Back in March I wrote a post about Magnesium- MAGNESIUM, FRIEND OR FOE. I wrote about the importance of maintaining adequate magnesium levels and the debate about whether or not Lymies should be supplementing magnesium when Magnesium is one of the building blocks of biofilms and the concern is magnesium may be helping Lyme to thrive in your body.

In the original post I did not delve into what kind of magnesium to take or how to take it.

After the post a company that sells a product line called Ancient Minerals contacted me. They have a range of topical magnesium products and they asked if I would like to try it and write a review. I of course accepted and went straight to the internet to read up on transdermal magnesium supplementation.

There are quite a few doctors that recommend transdermal vs. oral supplementation and not just when it comes to magnesium. (1)

Magnesium chloride, when supplied in sufficient quantities, can kick start cell physiology in a very powerful way. Few know that magnesium chloride is an impressive infection fighter and even fewer know that the best way to deliver magnesium to all the cells is through the skin. -Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD (2)

One of the first things I learned was that my believed Calm magnesium’s supplement was, yes, a wonderful laxative (the reason I love it so much) but that right there is one of the biggest problems with oral magnesium supplementation.

The tendency for oral magnesium to create a laxative effect, hinders the bodies ability to actually use that magnesium. It just passes through you so fast the body can’t capture and use it.

There is also the whole balancing of calcium and magnesium that gets confusing to those of us who may not have failed, but definitely didn’t grasp chemistry. How am I really supposed to know if I got the right ratio between all my supplements and food? I didn’t study food science either.

This is probably my favorite point made by topical magnesium proponents: Your body will absorb, through the skin, what it needs and not more. Perfect! My body needs magnesium for sure but I don’t want to over do it for fear of “feeding the Lyme”.

The Products-

I was sent Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil, Gel Plus, and Bath Flakes.

Epsom salt baths have been my stand by on this Lyme journey but I have to say I like the Magnesium Bath Flakes better.

Epsom salt baths relaxed my muscles, I think any bath would, but left my skin a bit irritated. I always had to shower off after a salt bath. Not what I wanted to do since standing up after a bath tends to leave me light headed and out of breath.

I don’t feel the need to shower after the magnesium bath. I feel more relaxed than I ever did after the Epsom salt baths. I can just crawl out of the bath, into my PJs and straight into bed ready to sleep.

So, conclusion- I love the Magnesium Bath Flakes.

The oil and the gel were not as easy to judge. My doctor, who I asked about the products before I tried them, told me the gel would be great for muscle pain.

I don’t suffer from much muscle pain anymore I haven’t for months. Do you ever notice when you say something like that, something happens to prove you wrong? Well, I guess the Lyme heard me and thought, “Oh well, we’ll show you muscle pain”.

Last week I went for a little hike with my husband. I don’t know if that is what threw out my lower back or if I just slept wrong, either way it was miserable. I couldn’t even stand up straight.

I pulled out the magnesium gel. I had my husband lather that stuff all over my lower back.

Did it fix it? No, of course not, it isn’t miracle gel. It did relieve the pain and tension in my back though. I used the spray oil a few times too just to mix it up.

My conclusion on the Magnesium Gel and Oil- I will use it for muscle pain in the future. I understand the function of the gel and oil as a topical supplement but the mineral residue that is left when the product dries is a bit too much for me. The residue is normal. It is recommended that you use the oil 20 minutes before showering, and rinse or wipe off the gel as well. That one extra step plants the Bath Flakes firmly in first place for me.

Here are some of the benefits Ancient Minerals advertises for their products. (Note that these are benefits of magnesium in general.)

  • Restores cellular magnesium levels
  • Natural cellular protectant
  • Facilitates safe and effective detoxification
  • Relief of aches, pains, spasms
  • Elevates mood and relieves stress
  • Encourages healthy skin tissue
  • Helps maintain proper muscle function
  • Boosts energy levels
  • Supports a healthy immune system
  • Balances the hormonal system
  • Calms overactive nerves
  • Improves quality of sleep

http://magnesiumforlife.com/transdermal-magnesium/principles-and-practices-of-transdermal-medicine/

http://www.winningcancer.com/txt/fundamental-methodology/