Posts Tagged ‘magnesium massage’
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE & OTHER SALTS FOR COLDS & FLU
With the season of cold and flu in full swing, I thought of writing about the role of salts – magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate – in the treatment of colds and flu.
As the second most abundant mineral in the human body, magnesium plays a very important part in how our bodies respond to infection. Here is an abstract from a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition:
“Regarding the relation between Mg and the immune system, several groups leading in Nutrition and Immunology have shown evidence that magnesium plays a key role in the immune response; that is, as a co-factor for immunoglobulin synthesis, C’3 convertase, immune cell adherence, antibody-dependent cytolysis, IgM lymphocyte binding, macrophage response to lymphokines and T helper–B cell adherence (Galland, 1988).” (“Possible roles of magnesium on the immune system”, M Tam, S Gómez, M González-Gross and A Marcos, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2003) 57, 1193–1197. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601689).
Dr Mark Sircus observes in his book “Transdermal Magnesium Therapy”: “Our bodies are best served when they are brimming with magnesium reserves and we need to absorb a sufficient amount each and every day. A magnesium saturated body will have a tougher immune system that will fight more easily against infections and influenza.” (“Transdermal Magnesium Therapy”, 2007, p.200).
A person who is already ill or is recovering from an infection will require a higher dose of magnesium than a healthy person. Normally magnesium oil – the best source of magnesium for transdermal magnesium therapy – should be applied transdermally once a day, by rubbing or spraying it on the body. Magnesium oil is highly concentrated, so can sting, especially if one has sensitive skin. It is advisable in this case to dilute magnesium oil in a 1:1 or even 1:2 ratio of magnesium oil to water. It is also easy to make own magnesium oil – by mixing good quality magnesium flakes with water, to suit hyour skin type. Magnesium foot baths is another very effective way to relax and replenish the body with magnesium. Use about 150ml of magnesium oil per oot bath, or 100g of flakes. Take foot baths every day for 7 days, and then 2-3 times a week afterwards.
When using in a bath, add 200-250ml of magnesium oil to a warm bath. If using magnesium flakes – about 150g should do, although some people prefer a more concentrated bath, and this is fine too. When just starting with transdermal magnesium therapy, the best thing is to apply the oil or have a bath every day for a week, and then 2-3 times a week, or as required.
It is also important to rememeber that infection thrives in an an acidic/ low pH environment, so alkalising the body is important. Dr Sircus has written a lot about alkalising the body with sodium bicarbonate. I can also suggest bathing in and drinking sodium bentonite clay mixed with water. Not only will it alkalise the body (sodium bentonite has a typicl pH of 9-10), but will also pick up heavy metals and organic toxins from the body through ion exchange mechanism. Clays are mild but at the same time powerful natural substances which work with the body systems in a very intelligent and harmonious way, adjusting what needs to be adjusted, removing what needs to be removed, leaving what needs to be left and replacing deficient minerals.
A few words should be said about Himalayan salt. It is an ancient salt which is mined in the salt caves of the Himalayas. It is unchanged by processing, and works really well for colds and flu - both when rinsing an infected throat and nose. For rinsing the nose, I can suggest using 2-2.5 grams of salt per 100ml of water, adding to it 5g (level teaspoonful) of sodium bicarbonate. Pour it in a bowl, and start breathing “sucking” it into the nose by inhaling slowly. Once it is in the nose, and just before it gets into the mouth, push it out by exhaling through the nose. Do it a couple of times. You will feel the urge to blow the nose afterwards, and the sinuses will feel much clearer as a result.
For rinsing the throat the amount of the salt can be increased to a full teaspoonful (5g) of salt and sodium bicarbonate. Rinse at least 6 times a day, until the infection goes away.
Himalayan salt is easily available online these days. Sea salt can also be used (preferably unprocessed), or Dead Sea salt. And although magnesium chloride is the best salt for transdermal magnesium applications, if it is not available, then Epsom salt is the next best alternative. Baths with Epsom salt are both relaxing and detoxifying. They are also a great source of magnesium for the body.
WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?
To book a MAGNESIUM WRAP IN LONDON or TO BOOK THE TRAINING please email info@medicina-uk.com.
