“The two greatest deficiencies of our time, vitamin D and magnesium, are linked, in part, to an incomplete understanding of the primordial functions of the skin.”
Am I deficient in magnesium? Is a daily diet, although varied, sufficient to ensure the magnesium intake necessary for the proper functioning of my body? Are some of my physical ailments actually related to a magnesium deficiency? You may have already asked yourself one or more of these questions in your lifetime without getting a satisfactory answer.
Our ancestors, who had a richer soil, rich in vitamins and minerals, none the less sought to supplement their magnesium intake by using the absorption functions of their skin through different methods: thermal cures, Roman spas, immersion Greek baths, thalassotherapy and many other practices varying with the different regional mineral peculiarities (Magnesia, Greece — Bath, England — Spa, Belgium etc.)
Science is just beginning to re-examine this ancestral wisdom, which contributed to a stable, healthy body and the stamina needed for labor intensive working or military conditions. Science is now establishing a link between these practices, too often neglected today, and the increase in magnesium deficiencies in our modern societies. The purpose of this booklet is to clarify the causes of magnesium deficiency and to inform you about a natural alternative that is not aggressive for the body. This historical method can help to improve this deficiency, recently considered as the «deficiency of the century». Modern translation : an application of high quality, unrefined, 100% natural topical Magnesium in healthy glass. This daily application is in alignment with our traditions and allows the absorption of this mineral without exhausting the kidneys via the mystery of increased surface area of the skin over oral methods. This is a possible solution to many physical ailments suffered by current sedentary populations. Knowledge is power, if put to use!
Before getting to the heart of the matter, you will find below a list of questions, each checked box being able to signal a magnesium deficiency. This deficiency touches on average 75 to 90% (depending on age) of the world population.
- Do you suffer from unexplained fatigue during the day?
- Do you often feel stressed and anxious for no particular reason?
- Do you have depressive feelings, even mild?
- Have you noticed any difficulties with concentration and anchoring?
- Do you have difficulty falling asleep? Do you wake up often at night?
- Do you regularly suffer from cramps?
- Do you have intestinal transit problems? Are your intestines «lazy»?
- Do you have eyelid spasms or restless legs ?
- Do you have difficulty with (slow) wound healing?
- Do you occasionally have heart palpitations or a knot in the throat?
- Is your hair fragile and breaking?
- Do you suffer from metabolic problems?
- Do you eat a daily diet rich in refined starchy foods and sugars (pasta, bread, rice, sweets, sodas, etc.)?
- Is it difficult for you to do without stimulants such as coffee (caffeine), tea (theine), chocolate (theobromine) or other enriched drinks or sodas during the day?
- Are you taking the pill?
- Do you suffer from muscular or joint pains related to regular or intensive sports practice?
- Are you more than 30 years old (magnesium deficiency increases after 30 years)?
- Are you taking blood pressure medication?
- Are you diabetic, spasmophilic, or do you suffer from moments of tiredness related to hypoglycemic, blood sugar spiking?
Magnesium deficiency – the need for a return to nature and a deeper understanding of the skin’s role in health.
Over the last 300 years, there has been a significant increase in the practice of sea bathing in European populations. Is the cause of this phenomenon, in part, to be found in the abandonment of our traditions? Our European ancestors, mainly the Greek and Roman civilizations, inventors of thermal cures and natural spas, had certainly already understood in their own practical ways the importance of the skin in the process of absorption of magnesium. Numerous scientific studies confirm today that the skin is an organ capable of absorbing and storing vitamins and minerals. Research on «patches» and the spread of drug treatments through the dermal system is also moving in this direction. If the skin has the ability to store magnesium for several months or years via the bone, then our ancestors certainly found an effective way to recharge themselves with minerals annually through all their bathing practices. One of our clients told us an interesting anecdote from history stating that Roman soldiers even used the waters of Magnesia, in Greece, where in certain places the minerals concentrated in small rock streams. This “water of Magnesia” was used in the spa, on the skin for pains, cramps and stamina. The Greeks used dolomite mortar to create the heated baths. This dolomite contains up to 50% magnesium. They even cleaned the water supply of heavy metals with bittern (mag. chloride) and on top of all that the water was already rich in magnesium!
