See this report on uptake of magnesium and sulphate (UK spelling) by Dr Rosemary Waring: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf There is also the possibility of a DIY cream formulation: http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Magnesium_cream_-_how_to_make_it_and_use_it As to the benefits, ever thought that the sulphate might be the more important component? as it might be with regards to conditions like autism: http://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2011/03/forgotten-research-sulphation-and.html

I take an epsom salt bath at least once per week, but I am concerned about the amount of chlorine and other things I am absorbing from city water, so I also daily take 1 tsp of powdered magnesium citrate (mixed with water) from NOW Foods. The bottle is cheap and lasts several months, and I like that it is powdered (tastes very tart) and is actually much cheaper than epsom salts end up being. I also sometimes add in their powered magnesium ascorbate which has vitamin c - an 8 ounce bottle of that has lasted 8 months so far (serving size is 1/4 tsp) and there is still 1/3 of the bottle to go. I feel amazing since adding these supplements in, calm, and no more heart palpitations (was having them occasionally at night) and NOW Foods brand can be found pretty cheap at vitacost.com or local health food stores. I prefer the powdered version so as to avoid extra additives.

The only study done on Epsom salt baths (cited by Paul above and in my question on Epsom salts that you answered) had the subjects bathe for 12 minutes, and all of them raised their Mg and SO4 blood levels significantly after only a week of bathing, so you should be able to absorb enough Mg in that amount of time, but I think bathing longer will allow you to absorb more, although I have no idea how much more. The question I have that the study doesn't answer is how long would it take for one to increase one's Mg levels if one only bathes in Epsom salts once or twice per week? The subjects in the study bathed in it every day, but that isn't practical for me and many other people due to financial and time limitations.

Btw, if you still are looking for a cheap source of Epsom salts, you have to buy them in bulk, and I bought them here for a ridiculously cheap price (25 lbs. for $23.75, which comes to $0.95/lb. plus free shipping!): http://www.saltworks.us/ultra-epsom-salt-wholesale.html

I am not going to even think about comparing that cost/dose ratio to even the cheapest oral Mg product, because it would make me aware of just how much money I could have saved using Epsom salts instead of oral Mg supplements for many months.

I soak twice a day, sometimes with epsom salts, but not to boost magnesium levels. I do it in lieu of meditation and because I get beat up playing soccer. And also it feels nice.

Hi folks, I just came across this question and by synchronicity I attended a Body Worker yesterday for a Physical Alignment...he gave me a large bag of Epsom Salts, as I was leaving and was quite SPECIFIC about the 'times'. Hope it helps. 18-20 minutes was his direction, further advising that it takes 18-19 minutes for toxins to leech OUT of the body and be replaced with the Magnesium etc...'after that', 18-19 minutes, the body begins to RE-ABSORBE the toxins'. This man is an amazing Body Worker/Osteo and committed to 'good health' and furthermore, I would suggest that he knows, whereof he speaks....again, hope this helps someone. Toodles, Belle xo

We just bought Epsom salts at WalMart in 2# bags for $.88 per bag. That's only $.44 per #. I keep reading that about $1/# is so cheap. That doesn't make sense.