Are magnesium tablets just as effective as magnesium spray?

[AnneEvo]

I'm asking because the spray I'm using; Better You, Magnesium Oil; itches my skin in places.

TIA

[humanbean]

Itching and tingling happens to lots of people with magnesium sprays and magnesium oils.

Allegedly the problem only occurs in people who are deficient in magnesium. Once your magnesium levels improve the itching and tingling should reduce or stop.

I got fed up of the sensation though and started taking tablets, then moved on to powders which I can dissolve in water and drink. I much prefer this way of taking magnesium to spraying it on.

[AnneEvo in reply to humanbean]

Thanks for that. What do the powders taste like? Because I initially tried the spray under my tongue and it tasted vile.

[humanbean in reply to AnneEvo]

Ooh, I wouldn't use magnesium spray internally. I'm sure it isn't intended to be used that way.

The powder I use is called Natural Calm and is easily sourced on Amazon. It comes in various flavours, although I have only ever bought the unflavoured variety. I don't find the taste nice but I don't find it awful either - it's definitely not vile. The Natural Calm powder is made of magnesium citrate which acts as a mild laxative. If that is not something you need or want then some other form of supplement would be better for you.

There are a lot of forms of magnesium supplement. Google for

"best and worst forms of magnesium supplement"

and choose one that suits your requirements. Check a few links - they don't all agree about which is best and worst, so you should check a few and decide which one(s) you believe.

[AnneEvo in reply to humanbean]

I thought I'd read that you could put it under your tongue 😟 must've got mixed up with something else.

[Ziburu]

Oh I’ve got a couple of those. There’s a night time one with herbs that smells nice. But I have the itchy problem too.

Can use it on my feet then it’s ok but the instructions say to spray different bits of you don’t they? And it’s a huge amount of sprays - something like 10?

I liked the idea of the spray, as trans dermal application gets absorbed more efficiently, because it avoids your stomach.

I’ve also used their bath crystals, nice and no effort.

But I’m not sure about controlling the dosage with that method and can’t spare the time to sit in the bath everyday.

For such an important deficiency (magnesium is required by every cell in your body to function properly) and not having it causes serious health issues, doctors are not bothered about it much are they.

Most doctors are so clueless - to the signs, to know how to treat it or know the serious consequences of not treating it. Oh but wait a minute, the majority are clueless with ...EVERYTHING

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I also use the Natural Calm powder and as HB says it comes in flavoured or non-flavoured (Original) varieties. I don't buy the flavoured as goodness knows what is used to make the flavour, also they contain a sweetener. The Original contains nothing but the magnesium citrate powder so no "extras" that might cause problems.

I dissolve the powder in a little warm water as per instructions, then add some orange juice, makes a pleasant tasting drink. I did try a different brand but abandoned it, the Natural Calm is much nicer.

I buy mine from Amazon but keep an eye on price as it does vary.

[Hidden]

I am unable to take any form of magnesium except via skin application from sea salts and have no reactions.

[Tina_Maria]

I have just looked into this myself. It appears that transdermal application of Magnesium is not proven to be as effective as taking it orally. I found an article explaining this in more detail:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

The skin has a lipid barrier and lipophilic substances are more likely to be crossing the skin barrier - unfortunately Magnesium salts are water soluble.

[AnneEvo]

Thank you for all the replies. I may try the powders and if I can't stand the taste I'll do what SeasideSusie does - add it to orange juice. It seems to me that the powdered form would be absorbed more quickly than the tablet form.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to AnneEvo]

Dissolve it first in a little warm water, let it fizz, then add the OJ (or any other juice you like). You only need it to be a small drink, not a half pint glass or anything. Start with a small amount and build up gradually, obviously if it gives you diarrhoea you need to drop back a bit.

[AnneEvo in reply to SeasideSusie]

I may need that help. My stools have been very loose for more than a year; not actual diarrhoea though; 2 days on 50mcg Levo and they are firm. Worried I may end up constipated. (Previously had 25mcg Levo last year. Then after private consultation had NDT. Wanted to try Levo again. I don't feel ill so didn't carry on with Levo the first time. Not that the doctor had asked me to come back!)

[Fruitandnutcase]

You could give rub on Better You gel a try. I’ve got the gel, it’s 100% magnesium - I don’t love it though, I find it very sticky and I felt it was a bit tingly. I also bought a tub of Better You body cream which is only 75% magnesium. You have to rub firmly to spread it about and rub it in - but it doesn’t tingle at all.

My favourite is a bath with magnesium flakes. I got some really nice Mg dissolving tablets that you put in water and they fizz up and make a fizzy lemon drink - Voost Mg - I used to get them in Tesco or Waitrose but neither place seems to stock them now.

I’m pretty sure the Better You spray is not for internal use - I imagine it would taste foul.