A direct connection can be made today between the refining of our food products, the significant increase of sugar in our daily diet and the need for modern populations to bathe for therapeutic purposes. It has been demonstrated that sugar “steals” magnesium reserves in the body, as well as many other mineral co-factors. The refining of foodstuffs that make up our modern diet has been a great accelerator of magnesium deficiency. From Napoleon to the travelling foods of colonialism and war, the refining of flour, sugar, butter (margarine), salt, even the refinement of yeast to make breads, we have changed significantly man’s diet for the worse.
In 1936, a U. S. Senate report in the United States of America already alerted the American people to the increasing mineral impo-verishment of the soil and its alarming impact on the quality of food from these depleted soils, especially concerning the magnesium content. (source 1).
Unfortunately, the situation has worsened since that time, and most western nations including France (the greatest agricultural producer in Europe) are significantly affected by this deficiency with regard to the soil. A study on the vitamin and mineral composition of regional foods (source 2), comparing mid-century data with current figures, shows a decrease in magnesium of 30-80 % directly related to deficient soils. For example, it has been proven that Italian parmesan cheese contains 80% less magnesium today than it did in the 1940’s! An invisible and pervasive problem.
This impoverishment of the soil in minerals and our current lifestyles has led to an ever-increasing deficiency of magnesium in our modern populations. In fact, the French study SU.VI.MAX, conducted with the help of 100,000 participants, collected the following data: 75% of men and 77% of women are below the recommended nutritional intake of magnesium.
The rate jumps to near 90-95% after 30 years of age. You may be saying that you blood test is fine. Standard blood serum tests can be a false comfort as 99% of magnesium is not stored in the blood. This is far from health and abundance. A more in-depth analysis of the magnesium content in the hemoglobin itself exists, but will that reveal decades of low exposure causing structural tightening, inflammation and micro-hypoxia in the bones, nerves and organs? The entire structure must be transformed over the years. The deficiency took 200 years to get this structurally / genetically deep. We must not be naive.
Numerous French researchers such as Delbet, Theil, Neveu and the scientist M. L. Robinet have now been recognized as pioneers in the field of magnesium, and their research has helped to raise awareness of the importance of this essential mineral. Research on this subject is growing exponentially. There are currently more than 800 studies on magnesium available on MEDLINE. Magnesium is involved in 750 enzymatic and hormonal processes in the human body.
A study by M. L. Robinet (see maps on the following page) shows a close correlation between the presence of magnesium in the soil and the rates of cancer, per region. His research shows that the cancer rate maps and the soil deficiency maps superimpose themselves strikingly. This study was done in the 1930’s, a time in France where local foods were much more prevalent than today. The map shows that the cancer rate is indeed significantly higher in the north of the country, with a similarly high rate in the center of the territory, where the magnesium soil concentration is low. The correlation with the presence of magnesium in the soil and the rate of cancers are more difficult to establish in our times since the consumption of local products, and to a lesser extent, local drinking water is becoming less systematic. However, the observation of this data remains interesting to examine.
Magnesium deficiency is real, affecting the nervous system directly, so make the right choice for an effective strategy to improve your magnesium levels. Inefficient delivery systems may tax the body and may even be dangerous for long term health.
Unfortunately, the most popular reflex for magnesium deficiency for decades was the absorption of standard magnesium carbonate tablets, whose effectiveness is quite limited: about 4% total assimilation of the stated “35Omg” by the body (source 3).
Remember its not how many milligrams of magnesium written on the box which counts but how much the body can extract and use. And this ability to extract is hindered by age and less than optimal digestion. Oral tablets are laxative for many, and this is not a healthy laxative effect but a violent flushing of the kidneys in efforts to remove and release the intruder. This over-works and stresses the kidneys’ natural functions.
Renal fatigue, widespread yet under-reported, is often masked by stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, etc. It is therefore important to take care not to damage this key organ by taking a treatment that remains effective and allows for filtration by the largest organ of the body: the skin. One cant prove everything with logic alone, intuitive experience is essential. Our clients tell us that they can feel the difference. Recent studies show that magnesium, which is like a metallic salt, needs to be in contact with the body tissues at least 24 hours before it can be softened and absorbed by the body (source 4). The transit time of the mineral being much faster when taken orally, since it is quickly passed through after digestion, the skin becomes a privileged ally because it has the potential to store magnesium chloride for days and weeks or possibly even months.
The blood contains only 1% of our body’s magnesium content. The rest being contained in the muscle tissues, bones, teeth and intercellular tissues. The skin has excellent storage and redistribution capacities. A primordial technology without comparison!
