1. Symptoms: Bechterew’s Impact on Daily Life

Bechterew, also known as ankylosing spondylitis (axial SpA), primarily causes chronic inflammation in the spine and large joints. Symptoms can include:

• Persistent back pain, especially at night.
• Morning stiffness that improves with movement.
• Fatigue due to inflammation and disturbed sleep.
• Reduced flexibility and mobility over time.

These symptoms can significantly affect daily life, making effective symptom management crucial. 

2. A Personal Journey

The connection between Bechterew and magnesium is deeply connected to one of our founders, Roelof, and his journey to find relief for his Bechterew symptoms. A friend recommended trying magnesium oil, and to his surprise, it brought significant relief. This sparked a deeper exploration, which led to the discovery that the world’s purest natural magnesium source lies right beneath his feet in Groningen, the Netherlands. Amazed that such a powerful natural resource was still relatively unknown, he and a small team started OMg Magnesium to share its benefits with the world.

3. Bechterew and Magnesium: A Science-Backed Connection

Magnesium plays a key role in reducing inflammation, supporting muscle and joint health, and improving sleep. Studies have shown that magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties and helps regulate the immune response, making it valuable for managing chronic inflammatory conditions, research suggests that individuals with chronic illnesses, including arthritis, often have lower magnesium levels, which can exacerbate symptoms. An overview of relevant scientific references is provided at the end of this article. 

Many individuals with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) have reported positive effects from using magnesium. For instance, Jemma Newman shared her experience in an article on Ankylosing Spondylitis News, stating that using liquid magnesium helped alleviate muscle stiffness and improved her sleep quality.

Ankylosing Spondylitis News

Similarly, a member of the Spondylitis Association of America forums mentioned that magnesium supplementation had "worked wonders" for them, providing relief from AS symptoms.

Spondylitis Forums

4. How Magnesium Helps

Using magnesium supplements can provide several benefits for those with Bechterew:

• Reduced Inflammation: Magnesium helps regulate inflammatory markers like CRP, offering relief from joint stiffness and pain.
• Improved Sleep: By calming supporting melatonin regulation, magnesium promotes restful sleep, helping to alleviate fatigue.
• Muscle Relaxation: Magnesium support recovery, reducing spasms and stiffness associated with Bechterew.
• Bone Health: As magnesium contributes to calcitonin, it helps maintain bone strength, essential for those with spinal conditions.

5. Recommended Three-tiered Approach

To effectively support your body, establish a magnesium-rich routine tailored to your needs. We recommend a three-tiered approach:

1. FOUNDATION

Start with healthy nutrition by incorporating magnesium-rich foods, these provide the base for your daily magnesium intake.

2. ESSENTIAL BASELINE

Use oral supplements to build and maintain consistent magnesium levels throughout the day. This ensures your body has a steady supply of this essential mineral.

3. TARGETED SUPPORT

Apply magnesium topically through skin absorption for specific needs. Magnesium oil or flakes offer direct relief to sore muscles and targeted areas.

This layered approach ensures you meet your magnesium needs, combining nutrition, supplementation, and targeted relief.

6. Suggested Bechterew-Specific Daily Magnesium Routine

Healthy Nutrition:
Start with a balanced diet rich in magnesium, including leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. This forms the foundation of your magnesium intake and helps support overall well-being. Unfortunately modern agriculture depletes magnesium in soils, while modern lifestyles increase magnesium demands, leading to widespread deficiencies. Typically, healthy food covers about 50% of your daily magnesium needs.

Morning:

• Take oral supplements during breakfast to maintain a steady magnesium baseline throughout the day.
• To reduce potential stomach discomfort, spread capsule intake across multiple meals if needed.
• Use a magnesium deodorant under your armpits for quick and effective absorption, thanks to the thin skin and proximity to lymph nodes.

After Exercise or Activity:
Apply magnesium oil directly to sore or stiff areas to relieve tension and support recovery. This is especially helpful for muscles and joints affected by Bechterew.

Evening Routine:
Before bedtime, apply magnesium oil to commonly affected areas such as the shoulders, neck, and legs. This promotes targeted relief and relaxation, helping to reduce nighttime discomfort.

Weekly:
Take two (foot)baths with magnesium flakes for deeper relaxation. These baths help reduce inflammation, promote restful sleep, and replenish magnesium levels effectively. Magnesium flakes are a perfect addition to a warm bath, offering a deeply relaxing experience. They dissolve effortlessly in the water—just add a few handfuls and unwind. Since magnesium is effectively absorbed through the skin, a bath with magnesium flakes is an excellent way to restore your magnesium levels.

