Where is Ancient Minerals MSM Sourced?
All Ancient Minerals Ultra products use MSM supplied by Bergstrom Nutrition. For over 30 years they have maintained a reputation of consistently delivering the highest quality MSM
globally, and OptiMSM® is the purest and only GRAS-designated MSM supplier available on the market. Trusted by manufacturers and
consumers alike, OptiMSM® has earned the reputation as the purest, safest, most consistent quality MSM in the world.
Bergstrom Nutrition uses a proprietary multi-stage distillation process, and every batch is third-party tested, ensuring optimal purity, quality, and consistency. OptiMSM® is made exclusively in the USA and manufactured
in a cGMP-certified, ISO-registered facility. OptiMSM® is Kosher and Halal certified, non-GMO, gluten-free, allergen-free, non-shellfish-derived, and vegan, all backed by extensive toxicology data.
For additional information on MSM, read more: What is MSM? and Why is MSM so beneficial for Athletes?
Manufactured and distributed by Enviromedica®, Ancient Minerals® magnesium offers a full line of transdermal magnesium products with OptiMSM®, including
Magnesium Flakes Ultra, Magnesium Oil Ultra,
Magnesium Lotion Ultra, and Magnesium Gel Ultra.
Why is MSM so Beneficial for Athletes?
A Natural Sulfur for Joint Pain and Muscle Soreness
Pre-workout or post-workout, joint pain or muscle soreness, swelling and inflammation, fitness stressors are distractions for athletes that interrupt busy daily routines. MSM is a natural sulfur remedy for all the above. Methylsulfonylmethane supports connective tissues, joints, ligaments, and tendons. MSM promotes blood flow to muscles that assists in the healing process and reduces painful muscle spasms. MSM also maximizes the benefits of exercise and fitness through inflammation relief and muscle recovery, sulfur playing a role in both collagen and keratin.
MSM Musculoskeletal Benefits
- Joint, Tendon, and Ligament Mobility and Elasticity
- Inflammation Reduction and Muscle Recovery
- Promotes Blood Flow to Muscles Stimulating Growth and Repair
- Reduces Painful Muscle Spasms and Contractions
In the same category, we are often asked about Glucosamine and Chondroitin. When compared to MSM, these molecules are much larger and more complex. MSM is a small, simple molecule that is essentially carbon-based organic sulfur, while Glucosamine and Chondroitin are both components of normal cartilage. Glucosamine is a substance found naturally in the fluid that surrounds your joints; Chondroitin is found in the cartilage around your joints. Both substances play a role in keeping your joints cushioned and lubricated. MSM is a sulfur compound that also provides additional inflammation reducing benefits.
The synergistic action of MSM with Glucosamine and Chondroitin has been demonstrated in human clinical trials. MSM may help mitigate inflammation and enhance cell permeability, allowing the body to make better use of these two important joint supporting compounds. Enviromedica® offers a Cartilage Collagen supplement that is also an excellent addition to any athletes regimen.
The Premier MSM Supplier Globally
All Ancient Minerals® Ultra products use MSM supplied by Bergstrom Nutrition. They are recognized as the highest quality MSM producer globally, and OptiMSM® is the purest and only GRAS-designated MSM produced in the United States.
OptiMSM® also bears the Informed-Choice designation. Informed-Choice is a global quality assurance program for sports nutrition product suppliers and manufacturers. The program certifies that every batch of a supplement product or raw material that bears the Informed-Choice logo have been tested for banned substances by LGC’s sports anti-doping laboratory.
Additional information about MSM can be found in the article: What is MSM? Ancient Minerals® offers a full line of transdermal magnesium products with MSM including Magnesium Flakes Ultra, Magnesium Oil Ultra, Magnesium Lotion Ultra, Magnesium Gel Ultra, and Magnesium Lotion Goodnight with melatonin.
Is topical magnesium beneficial for those with restless sleep and leg discomfort?
Magnesium in the body acts as a natural nerve calmer and muscle relaxant, among other things. Because of these qualities, those with restless sleep and leg discomfort often find a modicum of relief simply by boosting their magnesium levels whether via food or supplementation.
