About 60% of adults complain of leg cramps at night. It is possibly due to muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction resulting in severe pain during the cramp, residual pain after the cramp and even sleep disturbances.1 Magnesium oil is known to support various health functions including nerve and muscle health. It plays an important role in neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction and is believed to be useful in the treatment of related conditions.
Magnesium has been used in various ways for several health conditions. Let us look at the benefits, uses, and side effects of magnesium oil.
About Magnesium Oil
Magnesium supplementation is considered for magnesium deficiency and is also an important treatment option for leg cramps.
Studies have found that transdermal absorption of magnesium has better absorption and is more effective than oral intake. It also has fewer side effects as it does not pass through the gastrointestinal system.2 Hence, magnesium oil has gained much popularity in addition to other applications like sprays, flakes, and salt baths.
Benefits and Uses of Magnesium Oil
Magnesium is required for almost all body processes. Here are some of the benefits of magnesium oil.
- Magnesium is an essential mineral for many enzymes and is involved in many cellular functions including energy production, protein synthesis, transport of nutrients, and cell signaling.3
- It helps to prevent seizures in pregnant women and can also play a supportive role in preventing brain damage in premature infants.3
- Magnesium can promote peripheral nerve regeneration and can help regain muscle function after trauma.4
- Magnesium helps in better absorption of vitamin D and calcium and overall metabolism.
- It can help improve insulin sensitivity in people and can benefit people at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Some people are more prone to magnesium deficiency such as those experiencing digestive troubles, chronic alcoholism, and older people.3 The deficiency of magnesium can lead to several health problems like nerve problems, muscle pain, tingling in fingers and toes, increased risk of heart disorders, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.
Some of the known uses of magnesium oil include:
- One of the most popular uses of magnesium oil is that it can help relieve muscle pains and cramps. The application of magnesium oil can offer relief from neck or back pain, muscle twitching, foot pain, cramps in muscles or calf pain, and menstrual cramps.
- It can also help in reducing muscle pain in cases of injured muscles, fibromyalgia, or chronic muscle pain. A 2015 study concluded that the application of transdermal magnesium chloride on upper and lower limbs can be beneficial to people with fibromyalgia.5 It is characterized by fatigue, chronic pain, depression, and sleep disturbances and magnesium oil can offer great relief to these patients.
- As magnesium is beneficial for cellular functions it can help in improving neurological functions and relieve stress as well. Its deficiency can cause symptoms like headaches, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Hence, magnesium oil can also be useful in relieving stress, reducing anxiety and depression, improving mood, relieving headaches and migraines, and improving sleep.
- Magnesium can help in hair growth and it is one of the great uses of magnesium oil. Hair loss is one of the most dreaded conditions and magnesium deficiency can be a cause of that. But the regular application of magnesium oil can help provide the necessary nutrition, control hair loss and promote the growth of hair.
- Owing to its role in metabolism, magnesium oil is also considered useful in managing conditions like diabetes heart disorders, and hypertension. Magnesium oil can help improve health and can be used as an application to promote better functioning of muscles. Better conduction and stimulation of muscles promotes better functioning of the major organs thus improving overall health.
- It is also known to be useful in managing conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Side Effects of Magnesium Oil
Magnesium deficiency is often treated with oral magnesium supplementation. High doses or excess magnesium supplementation can cause nausea, loose motion, or abdominal cramping.
The application of magnesium oil is found to be beneficial in several conditions and it is used topically. As a topical application is usually considered safer as it does not enter through the digestive tract, which can help eliminate gastrointestinal side effects. However, it is not clear if magnesium oil application can show similar side effects as magnesium oral intake.
Magnesium oil is used topically over the skin, hence people who are sensitive to external applications should be careful about it. It is better to do a patch test by applying a small quantity of magnesium oil over a small area on the skin to note if there is any redness or itching. People who are allergic or intolerant to certain elements in the oil may show allergic reactions, redness, itching, or burning of the skin over which it is applied. It is advisable to seek the opinion of a medical expert about using magnesium oil for conditions that usually need medical intervention.
Conclusion
The uses and benefits of magnesium oil are many and the side effects are few. Some studies confirm the use of magnesium oil in offering relief for chronic pain, muscle cramps, and pain, and reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, more research needs to be done to confirm its use in other areas and its exact role in the prevention or management of other disorders.
