Transdermal magnesium absorption as due to bathing in baths filled with magnesium chloride

Magnesium plays an important role in different kinds of reactions in the body.
Magnesium deficiency is often seen in the Western population as due to the
foodprocessing process. A magnesium deficiency is associated with chronic
diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tiredness,
arrhythmias, stress, ADHD and cancer.
It is frequently claimed that the transdermal route, so absorption trough the
skin, is a good way for magnesium supplementation.Products such as: magnesium
oils, bath flakes containing Dead Sea minerals or pure magnesium are widely
available and frequently used despite the lack of scientific evidence for
transdermal magnesium uptake. In many Spa and wellness centers throughout the
world magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and magnesium chloride (MgCi2) are used for
flotation therapy.Despite the transdermal application of magnesium there is no
evidence for transdermal uptake of magnesium. So we aimed to investigate if
there excist an uptake of magnesium across the skin.

We aimded to investigate if there excist transdermal magnesium absorption.

In this study 2 groups will be compared in a randomized experimental design. As
due to drawing lots a volunteer will be classified in the intervention group or
in the control group. In the intervention group the absorption of magnesium
across the skin will be measured as due to taking baths filled with
magnesiumchloride. The control group will take baths filled with
sodiumchloride. In bothgroups the uptake of magnesium across the skin, as due
to bathing. The effects on the magnesiumconcentration of the healthy volunteers
in the intervention group will be compared with the effects on the
magnesiumconcentration of the healthy volunteers in the control group.

The intervention for the intervention group will consists of 3 baths with a
duration of twenty minutes. The day before the test day the participants will
collect 24 hour urine. To determine the magnesium concentration, blood and oral
mucosa will be collected by arriving at swim paradise 'Tropiqua'. Also the
blood pressure and pulse will be measured. After these tests the participants
will take 3 baths with magnesium chloride, for a duration of twenty minutes.
After every bath the healthy volunteers have to catch up the urine. The blood
pressure and pulse will be measured as well. After the third bath, besides
collecting urine and measuring of the blood pressure and pulse, also blood and
oral mucosa will be collected.

The study design will be the same for the control group. However the baths will
not contain magnesium chloride but sodium chloride. In the control group the
same measurements will be performed as in the intervention group.

The intervention group will take 3 baths filled with magnesiumchloride. The
baths have a duration of twenty minutes. The whirlpools will have a
watertemperature of 37 degrees and a concentration of 22-26% magnesiumchloride.
The whirlpools will be available in tropical swim paradise *Tropiqua* in
Veendam.

The control group will take 3 baths of twenty minutes filled with a
sodiumchloride solution. The whirlpools will have a watertemperature of 37
degrees and a concentration of 30-33% sodiumchloride. The whirlpools will be
available in tropical swim paradise *Tropiqua* in Veendam.

Bathing in magnesium chloride is comparable to taking a bath in the Dead Sea (
salinity 33%). The Dead Sea contains a high percentage of magnesiumchloride:
50.8%. As known from several studies bathing in the Dead Sea has a positive
influence on the skin. In many Spa and wellness centers throughout the world
magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and magnesium chloride (MgCi2) are used for flotation
REST therapy. There are several studies on flotation REST as a therapy as such
in which no side effects are reported. The baths are pH neutral. The baths can
give a light sensation on the skin, but this is not harmfull. Here fore, we
consider the risks of the study to be small.