For even greater benefits, we recommend a footbath. By using the same amount of flakes as in a full bath, the smaller volume of water creates a higher magnesium concentration. This makes a footbath both more effective and more economical, ensuring you get the most out of every use.

This routine combines nutrition, oral supplementation, and topical magnesium application to support your body in managing Bechterew symptoms. Please check out our “Your Optimal Magnesium Routine” guide, which includes tailored routines and specific dosages designed to meet your magnesium needs based on your age.

7. Why Consider OMg’s Magnesium Products?

Our name OMg is short for Optimal Magnesium, and that’s exactly what we’re all about. Our mission is to deliver the Earth's purest magnesium in its most natural form, promoting wellness for individuals and the wider community.

To ensure the highest quality and effectiveness, we collaborate with the Magnesium Health Institute, jointly developing our suggested routines and having every product approved by the institute before adding it to our lineup. This guarantees that our products align with the latest scientific insights and deliver maximum benefits.

There are many types of magnesium available, including magnesium citrate, oxide, chloride, sulfate, taurate, and more. To simplify your routine and maximize results, we focus on two carefully chosen types of magnesium:

• Magnesium Chloride: Known for its exceptional properties when applied to the skin, making it ideal for transdermal absorption.
• Magnesium Bisglycinate: A gentle, highly bioavailable form that is easy on the stomach and paired with glycine for improved absorption.

We believe strongly in the benefits of transdermal application, using magnesium oil or flakes. However, to achieve significant results, you need to apply considerable amounts. That’s why our suggested routine combines transdermal application for targeted relief with oral capsules to establish a solid magnesium foundation.

With OMg, you’re not just getting products; you’re adopting a routine designed for optimal magnesium intake, backed by science, and tailored to meet your needs.

8. Suggested OMg Magnesium products

OMg Magnesium Bisglycinate Capsules

• Gentle on the stomach and ideal for daily magnesium supplementation.
• Highly bioavailable form of magnesium for optimal absorption.
• Perfect for maintaining consistent magnesium levels, especially for those with higher needs due to stress, physical activity, or specific health conditions such as Bechterew.

OMg Magnesium Oil in spray and deodorant forms

• Perfect for direct application on stiff joints or muscles.
• Promotes recovery, better sleep, and reduces inflammation.
• Easy to use with a spray bottle for quick absorption.
• Sourced from the Zechstein subterranean sea, home to Earth’s purest natural magnesium.

OMg Magnesium Flakes

• Ideal for baths or foot soaks to relax and relieve stress.
• Supports muscle recovery and improves overall skin health.
• Provides a calming bedtime ritual, enhancing sleep quality.
• Sourced from the Zechstein subterranean sea, home to Earth’s purest natural magnesium.

Please check out our “Your Optimal Magnesium Routine” guide, which includes tailored routines and specific dosages designed to meet your magnesium needs based on your age.

Living with Bechterew can be challenging, but magnesium supplementation offers a natural, effective way to support your body. With OMg Magnesium products, you can tailor your routine to your needs, helping you manage symptoms and enjoy a more active, comfortable life.

While OMg's magnesium products are designed to support overall well-being and provide natural relief, they are not a replacement for prescribed medical treatments. If you have a medical condition, such as Bechterew, or are considering magnesium supplements as part of your routine, we strongly recommend consulting your doctor or healthcare provider first. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that magnesium is safe and beneficial for your specific health needs. Always follow medical guidance alongside any supplementation.

Scientific References

1. Nielsen, F. H. (2010). Magnesium, inflammation, and obesity in chronic disease. Nutritional Reviews.
2. Zeng, C., et al. (2015). Association between dietary magnesium intake and C-reactive protein levels in the US adult population. Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics.
3. Razzaque, M. S. (2018). Magnesium: Are We Consuming Enough? Nutrients.
4. Rude, R. K., & Gruber, H. E. (2004). Magnesium deficiency and osteoporosis: Animal and human observations. Journal of Nutrition and Clinical Care.
5. Gröber, U., et al. (2015). Magnesium in prevention and therapy. Nutrients.
6. Wienecke, T., & Diederich, N. J. (2014). Magnesium in migraine prophylaxis—is there an evidence-based rationale? Frontiers in Neurology.
7. Dominguez, L. J., et al. (2006). Magnesium and muscle performance in older persons. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
8. Wolf, F. I., & Trapani, V. (2008). Magnesium and its role in nutrition and health. Clinical Nutrition.