Frequently Asked Questions
Magnesium is a vital mineral responsible for over 300 enzymatic processes in our body, it is critical for health and vitality. Most people know that Magnesium is a strong muscle relaxant that will also assist you to sleep well. However, it is also critical to help speed recovery whether it’s exercise related pain and muscle soreness, or related to other nerve and pain conditions.
During times of exercise or labour intensive work, our bodies require a far greater amount of Magnesium due to its loss through increased perspiration and urinary output, as well as the additional requirement our bodies need to produce energy and for muscle function. Alone Magnesium will improve muscle function by feeding our muscles, reduce fatigue by increasing ATP (energy) production and balancing our electrolytes. Magnesium will also assist to kick out lactic acid from our cells to reduce delayed onset muscles soreness post workout. Applying Magnesium direct to the worked muscles is a great way to recover faster from exercise.
But what about nerve pain? Whilst Magnesium is a known muscle relaxant and known to reduce muscle pain, it is not readily known for the role it plays in promoting healthy nerve function. Many people have used topical Magnesium for pain relief of nerve related conditions without really understanding why it works. A recent study has shown just how Magnesium works for nerve pain, it shows that Magnesium settles down the brain chemical known as NMDA otherwise known as the pain carrying neurotransmitter. In other words, it effectively turns off the pain receptor produced by our brain and fed through our body by the nervous system. Essentially this is why Magnesium has been an effective pain reliever for many nerve related conditions such as Sciatica, Neuropathic pain and Fibromyalgia.
“What is essential to remember about treating pain with Magnesium is that it treats both the symptoms and the cause of pain, meaning that the cause of pain can often be traced back to a Magnesium deficiency.” Dr Sircus
Many studies have shown that Magnesium deficiency can be a major amplifier of pain. Due to our limited dietary intake and food processing it is estimated that 80% of the population require additional Magnesium for health. Applying topical Magnesium to the area will help you recover faster and will help to boost your body’s Magnesium levels. It will also reduce pain, while leaving you feeling more energetic, helping you stay active!
Reference
“Mg attenuates chronic hypersensitivity and spinal cord NMDA receptor phosphorylation in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain,” The Journal of Physiology. Published online before print September 13, 2010, doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.197004.a
Magnesium is utilised in over 330 processes in our body. It is as vital to our health as is air and water. It is used for energy production, calming the nervous system, relaxing our muscles, maintaining our body electrolyte balance, maintaining our cardiovascular system, the strength of our bones, reducing pain receptors, our immune system, repair and healing our body and helps to calm and restore.
Without Magnesium your body can not function as it is meant to.
Once you experience how your body is meant to function with Magnesium you will not want to stop.
Unfortunately, conventional blood tests do not pick up Magnesium deficiency until it is too late. 75% of our Magnesium is stored in our bones and muscles, so the remaining 30% is within our blood. As a mineral electrolyte the body will draw Magnesium from other sources, such as the bones to maintain this amount in the blood. Therefore, ordinary blood tests don’t really show a deficiency. Hair analysis may show a deficiency, however this is costly.
There are however, many signs of deficiency that could mean you are deficient. These include lack of energy, aches and pains, restless legs, cramps, insomnia and headaches and migraines. Certain conditions such as stress, physical activity and diabetes, our modern lifestyle – including consumption of alcohol and sugary foods – will more readily deplete Magnesium levels. Many of these conditions respond within minutes of applying Magnesium to your body.
Unfortunately, our modern farming techniques have depleted our soils of vital Magnesium – therefore, our usual sources are nowhere near as rich as they use to be. Our modern diet, often, is not rich in leafy greens, nuts and seeds which is where Magnesium is found more readily. Our sugary processed diet, doesn’t help to maintain our Magnesium levels and in fact depletes our supplies to process these.
The general recommendation daily intake of Magnesium is 320mg for women and 400mg for men. Studies have shown that more than 75% of the population has some level of Magnesium deficiency, and others have shown that certain conditions may in fact respond very well to much higher levels of Magnesium in our bodies.
Taking Magnesium in tablet or powder form is not an ideal way of getting your Magnesium levels up. Many say that it only helps a little if at all. Magnesium in tablet form is not well digested, meaning you only get around 1/3 of what you take. Many people experience uncomfortable gastric distress from taking Magnesium tablets or powders – let alone the extreme bitter taste.
The only way to overdose on Magnesium is to take it internally, taking Magnesium internally can cause gut distress and the uncomfortable urgency to go to the bathroom. As you become older, this can unfortunately further exacerbate conditions such as IBS and reduce gut health.
There are a couple of contradictions to be aware of. Please seek advise from your doctor first if you have a kidney impairment or you have very low blood pressure.
Magnesium has been known to lower blood pressure, so please consult your doctor.
If you would like to ask a more personal question about using Magnesium to manage your condition, please email me at info@devou.com.au.
Absolutely, children can definitely benefit from the use of Magnesium! Children require Magnesium as much as adults do. Children can become irritable, restless and cranky if they require additional Magnesium.
My 6 year old son experiences dreadful growing pains in his legs, he now asks for his bath with Magnesium Chloride bath flakes at least weekly.
I have noticed that many teenage boys are experiencing cramping during or after sports. Spraying on Magnesium oil before their sports game or a good soak in the bath with Magnesium Chloride bath flakes helps to raise their Magnesium levels for better health and vitality.