from food sources, there can be various reasons why your body does not absorb as much as you eat. Absorption rates can vary; according to some studies, absorption of magnesium ingested magnesium or magnesium through food can be as low as 30-40%.

Magnesium that is not absorbed in the small intestine travels to the large intestine, where it may be absorbed in tiny amounts. The absorption of magnesium depends on the amount ingested.

Typical magnesium absorption involves:

• 40% of magnesium intake is absorbed in the small intestine
• 5% absorbed in the large intestine
• 55% leaving the body as waste

These percentages can vary depending on the kind of magnesium consumed and the individual’s magnesium status.
Overall magnesium absorption has been shown to be as low as 20% in certain people, according to studies here and here.

Calcium and magnesium absorption in the gut are influenced by each other; a high calcium intake can reduce magnesium absorption, while a low magnesium intake can enhance calcium absorption. So this also plays a role in how much magnesium is absorbed depending on each person.

How does magnesium spray differ from oral magnesium supplements?

Many people find that they can have an adverse reaction to oral magnesium supplements and often find it negatively affects their gut, so switching to a transdermal spray may be the answer.

Magnesium ‘oil’ is a transdermal mixture of magnesium chloride and water administered directly to the skin for rapid absorption.

As mentioned above, one of the significant issues with oral magnesium supplements is that so much magnesium is wasted in the digestive system and removed by the body, failing to reach the cells that require it as your body tries to metabolize it.

Scientists have found that “the absorption of magnesium decreased with increasing magnesium concentrations.” This is why high concentrations in oral supplements tend to be wasted so much.

Taking an excess of magnesium supplement by mouth causes bowel contents to become loose and watery (laxative effect), which precedes any of the magnesium’s benefits. There is no digestion necessary when administered via the skin, as the magnesium chloride solution is already in the optimal condition for cellular uptake.

You will see the benefits of magnesium much sooner, and you will absorb a larger amount of it. The body only gets what it needs, much like tree roots only take what they need from the earth. It is self-regulatory by nature.

What are the health benefits of magnesium spray?

While magnesium oil spray may be used at any time, a nighttime ritual helps relax the nervous system, something we could all use right now. The optimal time to use a magnesium spray is 30 minutes before going to bed, preferably after a shower or bath when the pores are open, and absorption is best. Apply 5 to 20 sprays to the area of concern in the morning and night and lightly massage into the skin.

Because your skin just absorbs what it requires, you don’t have to worry about overdoing it.
So, if you need a little stress alleviation, a few more (rested) sleep-filled nights, or simply a little brain-booster, you know who you should be friends with right now.

A mild tingling feeling may occur after the first application. This might suggest low magnesium levels caused by magnesium absorption via the pores at a rapid rate. This will fade with continued usage, and because absorption begins quickly after rubbing in, the skin may be toweled off afterwards.

Find out more about our Magnesium Oil Spray here