Magnesium Oil: Definition, Benefits, and Deficiency

Overview

Magnesium (Mg) oil results from mixing Mg chloride flakes and water to produce an oily liquid.

Technically speaking, magnesium oil is not a real oil, but it has the texture and feel of one, which explains the widespread nomenclature.

Despite topical application (i.e., skin use) of magnesium chloride, the fast absorption of this liquid could potentially correct deficiencies.

Here are some of the functions that require magnesium:

• Mediating neuromuscular action (i.e., muscle contraction)
• Promoting healthy pregnancy and lactation
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Synthesizing DNA, bones, and protein

In this article, we will briefly discuss the benefits of applying magnesium oil topically, as well as the common signs and symptoms of Mg deficiency.

The benefits of magnesium oil

As mentioned above, magnesium oil corrects nutritional deficiencies, which prevents the following medical conditions:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic blood hypertension
• Myocardial infarction (i.e., heart attack)
• Strokes
• Osteoporosis (i.e., fragile bones)
• Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia
• Asthma

For decades, researchers analyzed the effects of magnesium supplementation on these ailments and found significant improvement in patients.

According to one study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine, the local application of magnesium oil on the arms and legs in patients with fibromyalgia significantly improved their clinical presentation (e.g., reduced pain).

Aside from correcting deficiencies, magnesium supplementation offers the following benefits:

Boosts physical performance 

Magnesium plays a major role in muscular contraction and physical performance. In fact, whenever you’re exercising, you will need 10-20% more magnesium compared to being at rest.

This mineral also optimizes the process of moving glucose into the cells and disposing of lactate, which reduces feelings of fatigue and energizes your muscular system.

According to several studies, taking magnesium supplements boosts exercise performance in athletes, elderly adults, and people with chronic illnesses.

Optimizes energy production

Perhaps the most important role of magnesium is the mediation of most biochemical reactions to ensure the proper function of the cells.

By being a cofactor in more than 600 enzymatic reactions, magnesium interferes with the energy-producing process, which is a crucial property for athletes.

Researchers found that magnesium assists the cells to synthesize new protein molecules from amino acids to mediate muscle hypertrophy after microscopic tears of the fibers.

Reduces risk of injury

Studies found that low magnesium intake is closely related to chronic inflammation, which is the cornerstone of multiple pathological conditions, including premature aging, obesity, chronic disease, and susceptibility to musculoskeletal injuries.

Reports state that individuals with low magnesium concentrations have abnormally high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).

In a 2017 study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that magnesium supplementation increases bone mineral density, which reduces the risk of traumatic fractures and also supports the connective structures (e.g., ligaments, tendons, articular cartilage).

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency presents with the following signs and symptoms:

• Muscle twitches and cramping
• Mental disorders (e.g., anxiety, lack of emotions)
• Osteoporosis
• Generalized fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., electrical irregularities of the heart)

Researchers found that most of these symptoms are reversible when patients take magnesium supplementation (e.g., magnesium oil).