MAGNESIUM – THE ‘ENERGY’ MINERAL – STUDY
Magnesium is the ultimate ‘energy’ mineral. Without magnesium energy simply cannot be produced. This is due to the fact that magnesium is required in the production energy-rich bonds and release of energy within the cell, from ATP – the “energy” molecule of each cell. If ATP is not bound by magnesium, then the cell dies.
Researchers with the USDA Agricultural Research Service recruited 10 postmenopausal women to participate in a three-phase diet and exercise study. During phase one (35 days), the women followed a controlled diet that delivered an adequate amount of magnesium. (The current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for women is 320 mg daily. For men; 420 mg daily.)
In the second phase (93 days), each subject consumed a diet that contained less than half the RDA for magnesium. In the final phase (49 days) the subjects returned to a diet with adequate magnesium. At the end of each phase, subjects took exercise tests, as well as physiological and biochemical tests.
Results showed that when magnesium intake was low, exercise increased heart rate and required more oxygen compared to exercising when magnesium intake was adequate. Also, when magnesium levels in muscles were low, more energy was required and subjects tired more easily compared to subjects with adequate magnesium levels.
“Dietary Magnesium Depletion Affects Metabolic Responses During Submaximal Exercise in Postmenopausal Women” Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 132, No. 5, May 2002, www.nutrition.org
Transdermal magnesium therapy is the quickest and most efficient way to raise magnesium levels in the body to an optimal level. It is also most practical, since it can be administered as a magnesium oil spray, massage, bath, foot bath, compress, body wrap.
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WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?
To book a MAGNESIUM WRAP IN LONDON or TO BOOK THE TRAINING please email info@medicina-uk.com.
QUICK WAYS TO REPLENISH MAGNESIUM LEVEL & KEEP IT HIGH
Oral supplementation is probably the first one most of us will think of when we talk about topping up our level of magnesium in the body. However, not all of us can absorb oral magnesium efficiently, especially if the digestive system is clogged up with impurities, or is not very efficient – which is true of the majority of the world population over the age of 30. Even when it is healthy, much of magnesium we take orally passes through the body unabsorbed, and if we take too much then even less of it will be absorbed, since it is a laxative.
This makes transdermal magnesium supplementation a much more suitable and attractive option for most people. Transdermally, magnesium gets into the cells – where it is most needed – much more quickly than it does when taken by mouth.
The most popular ways to supplement magnesium transdermally is a bath, a spray, or a massage. Body spray and massage are most economical ways to do it. Just spray or massage the body with magnesium oil once a day after a bath or a shower. Leave it on for 1 hour, or even overnight if you can, and you should feel the relaxing and tension relieving effects of magnesium very soon.
Transdermally, magnesium can also be administered in baths, foot baths and compresses. For a bath I suggest using magnesium flakes as the more economical way to achieve the best concentration. Use about 500g -1kg of magnesium chloride flake in a bath, and 250g – 500g in a foot bath. Such procedures are most beneficial before bed time, since deep relaxation resulting from and increase of magnesium in the body will certainly promote sleep.
FAR-INFRARED MAGNESIUM WRAP
This is an amazingly relaxing and therapeutic treatment which I have developed recently. It is aimed at those who are desperately deficient in magnesium and need quick supplementation. The treatment uses far-infrared heat to open up pores and boost circulation not only in the skin, but in deeper body structures. With the pores open and blood flow increased, magnesium stands a better chance to be absorbed quickly and in large quantities.
The treatment is preceded by a massage to stimulate circulation and soften up the tissues. The infrared heat helps open up the cell membranes, which contributes towards magnesium absorption.
Apart from being very therapeutic, the treatment is thoroughly relaxing, thanks to the effects of magnesium and the infrared heat. It promotes detoxification on the cellular level, helps to relieve aches, pains, muscle spasms, arthritis, sleep problems, fatigue, boost immunity, promote relaxation, help relieve water retention and is a really great start to a weight loss programme. People generally lose a lot of water during the treatment which has an added physical effect of feeling lighter afterwards.