PURITY is the key
Following the recent discovery of the Zechstein Sea and scientific studies on dermal treatments, we see the emergence of the other important determining factor to overcome magnesium deficiency in an optimal way: the purity of the source.
The purity of the source of the magnesium:
It is essential to know the level of purity and origin of magnesium before starting a cure, an application. The European Community and the United States already tolerate high levels of heavy metals in the foodstuffs and food supplements that we consume on a daily basis, due to the already high levels of heavy metals in our seas, which today contain three times more heavy metals than before the 1900’s (source 5).
On the other hand, a source of pure magnesium can be used to detoxify heavy metals (mercury, aluminum, etc.) already ingested or stored in the body (source 3). According to a study conducted by the «European Journal of Nutraceutical Research» in the UK, 78% of the subjects were found to be increasingly detoxifying heavy metals after 12 weeks of hair analysis after 12 weeks of treatment (12 pumps per day) of transdermal (topical) magnesium Zechstein Insider. The examination of the hair proves to be interesting in terms of mineral analysis, as its findings are reflected throughout the body.
The Zechstein Sea offers the purest certified source of pure magnesium on Earth known to date. Located in the Netherlands, 2 km underground and 250 million years old. The soure is far removed from all atmospheric pollution or radiation.
The extraction process is controlled in batches (per lot) to ensure impeccable quality. This source is a true historical discovery in the heart of Europe. It’s not just a product but has a unique story. The “Zechstein Insider” certification is essential because many claim “Genuine” or “Authentic” Zechstein using chemically purified, low quality products with self-created, off-site certification schemes. Such as highly contaminated and therefore processed Asian, Dead Sea carnalite and salt lake minerals. Zechstein Insider certified products are superior products because they have never been chemically purified. We let nature do that over 250 million years !
Our unique extraction
Our extraction only uses spring water, which is also certified for purity standards, to dissolve the magnesium salt layers. Total transparency. Anyone may call the source in the Netherlands to verify the origin and purity. This, in and of itself, is a rarity in the magnesium market and goes beyond certification, as it is much easier to get an off site lab from anywhere to analyze a sample from who knows where and print a sheet of paper than it is to talk to the engineers at the European source directly. No need to separate the magnesium from other minerals or contaminants, as is the industry wide standard practice, because the rock strata is naturally pure magnesium. The scientific name of pure magnesium chloride in the natural state, i.e., in stratum form is bischofite. The higher the bischofite quantity (its concentration of pure magnesium chloride), the greater the purity of the magnesium oil. Cheap magnesium oil is not difficult to recreate or “upgrade” by chemical processes using industrial potassium mining “derivative magnesium”, but in Holland it is found in the pure state as nature intended where the Zechstein Sea is found. The marketing “Zechstein” can be used to falsely advertise as this word can not be protected by law, but the “Zechstein Inside°” logo is a sure bet as far as its origin and extraction is concerned. Layers and layers of abundant stratum “salt pillows”, resulting from a natural purification within the earth. When the source is pure no transformation is needed (see the extraction chart for more details on the next page).
Always verify the Source!
“Natural and Pure” marketing or even the word “Zechstein” is not a guarantee without the Zechstein Inside° logo. 80% of magnesium is imported from Asia, where it is chemically purified and refined for export as magnesium oil, not to mention difficult working conditions. Even companies that source their products from the open sea or salt lakes must chemically “upgrade” them to clean out heavy metals and contaminants. These products are often less expensive and are sold in plastic bottles. Our unique pure magnesium chloride layers from the crystallised Zechstein Sea underneath the Netherlands are without comparison. We are the only topical magnesium to be studied for the elimination of heavy metals in the human body. Purity and raw natural state products are the keys to heavy metal detox
Why is it important to use
«Zechstein Inside®» Topical Magnesium?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the skin absorb magnesium chloride?
The skin is an organic tissue capable of absorbing, storing and redistributing vitamins (such as vitamin D) and minerals (such as magnesium chloride). From the wisdom of our ancestors stem the traditions of thalassotherapy, thermal cures, immersion bathing and spas as we know them today. Without an understanding of the essential functions of the skin, we ignore an important layer of intelligence within our organism. A study carried out in England (source 3) detected a 59.7% increase in mineral absorption of 89% of subjects after 3 months of transdermal application of magnesium oil.
What is the texture of maximum concentration magnesium oil?
