Calcium can gather together PS lipids in the membrane like magnesium, but with a cost of less hydration and a more branched structure in the membrane. Magnesium on the other hand is associated with a higher hydration level enabling a more even, flexible and dense bilayer structure. We tend to need magnesium in higher amounts than calcium because the magnesium ion is smaller and can be bullied and blocked by the larger calcium ion.
Both however are necessary. Calcium has a contracting function which goes with the expressing of water molecules (dehydration), and conversely magnesium has a relaxation and re-hydration function, which relaxes the grip of the calcium. When you get a muscle cramp the muscle cells have low hydration because they have lost too much magnesium. Calcium then dominates, pulling muscle fibres together without the relief of magnesium and water to relax and recover.
Cell Pollution and Acne
Cell pollution and liver dysfunction can also be the cause of pimples, acne, boils and cysts, as these lymph system deposits are forms of accumulating garbage dumps of metabolic wastes that are not being eliminated. We also absorb chemicals from many sources in our environment, including the wrong kind of diet. Without enough magnesium our detoxification enzymes can’t work properly. This leads to accumulation of wastes.
Skin disorders can indicate issues with the liver and detoxification pathways, because of resulting acidosis, lipid peroxidation (oxidised rancid fats), immune system activation (histamine release), free radical damage and tissue breakdown. A stressed skin is a sure sign that stresses are occurring in other parts of the body too – particularly our detox organs.
The condition is exacerbated by gut dysbiosis (often from use of antibiotics) where the gut microbiome is out of kilter, having not enough beneficial gut bacteria and too many bacterial species producing D-Lactic acid, an oversupply of which causes leaky gut syndrome, ie. tiny holes in the gut wall lining which allow access of bowel toxins to the inside of the body.
If you have digestive issues, the easiest way to get large amounts of magnesium is via the epidermal route because the gut can only absorb dilute amounts of magnesium before it ends up in the toilet.
After entry via a compromised gut wall to the inside of the body toxins can cause havoc from blood sepsis to migraines, mental health issues, liver dysfunction, skin disorders and even heart disease and cancer – to name but a few. Not everyone will experience this toxic breach of gut wall defences in the same way, because much depends on genes, lifestyle, stress levels and the balance of the gut microbiome.
A diet of processed carbohydrates and low-nutrient ‘filler foods’, lack of adequate hydration, exercise and oxygen, and excessive stress, alcohol or exposure to chemicals will certainly lead to premature ageing of skin – as well as the rest of the body! Common to all of these conditions is a state of acidosis, low hydration and low magnesium at the cellular level.
Skin Cancers
Skin cancers are a sign that the skin has been exposed to excessive levels of radiation or chemicals that have damaged cell DNA links. Magnesium is essential to repair DNA links.
The skin has the ability to recover from a certain amount of sun exposure. A little bit is actually necessary for it to produce Vitamin D3 (which is actually a hormone) in the epidermis using cholesterol and magnesium. The body then absorbs the vitamin D from the skin over a number of hours.
Even if you get a light sunburn (a small red flush from the blood cells moving closer to the skin surface), and your skin has an abundance of lipids, hydration and magnesium, these nutrients help the skin recover and regenerate. The skin is thereby stimulated to produce more melanin, which is a powerful antioxidant that further helps to protect skin by deflecting radiation.
The problem arises when people overwhelm their body with too much sun exoposure, diminishing the skin’s defence systems. People with very fair skin will be more vulnerable to skin damage from the sun because of a lack of melanin, and should exercise caution and mindfulness with a more moderate sun exposure, as well as extra application of protective lipids and magnesium to support the skin’s recovery.
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