One of my customers described the way she felt during the treatment as “wrapped in a soft cocoon”, and another said that it felt “like being in a mother’s womb waiting to be born”.
WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?
To book a MAGNESIUM WRAP IN LONDON or TO BOOK THE TRAINING please email info@medicina-uk.com.
Stress, fertility & magnesium
Taking it easy may be the offhand advice doctors give to women who cannot conceive, but new scientific evidence confirms that stress does indeed play a role in conception.
Researchers at Oxford University and the US National Institutes of Health measured stress in women trying to get pregnant and found that those who were most stressed were least likely to conceive.
Stress joins other well known pregnancy risk factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity.
The study measured two stress hormones in healthy women between the ages of 18 and 40 who were trying to conceive. It found that women with high levels of adrenalin had a 12 per cent lower chance of conceiving when fertile as compared to those who were less stressed.
“Irrespective of the day or frequency of sexual intercourse during the fertile window, women with higher concentrations of alpha-amylase were less likely to conceive than women with lower concentrations,” the study said, referring to the enzyme that is an indicator of adrenalin levels.
However, women who were found to have a higher level of cortisol, which is a measure of chronic stress, were no less likely to conceive than women with lower levels of the stress hormone.
Dr Cecilia Pyper, of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, said: “The findings support the idea that couples should aim to stay as relaxed as they can about trying for a baby.
“In some people’s cases, it might be relevant to look at relaxation techniques, counselling and even approaches like yoga and meditation.”
The findings are published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/stress-and-fertility.htm
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Of course, yoga and relaxation, as well as other ways to slow down and relax the body and mind are immensely beneficial, but when I read this article, I thought to myself that without magnesium supplementation relaxation techniques will only have a limited effect.
Magnesium is possibly the most powerful natural relaxant which gets depleted when we are under stress. It takes part in numerous body processes – over 300 chemical reactions. It is essential in the production of the hormones related to fertility and normal sexual function.
Extreme or long-term chronic stress can lead to disturbances in the menstrual cycle, failing to ovulate, and infertility. The reason is that stress disturbs the production of the fertility hormones. Stress affects both male and female reproductive function, so it is important to address the problem of infertility from both sides.
Magnesium takes part in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and is also a vital component of ATP – the energy producing molecule. Without magnesium energy cannot be produced. Without energy normal sexual function becomes impossible.
From this we can conclude that in order to relax physically and mentally, replenish our energy reserves, keep our fertility at an optimum level and function at our best sexually, among other measures, we need to keep our levels of magnesium at an optimum level.
WAYS TO REPLENISH MAGNESIUM QUICKLY & KEEP IT HIGH:
Oral supplementation is probably the first one most of us will think of. However, not all of us can absorb oral magnesium efficiently, especially if the digestive system is clogged up with impurities, or is not very efficient – which is true of the majority of the world population over the age of 30. Even when it is healthy, much of magnesium we take orally passes through the body unabsorbed, and if we take too much then even less of it will be absorbed, since it is a laxative.
This makes transdermal magnesium supplementation a much more suitable option for most people. Transderamlly, magnesium gets into the cells – where it is most needed – very quickly.
The most popular ways to supplement magnesium transdermally is a bath, a spray, or a massage. Body spray and massage are most economical ways to do it. Just spray or massage the body with magnesium oil once a day after a bath or a shower. Leave it on for 1 hour, or even overnight if you can, and you should feel the relaxing and tension relieving effects of magnesium very soon.
Transdermally, magnesium can also be administered in baths, foot baths and compresses. For a bath I suggest using magnesium flakes as the more economical way to achieve the best concentration. Use about 500g of magnesium chloride flake in a bath, and 250g in a foot bath. Such procedures are most beneficial before bed time, since deep relaxation resulting from and increase of magnesium in the body will certainly promote sleep.
WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?
To book a MAGNESIUM WRAP IN LONDON please email info@medicina-uk.com.
WEIGHT LOSS & MAGNESIUM
Magnesium plays a crucial role in the production and storage of energy, by activating ATP (adenosine triphosphate) – the molecule which stores energy in the body.
