Magnesium oil has many reported benefits. And nearly three quarters of Americans are magnesium deficient. Photo: Pixabay
Coconut oil may be all the rage, but there is another oil that deserves some attention as well: magnesium. Magnesium is required for the proper growth and maintenance of bones and for the function of nerves, muscles, and many other parts of the body. It helps neutralize stomach acid and aids in digestion, while also regulating electrolyte balance, metabolism and other biochemical reactions.
Oil vs. pill form
With an estimated three-quarters of Americans taking in an insufficient amount of magnesium, it is one of the most commonly recommended and ingested supplements today. But if you take it, chances are you probably do so in pill form. Food for thought: the body absorbs and assimilates oil better than an oral supplement (which has to go all the way through your digestive tract to take effect). Oil is absorbed immediately through the largest organ in the body, your skin. You can spray it right where you want it. In addition, the body self-regulates absorption of magnesium, which means it won’t take in more transdermally than it needs. If you do get excess from your diet the body stores it for later, thus foregoing filtration through the liver and gall bladder like a prescription drug (which taxes those organs).
Benefits and symptoms of deficiency
Magnesium is known to reduce muscle tension, lessen pain associated with migraine headaches, and help with asthma. Athletes sometimes use magnesium to increase energy and endurance. The benefits of having enough are abundant.
Symptoms of deficient magnesium intake can include muscle cramps, anxiety, poor sleep, and chronic pain. Ideally you identify and correct the issue before symptoms occur.
How to know if you’re magnesium deficient?
But how can you know whether you’re getting enough? Since only 25% of Americans are actually getting enough, chances are you should probably be supplementing. If you drink carbonated or caffeinated drinks on a daily basis, regularly eat refined sugars like cakes and cookies, experience a lot of stress, take heart/asthma medication or birth control pills, drink more than seven alcoholic beverages a week, magnesium will be an added bonus to your health regimen.
Recommendations
Magnesium oil, unfortunately, can get pricey. Not to mention you want to be sure you’re buying a good quality product, as it is going directly into the blood stream. I personally recommend a few options. Ancient Minerals is great product that is pure, natural, and Zechstein sea bed sourced. Some say they find magnesium oil itchy, but that generally subsides with regular use. Purest Vantage is another recommendation since it is guaranteed free of contaminants and not to itch. Making your own oil is a third option that’s easy, fun, and brings down the cost.
Making your own
Take equal parts magnesium chloride flakes and distilled water, about a ½ cup each. Boil the water and pour it over the flakes, stir until dissolved and when it cools down pour into a glass sprayer. You can purchase all these items at your local natural grocery store or order through Amazon if not available in your area. Spray at least 10 sprays a day, wherever you need it most. I usually spray all my organs for detoxification. Be sure to use on any sore muscles that you might have; it’s also been reported to help with wrinkles…but that’s for another article.
