Dr. Norm Shealy, has tested magnesium oil using it transdermally against oral and intravenous applications. He emphasizes that through magnesium transdermal use, DHEA levels raise within a short period of time. Dr. Shealy also states that the best absorbed oral magnesium is magnesium taurate, but in his experience, it takes up to five years of taking oral magnesium to restore intracellular levels to normal range. But using magnesium oil transdermally, it restores the intracellar levels within four weeks.
Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate (magnesium oil) is easy to use and it is extremely absorbable. There is no known danger to using magnesium unless you have kidney failure.

Taking oral magnesium supplements everyday is like taking an antacid everday. The downside of taking magnesium supplements is that they are a very alkaline substance that can neutralize stomach acid, which can lead to malabsorption and other health problems.

Many things affect magnesium absorption from the gut no matter what form of oral supplement is used, and this seriously compromises oral administration in medical treatment. Most drugs will adversely affect how magnesium taken orally is absorbed or how quickly it will be excreted. When we think about the drugs used for children on the autism spectrum, we should be concerned about antipsychotics used for behavior control. Zyprexa, Risperdal, and others can cause hyperglycemia, which in turn causes increased excretion of magnesium taken orally.

Many drugs bind with magnesium diminishing its availability in the body. Two cans of soda per day (all of which contain phosphates) also bind up a lot of magnesium by preventing absorption of magnesium ions in the GI tract. Magnesium also binds with aspartame so drinking diet sodas is not an option.

The problem with oral magnesium is that all magnesium compounds are potentially laxative. And there is good evidence that magnesium absorption depends upon the mineral remaining in the intestine at least 12 hours. If intestinal transit time is less than 12 hours, magnesium absorption is impaired.

One of the major disadvantages of magnesium compositions that are currently available is that they do not control the release of magnesium, but instead immediately release magnesium in the stomach after they are ingested. These products are inefficient because they release magnesium in the upper gastrointestinal tract where it reacts with other substances such as calcium. These reactions reduce the absorption of magnesium.

Intravenous as well as transdermal administration of magnesium bypass processing by the liver. Both transdermal and intravenous therapy create "tissue saturation", the ability to get the nutrients where we want them, directly in the circulation, where they can reach body tissues at high doses, without loss. Intravenous administration is riskier; though as an emergency medicine it most certainly has its place.

It is well known that oral supplementation of magnesium in any significant quantities will cause massive and prolonged diarrhea and is very likely to cause serious kidney damage. These side effects are completely avoided when using magnesium chloride transdermally even with very large quantities and at high frequency rates.

Transdermal application of magnesium is far superior to oral supplements and is in reality the best practical way magnesium can be used as a medicine besides by direct injection. Used transdermally or intravenously we have a potent natural substance that penetrates the cells with stunning result on cell biochemistry. Healing, overall energy production (ATP), skin integrity, cardiac health, diabetes prevention, pain management, calming effect on the nervous system, sleep improvement, lowering of blood pressure are among the general uses magnesium chloride can be put to. The studies coming out every day provide more evidence of the need to supply adequate magnesium to people of all ages, and in a form that will be easily absorbed.

What a few can do with intravenous magnesium injections everyone can do with transdermal magnesium.

In summary, magnesium is a safe and simple intervention and should be the first thing doctors recommend to their patients. Transdermal mineral therapy with magnesium chloride is the most powerful, relatively safe medical intervention we have to care for many of our patients needs. With this simple application of magnesium on the skin or used in baths we can easily have our patients take up their magnesium to healthier levels. With patients who are deficient in magnesium (the great majority of patients are magnesium deficient) expect dramatic improvements in a broad range of conditions.

"Transdermal Magnesium Therapy" by Mark Sircus, O.M.D.

Magnesium chloride is an inexpensive alternative method to relinquish stress, inflammation and pain at the cellular level. It is also the mineral of choice for rejuvenation and cell energy production.

Epson salts on the other hand, are rapidly excreted through the kidneys and therefore difficult to assimilate. It is also more toxic and less absorbable and retainable in the body. Effects do not last long which means you need to add more to a bath to get similar results. It also works mainly as a laxative. Its effect, form and toxicity demands it be used in special applications where the sulfur is needed.

We do not recommend Epsom salts in the tub to increase magnesium levels since they are very alkaline and can adversly change the PH balance of the skin.

Other magnesium products are less advantageous because they lack the infection-fighting potential. Magnesium chloride crystals are made from seawater. Separately, both magnesium and chloride have important functions in keeping us healthy. Chloride combines with hydrogen in the stomach to make hydrochloric acid, a powerful digestive aid that declines in the body as we grow older. Using other forms of magnesium is less beneficial as these have to be converted into chlorides before they can be digested. For example, when we take magnesium in the oxide or carbonate form, we then have to produce additional hydrochloric acid to absorb it.

"Transdermal Magnesium Therapy" by Mark Sircus, O.M.D.