It’s no doubt that in our journey of wellness at Terapung, magnesium sulfate takes the center stage with its therapeutic powers. One magnesium bath on itself is great but when done consistently, it unravels even more profound effects. A study conducted by the University of Birmingham showed that soaking in Epsom salts for 12 minutes daily for 7 days increased blood magnesium concentrations and urinary magnesium levels which have several benefits, such as:
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved nerve & muscle function
- Regulated blood pressure
- Supported immune system
The study recruited 19 healthy subjects between the ages of 24 - 64 years, taking baths in temperatures of 50-55℃ and stayed in the bath for 12 minutes. Varying amounts of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) were added to the bath before entry and ensured that the salts were completely in solution.
Measurement on magnesium levels in blood:
|
Before |
104.68 ± 20.76 ppm/ml |
|
After first bath |
114.08 ± 25.83 ppm/ml |
|
After 7 continuous days |
140.98 ± 17.00 ppm/ml |
Prolonged soaking in Epsom salts, therefore, increases blood magnesium concentrations. However, of 19 subjects, all except 3 showed a rise in magnesium concentrations in plasma.
Measurement on magnesium levels in urine:
|
Before |
94.81 ± 44.26 ppm/ml |
|
After first bath |
198.93 ± 97.52 ppm/ml |
Those individuals where the blood magnesium levels were not increased had correspondingly large increases in urinary magnesium showing that the magnesium ions had crossed the skin barrier and had been excreted via the kidney, presumably because the blood levels were already optimal.
Generally, urinary magnesium levels 24h after the first bath fell from the initial values found after day 1 (mean 118. 43 ± 51.95) suggesting some retention of magnesium in tissues after bathing as blood levels were still high. Sulfate levels also increased in plasma and urine. Free inorganic sulfate levels in plasma rose in all subjects after bathing in Epsom salts. For most people, maximal benefit was achieved by bathing 2-3 times per week, using 500-600g Epsom salts each time.
The study found that bathing in Epsom salts is safe and has no adverse effects. No volunteer complained of any adverse effects, even at MgSO4 levels of 2.5%. Kidney damage was also tested by measuring urinary protein content, but it did not change significantly, whichever Epsom salt levels were used, over the 8-day period. The study concludes that bathing in Epsom salts is a safe and easy way to increase sulfate and magnesium levels in the body.
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