Topical magnesium in its natural state has a slightly viscous texture (comparable to that of the Dead Sea), odorless and lipid-free. It dries and penetrates into the skin in approximately 5 – 8 minutes. For an optimal effectiveness, it is recommended to leave topical magnesium on the skin for at least 20 minutes before rinsing. Rinsing is not obligatory.
What dosage should be applied?
A «progressive» application is the only rule to follow. To begin with, you can apply a small amount every evening on the abdomen. Afterward, you will be able to spread it over other parts of the body gradually. As a general rule, it is recommended to have at least 4 months of treatment per year. Many high level athletes apply all year round to improve their physical performance, avoid strains and cramps, and increase stamina. Children from 3 years of age and pregnant women can apply the oil on the lower legs, diluted with 50% spring water. After an intensive cure of one year, you will be able to use topical magnesium much less frequently but still regularly.
Why does it tingle when applied on certain people ?
The tingling sensation indicates a magnesium deficiency on the surface, but the absence of tingling is not necessarily a sign that you are not deficient. For problematic skin (rashes, sensitive skin, etc.) it is preferable to test with the pure product. If the tingling sensation is too strong, you can dilute the solution with spring water for a softer application or apply on wet skin only. Subsequently, you can increase the concentration until the application of the pure product is easier. Be aware that a sensitive area can also be supplied with magnesium by an application to another body area. For example, a localized skin problem on the legs can be affected with a daily application over the abdomen.
What is the difference between Topical Magnesium“Zechstein Inside®” and other magnesiums on the market ?
The difference is of great importance (see our chart “Why is it important to know the origin of magnesium? ” and our schema “The Truth About Magnesium Extraction” : go to our HOMEPAGE to read further). 80% of the world’s magnesium comes from Asia, mostly from the gaidam industrial basin in China, which is located on the “ginghai- Tibet”plateau, where asbestos and gas are also extracted. Low quality magnesium oils, which are heavily processed derivatives from potassium mining, are “upgraded” and chemically cleaned to be sold around the world. Then comes the marketing and certificates to cover up the origin, methods of extraction and the purity of the product. Some even use the word “Zechstein” which cannot be legally protected as it is associated with a geological epoch and is often used to cover up the true origin of the product. Words such as “Genuine” or “Authentic” without the “Zechstein Inside®” logo may be using the word Zechstein abusively. Especially considering that “Zechstein Inside®” is the one and only batch controlled, on site certification source in the Netherlands. Here are some questions to ask:
1) If you can call their actual source (extraction site/city).
2) If they chemically extract, refine or transform their products.
3) Ask for this information in writing.
Is Topical magnesium spray diluted with water after extraction?
No. Natural spring water is sent underground in a steel tube where it blends with the petrified crystal sea, dissolving the salts into brine. The mixture is then recovered at the surface. Its dilution is naturally 31% magnesium chloride which means 100% brine. We guarantee maximum concentration. This brine is then bottled without any additives, with the exception of the «Sensitive Skin» version intended for reactive skins, which is diluted with filtered spring water. The extraction is done ecologically and the local and deep spring water used in the surrounding area is then replaced by the Zechstein Minerals company.
What are the differences between Topical Magnesium and magnesium chloride flakes?
To create the flakes, magnesium oil is heated to 320° which creates hydrochloric acid, and may hinder the detoxification process at the molecular level. We have no studies to confirm this as of yet. The flakes can be good for bath situations. However the oil in its raw state will always be the first, molecularly untransformed, choice.
How to use Transdermal Magnesium?
• Our personal favorite : apply 10-20 pumps 20 minutes before showering, then rinse off the surplus in the shower (without using soap on the area of application). You may also apply to the head while in the bath, or the upper body. Always allow 20 minutes for the magnesium to absorb before rinsing off. Rinsing is not obligatory.
• Every morning: apply a small amount of Transdermal Magnesium (10 pumps) on your calves. Allow it to penetrate and dry 10 minutes before dressing.
• Every night: massage the abdomen with a small amount of Transdermal Magnesium (5-10 pumps) on moist or dry skin.
• Before or after sports activity: apply locally to the desired zone and massage well until absorption (for cramps, strains, performance, etc.).
• As mouthwash: use pure (only occasionally) for pain, cavities, root canals or diluted in 80% spring water for frequent use. Keep in the mouth for 1-20 minutes depending on needs, for gums and to maintain dental hygiene.
