Soaking in a hot bath is relaxing, but adding magnesium flakes may be extra soothing.

Magnesium helps reduce muscle cramps, and many people now take magnesium supplements for stress relief.

Research on magnesium absorption through the skin is mixed, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective, said K. Ashley Garling-Nañez, PharmD, assistant director of programs at the Center of Health Communications at The University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication.

A magnesium flake bath may provide similar benefits to supplements, she added.

How Do Magnesium Flakes Work?

The amount of magnesium that can be absorbed through the skin during a bath is unclear.

However, the concept behind soaking in mineral baths is nothing new. People have soaked their feet in Epsom salts for pain relief, and magnesium flakes may also help with inflammation and soreness.

The skin is the biggest organ in the body, so it’s reasonable to believe you can absorb quite a bit of magnesium through the skin, Garling-Nañez said.

Aside from muscle relaxation, you may also feel less anxious after bathing in magnesium flakes, which could promote better sleep. Magnesium may help with anxiety due to the way it affects the brain.

“It’s a key mineral all over the body, and it has a role in how the neurotransmitters in the brain function,” Garling-Nañez said. Magnesium has also been linked with decreased symptoms of depression and lower cortisol levels.

Who Might Benefit Most from Magnesium Flakes?

If you have a diagnosed magnesium deficiency, you may need to take an oral supplement to stay healthy. But magnesium flake baths could be particularly helpful for people who can’t tolerate oral magnesium supplement, Garling-Nañez said.

This includes people with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions that affect the gut. “With oral supplementation, you can have diarrhea, but with skin application, you avoid the gastrointestinal side effects,” Garling-Nañez said.

Are Magnesium Flakes Safe?

The only known downside to magnesium flakes is that they may cause irritation to people with certain skin conditions, Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, told Verywell.

“For people with a diagnosis of eczema, psoriasis, or who have open cuts on their skin, I would recommend avoiding the use of magnesium flakes, which could exacerbate their skin condition,” Lipner said.

For people without skin conditions, Lipner recommended using one cup of magnesium flakes in a bath for 15 minutes.

It’s always best to err on the side of caution when trying new supplements, and magnesium baths are no exception.

DENVER — While some dietary supplements have true benefits, others come with side effects that are much less desirable, a Colorado medical director of transplants warns.

Dr. Mary Ann Huan works at HCA HealthOne Presbyterian St. Lukes and said she has had patients who took supplements and came to her with various liver issues, including high enzyme counts and jaundice.

“I actually remember seeing a patient a couple years ago whose liver numbers went up,” Dr. Huang said. “He actually felt fine. I couldn’t figure it out.”

Then Dr. Huang said she started digging into his medical history and found a connection to some supplements. Over the years, she has had several patients with liver issues that stemmed from supplements, and then watched as they began to feel better after they stopped taking them.

Colorado medical director explains why we should think twice about taking supplements

Dr. Huang said not all supplements are going to have these kinds of side effects and the impact will vary person to person, depending on other health conditions. She said she also completely understands that people are looking for alternatives to prescription medications, and that often comes in the form of supplements and alternative medicines.

Her family is from Taiwan and her dad is a retired anesthesiologist who went back to Taiwan to train in acupuncture, she explained. The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes hard to measure, but some report feeling less pain and stress, according to the Mayo Clinic.

But Dr. Huang’s concern lies in the fact that no dietary supplements are approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness.

They are easy to purchase at stores or online, and not everybody knows if they have an allergy to the ingredients, or how it will interact with other medications, she warns.

“I think when you talk about why people start taking it, they may talk to their neighbor, or they may talk to a sibling, or they may see something on TikTok or Instagram,” she added.

Dietary supplements range from multivitamins to minerals (like calcium and iron) to herbs and probiotics. They come in many forms, including tablets, capsules, soft gels, powders and gummies, the FDA says.

Dr. Huang said she has patients who took supplements at the suggestion of other doctors, and then saw their health decline.

If you are looking for alternative treatments, there are some easy solutions.

The National Institutes of Health offers a website offering clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injuries. The site, called LiverTox, allows users — both patients and doctors — to look up medications and supplements. It is regularly updated.