The benefit of applying magnesium topically is that it can have a more direct and immediate effect to the area in which it is applied – which is obviously incredibly helpful for those experiencing localized pain or discomfort. Our experience has been that initial use will require more frequent applications, tapering off once magnesium levels are sufficiently, and consistently, boosted.
Feedback from those experiencing restless sleep and leg discomfort has suggested that application of the magnesium immediately prior to sleep would be the most effective, as well as keeping it accessible on a nightstand should periodic use throughout the night be required.
Is it better to apply the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil before or after my workout?
There are numerous fitness benefits to be had by having sufficient magnesium in the body at all times. That being said, usage both before and after rigorous activity have varying perks that you may want to capitalize on depending on your fitness goals and schedule.
Magnesium can help to increase endurance, stamina, flexibility, and even power output, which are all persuasive reasons for use prior to working out. However, it is also used in the body for muscle recovery along with a whole host of biological processes that are impacted when we exert ourselves.
Can I apply lotion on top of Ancient Minerals magnesium oil?
Many people struggle with dry skin during summer months due to weather changes, increased bathing, swimming pool chlorination, etc. Since the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil is a high concentration magnesium salt, for some it may add to that hurdle.
We recommend that if you wish to use a moisturizing lotion following your application of magnesium oil to wait at least 15-20 minutes prior to doing so to give the oil adequate time to absorb into your skin on its own. Don’t forget that we also have a fantastic lotion selection amongst our Ancient Minerals line that is completely free of toxic ingredients and provides a luxurious blend rich in emollients with the added benefit of our Zechstein magnesium.
Is it okay to apply the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil to sunburned skin?
Although magnesium is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent and may aid in mild to moderate sunburn recovery, the potency of the full strength magnesium oil will more than likely be a bit too harsh for sensitive, sunburned skin.
If you wish to utilize topical magnesium for this purpose, we recommend a much more diluted application such as the Ancient Minerals magnesium bath flakes, or a dilution of the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil of at least 10 to 1 so as to not potentially agitate already injured skin. This would also apply to those with various forms of dermatitis, such as eczema or psoriasis.
How does Ancient Minerals compare with other topical magnesium products on the market?
Ancient Minerals is the only topical magnesium brand formulated using the exclusive Genuine Zechstein® magnesium chloride source. Other manufacturers use inferior forms of magnesium, sourced from impure ocean deposits and contaminated inland water sources.
Learn about the testing and production processes we employ to ensure a pure magnesium product.
Are Ancient Minerals magnesium products safe for animals and pets?
Absolutely. Ancient Minerals topical magnesium products are just as effective on animals and pets as they are on humans. In fact, natural and alternative veterinary clinics around the world use our magnesium gel and magnesium oil for everything from wound care to general health maintenance.
Are Ancient Minerals magnesium products safe to use with children?
Most definitely! Ancient Minerals magnesium baths are the preferred application by most parents, and have been used with great success on children as young as 6 months old. They are not only safe, but also highly therapeutic and can calm even the most restless young ones.
Is there a maximum daily limit for using Ancient Minerals topically?
No. The skin has a unique ability to self-regulate absorption, and therefore overuse is of little concern.
Are there any precautions for using Ancient Minerals magnesium products?
Avoid using Ancient Minerals magnesium gel, magnesium lotion or magnesium oil near mucus membranes such as the eyes and nose, which can cause some irritation.
In addition, though applying the magnesium oil and/or gel to broken skin or wounds can be highly therapeutic and cleansing, the high concentration of magnesium salts may cause discomfort. If you are using Ancient Minerals on broken skin or lesions (i.e. psoriasis, eczema, acne, etc.) it is strongly advised to begin with magnesium baths until the skin had a chance to start healing and become less sensitive to the higher concentration of magnesium chloride in the oil and gel.
Do I need to shower or rinse the magnesium off after using it?
Rinsing off magnesium oil or magnesium gel after use is a matter of personal preference, and depends on how much you apply and where it is applied on the body. Typically, the more magnesium oil or gel used per application, the higher likelihood you may prefer to rinse it off. In roughly twenty minutes your skin can take full advantage of topically applied magnesium, and it may be safely removed at that point. Keep in mind, also, that Ancient Minerals magnesium gel is designed not to be fully absorbed into the skin, so rinsing off after applying is a fairly common practice.