This is what Dr Carolyn Dean, an authority on the subject of magnesium for health, says:
“Magnesium and B-complex vitamins are excellent examples of energy nutrients, because they activate enzymes that control digestion, absorption, and the utilisation of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Enzymes cannot be produced and nutrients cannot be utilised, which means that energy cannot be manufactured and stored in the body without magnesium.
Magnesium deficiency is closely associated with obesity and related conditions. Type 2 diabetes is one such condition which is on the rise both in the developed and developing world. It has been established that type 2 diabetes responds very well to magnesium supplementation.
Magnesium is needed for production and uitilisation of insulin by the cells. “Low magnesium, widely recognised as a marker for diabetes, occurs in up to 40% of diabetic patients. Lack of magnesium increases the risk of cardivascular disease, eye symptoms, and nerve damage in diabetics, whereas supplementation can prevent them. Most importantly for diabetics, magnesium is a necessary cofactor in the production of energy from sugar stores in the muscles and liver.” (The Miracle of Magnesium, Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D.).
Magnesium deficiency also creates cellular resistance to insulin, since insulin opens the cells to glucose only in the presence of sufficient magnesium, so the cell does not receive glucose, and cannot produce energy. The glucose in this case accumulates in the blood causing irrevocable damage to the body organs, blood vessels, nerves and other systems.
Since obesity is often interlinked with diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions, it is very important to ensure sufficient magnesium intake to address obesity and for management and prevention of diabetes.
Of course, magnesium alone will not solve the problem of obesity. A lot of factors, such as correct nutrition, exercise, psychological problems need to be addressed. However, if magnesium deficiency is not addressed all these measures may produce only a limited and short-lived result.
As well as eating traditionally magnesium-rich foods, magnesium needs to be supplemented both orally and transdermally in order to produce a visible impact. Spraying or rubbing magnesium chloride solution all over the body on a daily basis, taking magnesium baths or even foot baths can replenish magnesium levels quickly, with powerful results which can be evident even within a number of days.
One of the most powerful ways to administer magnesium is by using a far-infrared sauna and magnesium oil (Magnesium Wrap). It ensures that magnesium is absorbed by the body in the shortest possible time. It also promotes detoxification via profuse sweating, increase in the blood circulation and metabolism. The procedure was developed by G St George. Read more about Magnesium Wraps here.
WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?
To book a MAGNESIUM WRAP IN LONDON please email info@medicina-uk.com.
MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY IN SPORTS PEOPLE
Galina St George, www.naturalrussia.com
Magnesium plays a vital role in our lives. It is an irreplaceable component in the production of energy from ATP – the molecule which provides energy for all body processes and movements. If magnesium is depleted there is not enough of it for energy production which means that metabolic processes do not get sufficient energy, so general metabolism slows down resulting in energy slumps. Even though magnesium is the most powerful relaxant, without it the energy production is impossible. An increase in magnesium levels in the body results in an increase in general energy and performance.
Another important function of magnesium is connected with its interaction with calcium in the body. Calcium ensures muscle contraction, and excessive amount of calcium leads to muscle spasms, cramps, muscle tension, tightness in the joints. If calcium ensures contraction and strength of the muscle then the role of magnesium is to relax all body tissues, including muscles, nerves, the brain, heart, blood vessels, etc. Needless to say that insufficient magnesium results in all-round rigidity and stress. If there is too much calcium circulating in the body it binds with fat in the blood with the potential to form atheromas leading to narrowing of blood vessels, increase in the blood pressure and a danger of them breaking away and blocking the arteries. Lack of sufficient magnesium reduces elasticity of the blood vessels resulting in arteriosclerosis, which is also a contributing factor towards high blood pressure.
Athletes are especially prone to magnesium losses and resulting deficiency which can lead to a reduced performance, muscle rigidity, tetany, cramps, decreased endurance, general weakness, as well as an array of cardio-vascular problems such as an increase in blood pressure, arrhythmia and rigidity of the blood vessels.
While short high intensity exercise leads to an increase of magnesium levels (hypermagnesemia), due to a shift of magnesium from the cells into plasma as a result of acidosis and a general decrease of plasma levels, prolonged exercise leads to depletion of plasma magnesium (hypomagnesemia).
