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Is Magnesium a Wonder Supplement?

Q. I have been taking a magnesium supplement (300 mg of magnesium oxide daily) for a while to combat terrible leg cramps that wake me up in the middle of the night. It has been an incredible help (Magnesium citrate does not work as well for me.)

When I read up on possible side effects I found that it also lowers blood pressure, which is good news since I am on BP meds.

The other day my husband remarked that my rosacea seems to have virtually disappeared. I put Metrogel on every night as usual, but it looks much better. Is there a connection between using magnesium oxide and reducing rosacea flare-ups?

A. We could find no studies to support this approach. Nevertheless, other readers have also reported that magnesium, whether applied topically (Epsom salts or milk of magnesia) or in a supplement, may be helpful against rosacea. This condition causes redness of the cheeks, forehead and nose and may also cause pimple-like blemishes.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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