“It actually gives you information in terms of what the background is, what to utilize, what’s the potential for hepatotoxicity, and actually gives you a likelihood score,” Dr. Huang said.

And of course, talk to your doctor, especially about how supplements can interact with other medications.

If you experience an issue with a dietary supplement, stop using it, seek medical care if needed and report it to the FDA.

Denver7 has reached out to multiple associations in the supplement industry and are waiting to hear back.

Today’s consumers are focused on taking a proactive approach to their overall health rather than treating symptoms as they arise. In fact, 78% of American consumers incorporate some form of vitamins or supplements into their daily routines to support nutrition and wellness. 

Heightened awareness of the link between lifestyle choices and well-being, rising healthcare costs, and limited access to medical care have prompted more individuals to take proactive steps to prevent illness. Motivated not only by factors they can control, but also by hereditary conditions, many are adopting lifestyle changes that support long-term health and wellness. Vitamins and supplements offer a practical solution, enabling consumers to create personalized health plans that target specific goals and help them mitigate potential risks.

Retailers must adapt to rising consumer interest by offering a diverse range of health and wellness products that enhance their customers’ daily well-being and overall quality of life.

Forecasted Health & Wellness Trends

Consumers are increasingly seeking products that deliver multiple health benefits in a single solution, highlighting a growing demand for convenience and holistic health support. This includes an interest in supplements with targeted functional benefits, such as supporting cognitive function, mental health, digestive health, and energy levels.

Cognitive support supplements are expected to drive sales growth as consumers prioritize mental health, as well as their physical well-being. This shift spans all demographics, from older adults worried about mental decline and other age-related concerns to younger generations managing work and family pressures. Popular ingredients for cognitive health include vitamins B and E, omega fatty acids, and mushrooms.

Emotional health supplements are also on the rise, fueled by increasing social, financial, and political stress. Research reveals that 34% of North American consumers use supplements to improve their mental and emotional well-being. Products like ashwagandha, valerian root, L-Theanine, and magnesium are gaining popularity for their calming effects. 

Additionally, the GLP-1 category for weight management is experiencing growth, demonstrated by the 13% of U.S. adults who have used them to assist with weight loss. This increase has been driven by medications like Ozempic, which claim to support metabolism and blood sugar regulation. With weight management being key to overall health, consumers are expected to continue embracing innovative supplements that will help them further their weight loss goals. 

Health & Wellness Strategies for Retailers

Retailers should create a shopper-friendly environment with clearly categorized product offerings based on health-focused items in diverse formats such as gummies, capsules, and liquids. Emerging options like nutrition-based patches and melts also show significant growth potential and should be considered for trending subcategories. The introduction of these products in a variety of forms is what drives consumer interest in the grocery industry, as it keeps consumers engaged and excited to try new products. 

Retailers must also prioritize offering consumers clearly labeled products designed to meet specific health needs, focusing on those made with high-quality ingredients verified through third-party testing. Stocking shelves with innovative formulas grounded in solid clinical research not only establishes credibility but also builds trust. These factors are especially important as social media has empowered consumers with greater knowledge about the products they buy and the value they provide. 

Finally, products with competitive pricing, educational resources, and promotional support for retailers are well-positioned to drive sales growth. In a market with many retailers selling similar products, elevating products with certifications and value-added messaging will help to distinguish them in a saturated market. The bottom line is that transparent communication about product formulas and their benefits is key to earning customer loyalty.

Distributor Partnerships are the Key to Success

To be competitive in the grocery industry, retailers must stay attuned to consumer trends and align their product offerings with customers’ evolving health and wellness priorities. Collaborating with a distributor can provide access to valuable data and market insights, helping retailers identify emerging trends, popular products, and innovative formulas tailored to their market and merchandising strategies.

The demand for vitamins and supplements is one of many trends expected to influence consumer shopping choices. Retailers need to stay on top of these insights to maintain their competitive edge. As health and wellness products evolve and consumers continue to seek healthier lifestyles and knowledge of the category, this sector will see exponential growth. Consumers are only going to become more health-oriented, and retailers will miss out by not stocking these products on their shelves.