Magnesium Oil for Arthritis: Can It Soothe Joint Pain, Rheumatism?

Magnesium is a highly important mineral involved in well over 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

Although increasingly appreciated for its role in the production of ATP, and therefore its effect on energy levels, the specific benefits of magnesium for arthritis (and pain management more generally) have only recently come to light.

If you already suffer with arthritis, or are at risk of the inflammatory disease, read on to learn how magnesium oil could help.

Along with calcium, magnesium is critical for good bone and muscle health. As such, its potential for assisting with arthritis – an inflammatory condition typified by pain and swelling in the joints – is comparatively easy to understand.

In fact, according to a 2015 research paper published in the Journal of Rheumatology, magnesium helps the calcium you digest actually get to your bones – specifically by restricting a glandular hormone which diverts it away from bones and into muscle.

As a side note, vitamin D is also integral to the process of calcium absorption.

It is widely believed that low-grade systemic inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of arthritis, of which there are over 100 different forms.

Magnesium, of course, is a noted anti-inflammatory, with a higher mg intake consistently correlating with lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Indeed, several animal and human studies have underlined mechanisms by which magnesium deficiency can actually induce increased inflammation. Specifically by increasing the production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in osteoarthritis.

The impact of this valuable micronutrient on key inflammation mediators is undoubtedly a major part of the reason why it is beneficial for those already battling, or vulnerable to, arthritis.

That said, magnesium’s role as a potent antioxidant and detoxifier may also be relevant. It’s even known as one of the best natural alternatives for pain relief.

While there is no known cure of arthritis, forms of treatment which reduce the associated excruciating pain, improve mobility and limit further joint damage should be explored.

As we hope to demonstrate, magnesium is a form which should be considered.

There are countless reports of individuals who have used magnesium – usually in the form of magnesium lotion or oil, though sometimes in combination with supplements – for pain relief from arthritic conditions.

While it’s difficult to verify these testimonies, it is no so difficult to imagine the effect magnesium has on inflammation mediators governing the disease itself. After all, we have the clinical data to which we can refer.

Magnesium expert Carolyn Dean, MD, has published a lengthy testimonial from a client on her website; it’s well worth a look but not unique in terms of content: many people report that magnesium oil has helped alleviate their arthritis symptoms, whether the pain is concentrated in knees, muscles or joints.

If you wish to tumble down the rabbit hole, YouTube features a broad selection of magnesium oil testimonies.

According to a cross-sectional study from 2015, “magnesium intake is inversely associated with radiographic knee osteoarthritis and joint space narrowing. It supports potential role of magnesium in the prevention of knee osteoarthritis.”

A more recent study from 2017, meanwhile, looked at the relationship between magnesium intake and knee chondrocalcinosis, a joint disease believed to simulate osteoarthritis. Again, researchers found that magnesium deficiency set the stage for the disease.

“Subjects with lower levels of serum magnesium, even within the normal range, had higher prevalence of knee chondrocalcinosis in a dose-response relationship manner, suggesting that magnesium may have a preventive or therapeutic potential for knee chondrocalcinosis.”

The potential of magnesium for arthritis is not something in the realm of ‘alternative health.’

The Arthritis Foundation, which works alongside healthcare providers to strengthen education and interactive offerings, explain on their website that “many studies, including the Framingham Heart Study, have found that eating foods high in magnesium and potassium increases bone density and may help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.”

An ever-growing number of studies demonstrate the superior absorptive capacity of transdermal magnesium as compared to oral supplements. This includes studies conducted on both sides of the Atlantic.

That said, most magnesium experts and naturopathic doctors/nutritionists recommend combining oral methods of administration with regular transdermal application.

Of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. If you’re suffering from arthritis-related pain and discomfort, give magnesium a try and monitor the effects.

Our Revitacell Magnesium Oil is a great choice of supplement, providing highly pure magnesium chloride ecologically extracted from the northern flank of the Himalayas.

Himalayan magnesium is the only magnesium chloride in the world to have achieved EcoCert/COSMOS Natural Cosmetic certification, ensuring the highest possible quality for topical applications.

With our 100% pure, unrefined magnesium oil, you can rapidly increase your intracellular levels of magnesium to address arthritis symptoms. Simply spray on an area of discomfort seven times and massage into the skin.

Each seven-spray serving provides 105mg of Himalayan magnesium, and the recommended daily dose is 10-20 sprays per day as required.

If you want to combine pure, unrefined magnesium with MSM, meanwhile, we have a formula that can help. Himalayan Magnesium Serum + MSM contains the same premium-grade magnesium chloride as our oil, but is enriched with organic sulfur from OptiMSM®, the world’s purest methylsulfonylmethane.

Known as an effective muscle and joint pain relief agent, MSM has also been touted for promoting smooth, soft skin and – just like magnesium – soothing arthritis symptoms.

According to WebMD, other uses of MSM include for “chronic pain, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, osteoporosis, tendinitis, swelling around the tendons (tenosynovitis), musculoskeletal pain and muscle cramps.”

Of course, magnesium oil is not the only natural product which may be useful for arthritis.

Supplementation with fish oil can be beneficial for some people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to the mild anti-inflammatory effects of Essential Fatty Acids.

Like magnesium, omega-3 appears to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Studies show that positive effects can include reduced joint pain intensity and stiffness, though supplementation should continue for a period of at least 3 months to exert maximal effects.

Lastly, EPA has shown to be more beneficial than DHA in rheumatoid arthritis patients, with beneficial effects coming from fish oil with an EPA/DHA ratio of 1.5.

A UK study published late last year suggested that vitamin D might be employed to suppress the kind of inflammation which leads to rheumatoid arthritis.

While the researchers concluded that an adequate intake of the anti-inflammatory vitamin could be vital for preventing RA in the first place, they conceded that it was much less effective once the disease was already established.

Dr Louisa Jeffrey, who co-wrote the report, explained “For patients who already have rheumatoid arthritis…much higher doses of vitamin D may be needed.”

While the ideal dosages are still being investigated, you might consider supplementing with UnoCardio 1000, which combines EPA and DHA fish oil with vitamin D3. A single softgel supplies 1280mg total omega-3, including 675mg EPA and 460mg DHA, as well as 1,000 IU of vitamin D.

UnoCardio has been rated #1 for quality by independent supplement aggregator Labdoor since 2015.

Several studies have emphasised the ability of curcumin (turmeric’s primary active ingredient) to counteract inflammation via multiple pathways, including by regulating transcription factors and redox status and blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes linked to inflammation.

While you should avoid high doses of turmeric if you take blood thinning medication such as Warfarin, a daily supplemental dosage of 1,000mg has been suggested for patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Look for supplements with BioPerine black pepper extract, the inclusion of which further enhances bioavailability.

Does magnesium oil represent a potential pain management solution for arthritis? Absolutely.

While we cannot confidently state that it will work for every single sufferer (just as pharmaceutical companies cannot do the same for most drugs), it represents a novel natural therapy.

If you give magnesium oil a try, we’d love to hear from you. If you choose to use our product, please leave a review noting your impressions; if you use a competitor product, we’d still love to hear about your experience.

Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.