A few reasons for magnesium losses during prolonged sports activities have been suggested.
1. Lipolysis (fat metabolism). Fatty acids are mobilised for energy production during exercise which leads to magnesium deficiency.
2. General physical and psychological stress on all body systems during prolonged exercise.
3. Loss of magnesium through sweating – this normally happens in humid hot conditions.
4. Loss of magnesium in urine during intensive short-term exercise activities.
Magnesium losses are especially substantial during periods of training for sporting events.
“Several studies indicate that there is a sustained fall in plasma Mg concentration after strenuous exercise and that hypomagnesaemia either persists or worsens during a season of training 21,46,47,48, a sound reason for looking more carefully at the Mg intake of athletes. A recent longitudinal study of a group of medium-distance runners carried out over a training season also demonstrated plasma Mg reductions during the competition period, although there were no variations in erythrocyte Mg. Since both their energy intake and their work load remained more or less constant during the study, a relationship can be established between plasma Mg changes and the stress of the competition period 4″ (Y. Rayssiguier1, C. Y. Guezennec2, and J. Durlach3, New experimental and clinical data on the relationship between magnesium and sport, http://www.mgwater.com/dur18.shtml)
Magnesium deficiency may play a role in sudden death syndrome in sports people resulting from a cardiac arrest (heart attack). As we have established earlier, a fall in magnesium levels in sports people can lead to an increase in cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and rigidity of blood vessels which in turn results in an increase in blood pressure and may in some cases explain sudden death in atheltes.
All this brings us to a conclusion that it is extremely important to replenish magnesium levels in athletes, especially during prolonged sporting activities and competitions, to prevent a slump in energy levels, general fatigue, reduction in performance, muscle tension, aches and pains and speed up recovery.
How can magnesium levels be replenished?
1. Diet – magnesium-rich foods include whole grains, soya products, nuts and seeds, legumes, fruit and vegetables, milk, eggs, sea foods, etc.
2. Oral supplementation. Dr M. Seelig who is an internationally recognised expert in magnesium studies, recommends supplementation of 6-10mg per 1kg of body weight per day. There are a lot of good sources of oral magnesium, such as magnesium orotate, magnesium citrate, etc.
3. Intravenously – injections. A very effective method, but is used in clinics in cases of severe magnesium deficiencies where it is important to raise levels of magnesium quickly.
4. Transdermal supplementation - a quick, efficient and very practical way to replenish magnesium levels which can be used by everyone. A problem with oral supplementation is that large doses of magnesium can cause diarrhoea which leads to magnesium excretion from the body. Also, not everyone’s digestive system is efficient and can absorb sufficient doses of magnesium. Transdermal methods of supplementation (spraying or rubbing magnesium on the body, magnesium massage, bath, foot bath) on the other hand ensure that the digestive system is bypassed and magnesium gets into the body via the skin thanks to its very important function to absorb.
Transdermal supplementation can be achieved by applying magnesium oil on the body by hand (e.g. a massage), or using it in a bath or foot bath. While magnesium oil is great when used in a spray or applied by hand, for a bath or foot baths magnesium chloride flake is the most economical product. Zechstein magnesium flake is one of the best magnesium products around.
Magnesium oil applications:
- Apply by hand all over the body
- Magnesium oil is a great massage medium, and magnesium massage is one of the most luxurious and relaxing treatments.
- Spray on the body after a bath or a shower, before going to bed. You will need a spray bottle for this.
- Mix with hot water, use in a compress on a tight muscle or painful joint. Do not use heat on areas of acute inflammation and immediate injuries.
Magnesium flake applications
- Use 2 handfuls in a very warm foot bath.
- Use at least 300-500g of magnesium flake per bath. The more magnesium in the bath the more effective its absorption will be.
Note: Some people suffer from skin sensitivity, and magnesium baths (as well as other applications) can result in the skin becoming dry and itchy. In such cases adjust the strength of magnesium solution applied on the skin directly, and use a natural moisturiser to soften and hydrate the skin after a bath.
WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?
To book a MAGNESIUM MASSAGE IN LONDON please email info@medicina-uk.com.