• To relieve sore throat : dilute and gargle for 5 minutes, then massage with 10 pumps on the throat and chest with saro essential oil. Take daily teaspoons of unfiltered olive oil.
• If fever blisters appear (apply during pre-manifestation only): apply an organic cotton pad soaked for one hour on the area.
• In case of acne or wound healing: apply a soaked cotton pad to the area to be treated. Avoid direct contact with acne pimples, apply only to the surrounding area. For wounds dilute with 80% water.
• To calm headaches: apply 2-10 pumps to the temples and shoulders with mint essential oil. Never use mint near the eyes.
• To reduce dermatosis: apply H.O.T. topical magnesium mixed with shea butter locally.
• For hair care: massage 5-10 or more pumps on the scalp.
• For ear pains: we cannot advise here, but some clients dilute in a small amount of clean spring water (water will be slightly bitter to taste) before pouring some drops into the ear. Magnesium is antibacterial.
• For colds: we cannot advise here, but some clients add 1-3 spray pumps to a glass of fresh juice, water or soup.
What are the advantages of Heart of Tradition’s Topical Magnesium ?
Already used by many sports doctors, dermatologists, massage therapists and dentists in Canada, Great Britain, and the USA, our Heart of Tradition Topical Magnesium is effective. Magnesium deficiency affects many areas and replenishing cellular magnesium will allow for optimum health such as :
• Calm cramps, pain, inflammation, and tendonitis
• Stimulate local blood circulation
• To relieve muscular pains related to sports practices
• To reduce cellulite
(continued) Magnesium, the mineral, has studies which demonstrate that optimisation of Mg may:
• Improve skin problems: dermatosis, acne, etc.
• Helps with the fixation of calcium
• Accelerate wound healing
• May relieve fatigue
• Helping to recover a better quality of sleep
• Calming the nervous system
• Increase concentration and memory capacity
• Hair and facial care
• Dental hygiene in mouthwashes
• Relieve periodontal pain
• Relieve the winter related sore throat and chest.
• Reduce muscular tension through massages
• May relieve painful periods, PMS
• May relieve headaches
• To facilitate the detoxification of toxins
• Is an important factor in both male and female fertility
• Contributes to the improvement of the cardiac system (the heart muscle contains the highest concentration of magnesium in the body) (source 4).
Why choose glass packaging instead of plastic?
Glass is the best option to avoid phthalates from plastics (bisphenol-A and bisphenol-S added to PVC, DEHP, etc.) that are known endocrine disruptors. A summary of the findings of studies conducted and published in Canada in 2011 (source 6) confirms their harmful effects on humans.
There is a high probability of the following adverse effects associated with phthalate absorption, even at low doses:
• Toxic to the brain and nervous system
• Appearance of cancer
• Male fertility problems
• Alteration in the functioning of the thyroid
• Insulin resistance development
• Decreased urogenital distance in newborns
• Promotes weight gain at the abdominal level
• Favors the appearance of allergic rhinitis and asthma
• Reduced mobility of sperm cells
• Toxic to the respiratory system
• DNA mutagenic effect
• An early appearance of puberty in young girls
• Increases the risk of premature births
According to Professor Daniel F. Schmidt, a plastic engineer at the University of Massachusetts, we have insufficient perspective regarding current research on alternatives to phthalates. He states “in 20 years’ time there will probably be the same controversy about alternatives to phthalates as there has been in this decade concerning bisphenol and other endocrine disrupting compounds. Even if some other types of plastics «tolerated» by the EU or the USA do exist and are now in usage, the problem is not yet solved, to say the least.” The only way to be sure is to use glass bottles, this limits the cumulative effects of soft aspect plastic containers. Hard plastics are less of a problem. Our capsules and tubes are BPA, DEHP, PVC and phtalate free. We only recommend noble glass bottles for transdermal applications.
The reason is because these plastics absorb into the product and cannot be filtered or removed. Green plastics contain even more plasticizers due to their lack of structure and should be strictly avoided too.
The last important point concerning the use of glass containers is its ecological aspect: this material is 100% recyclable. In addition, the bottle can be reused infinitely without contaminating the products, whether they are of a food or cosmetic nature (oils, tincture, supplements, etc.). The aesthetic aspect of beautiful blue glass reveals its inner quality and commitment to an excellent end product!
See our video on this topic here: Man and the Sea – A Guide for Understanding and Resolving the Widespread Structural Magnesium Deficiency through Transdermal Magnesium Spray Therapy
