Why Does Magnesium Absorb Rapidly Into the Skin?
Topical magnesium is absorbed rapidly into the skin due to the unique properties of both the skin and the magnesium itself. The human skin, while serving as a barrier to protect the body from external elements, also acts as a semi-permeable membrane that allows certain substances to pass through it. Magnesium, when applied topically in forms such as oils, gels, or lotions, utilizes this pathway effectively due to its ionic nature which facilitates its absorption.
Magnesium ions have the ability to penetrate the skin through the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, thanks to the natural gradient that drives the movement of substances from areas of higher concentration (the topical magnesium product) to areas of lower concentration (the layers of the skin). This process is aided by the presence of moisture, either from the product itself or the skin's natural hydration, which dissolves magnesium ions and enhances their absorption.
Furthermore, the rapid absorption of topical magnesium can be attributed to its involvement in various physiological processes. Magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including those related to the synthesis of fatty acids and proteins, nerve transmission, and muscle relaxation. The skin, being the largest organ of the body, has its own set of enzymes that can readily utilize magnesium, thus facilitating its rapid uptake and utilization. This efficient absorption mechanism makes topical magnesium an attractive option for those looking to supplement their magnesium intake or target specific areas for muscle relaxation and relief.
References- Lukaski HC. Micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, and copper): are mineral supplements needed for athletes? Int J Sport Nutr. 1995;5 Suppl: S74–S83. - PubMed
- Newhouse IJ, Finstad EW. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Exercise Performance. Clin J Sport Med. 2000;10: 195–200. - PubMed
- Elin RJ. Assessment of magnesium status for diagnosis and therapy. Magnes Res. 2010;23: S194–S198. doi: 10.1684/mrh.2010.0213 - DOI - PubMed
- Cunha AR, Umbelino B, Correia ML, Neves MF. Magnesium and vascular changes in hypertension. Int J Hypertens. 2012;2012: 754250 doi: 10.1155/2012/754250 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
- Gröber U., Schmidt J., Kisters K. Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy. Nutrients. 2015;7:8199–8226. doi: 10.3390/nu7095388. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
- Jahnen-Dechent W., Ketteler M. Magnesium basics. Clin. Kidney J. 2012;5(Suppl. 1):i3–i14. doi: 10.1093/ndtplus/sfr163. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
- Von Ehrlich E., Barbagallo M., Classen H.G., Guerrero-Romero F., Morren F.C., Rodriguez-Moran M., Vierling W., Vormann J., Kisters K. The significance of magnesium in insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes—Recommendations of the Association of Magnesium Research e.V. Diabetologie. 2014;9:96–100. doi: 10.5414/TEX01473. - DOI
- Zhang X., Del Gobbo L.C., Hruby A., Rosanoff A., He K., Dai Q., Costello R.B., Zhang W., Song Y. The Circulating Concentration and 24 h Urine Excretion of Magnesium Dose- and Time-Dependently Respond to Oral Magnesium Supplementation in a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J. Nutr. 2016;146:595–602. doi: 10.3945/jn.115.223453. - DOI - PubMed
- Kass L., Weekes J., Carpenter L. Effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: A meta-analysis. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 2012;66:411–418. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2012.4. - DOI - PubMed