Please see our Magnesium Application and Usage Guide for more information.
Should I continue using other magnesium supplements orally if I am also using Ancient Minerals topically?
This is a matter of personal choice, often dependent on how well or how poorly each individual tolerates oral supplements.
Ancient Minerals topical magnesium represents a welcome alternative:
For those who prefer to avoid the inconvenience of taking pills.
For those who experience loose stools, diarrhea or GI upset when taking oral supplements
For those who do have limited tolerance, Ancient Minerals provides much needed additional magnesium without side effects.
Why are oral magnesium supplements so difficult to absorb for most people?
There are two primary reasons:
Meaningful quantities of magnesium from dietary supplements have a tendency to create a laxative effect in the majority of users. This reduces transit time through the gastrointestinal tract and decreases overall absorption.
When large quantities of magnesium are taken in a single dose, a smaller overall percentage of magnesium is absorbed.
Get advice on the best magnesium supplements.
Will magnesium applied topically produce a laxative effect like oral magnesium supplements?
No, there is little to no potential for a laxative effect. This is a fundamental advantage of using Ancient Minerals magnesium products topically, as your skin can naturally self-regulate the absorption of minerals.
Learn more about the advantages of transdermal magnesium.
Where does Ancient Minerals come from?
The pristine source for Ancient Minerals magnesium products lies within a deep underground seabed in Northern Europe–nearly two miles beneath the surface—referred to as the Ancient Zechstein Sea. It is extracted from the earth by a process known as solution mining, and is globally the most coveted source of naturally occurring magnesium chloride in existence. For more information, please visit http://www.genuinezechstein.com/.
Is Ancient Minerals magnesuim “oil” actually oil?
No, although this is a common misconception. Magnesium “oil” is a term that was coined early in the development of transdermal magnesium therapy. It refers to the hygroscopic nature (attracts water molecules) of a highly saturated solution of magnesium chloride in water along with other trace elements. This super-saturated solution happens to present itself in an oil-like texture and lends itself particularly to absorption by the skin.
Is the magnesium chloride in Ancient Minerals “Pharmaceutical Grade” or “USP Grade”?
Many manufacturers rely on the phrases “Pharmaceutical Grade” and “USP Grade” to convey a sense of quality to consumers. Both “Pharmaceutical Grade” and “USP Grade” refer to the same thing–the public standards set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia.
There are several aspects of magnesium chloride defined by USP standards, but arguably the most important and controversial is the standard set for maximum allowable heavy metal content. This standard designates how much mercury, cadmium, lead and other toxic metals may be present while still receiving USP certification.
In the case of magnesium chloride, the USP standard allows for a maximum heavy metal content of 10 parts per million (ppm). Because transdermal magnesium chloride comes into direct contact with our skin, we should pay particular attention to the fact that these allowed elements are known toxins. Even as low as a single part per million of mercury can have negative effects.
What this means for you is that manufacturers can casually use the phrase “Pharmaceutical Grade” without telling you exactly what toxic heavy metals exist in the finished product, and at what levels–so long as these levels are below the USP limit.
By no means do we consider this an acceptable practice, and certainly not a suitable method to represent the purity of Ancient Minerals. For that reason, we refer to the “ultra-purity” of Ancient Minerals as being far beyond any pharmaceutical standard that exists in the world, period. We are completely transparent in our efforts to redefine purity.
Genuine Zechstein® lab results are available proudly to all who seek them. For more information on these results, please feel free to contact us.
I experience some tingling when I apply the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil or gel. Is this normal?
Some users of magnesium oil and magnesium gel with sensitive skin may experience tingling and/or slight irritation at the site of application due to the high concentration of magnesium chloride. This is completely harmless, and varies based on a number of factors, including how much is applied and where it is applied on the body.
Diluting the magnesium oil 1:1 with pure spring water can reduce this effect, although this is a matter of personal preference. Those who experience this effect also report that the tingling lessens with each subsequent application.
Another option is to choose Ancient Minerals magnesium lotion or magnesium bath flakes, for use in foot soaks and/or full body soaks, which offer a gentler form of transdermal magnesium therapy, for those with extremely sensitive or broken skin.
Read more in our Magnesium Application and Usage Guide.