As requested, here is info about the Magnesium Issue with Lyme treatment (copied from an email I sent to bucci, and edited slightly):
From what I've observed, magnesium supplementation is a huge controversy in Lyme treatment. It is thought that magnesium is used by Lyme bacteria to make biofilms, which is why some LLMD's tell their patients to avoid it. But this also may explain why people with Lyme are magnesium deficient - the Lyme may have used it all up and there's none left over for the body to use.
Here's my opinion: The body requires magnesium to function (e.g., over 300 enzymes in the body do not work at all without it...). Therefore, because it is so essential, I believe taking magnesium supplements is a good thing when one has symptoms that are relieved by taking it (such as muscle twitching/spasms, constipation, etc.). If a person doesn't have problems avoiding the magnesium supplements, then it is ok to skip taking them **if** the person is getting sufficient magnesium in their diet (i.e., from vegetables & fruits known to be rich in magnesium, such as celery, among others).
Furthermore, there is a product called Magnesium Oil that is widely used by naturopathic physicians who treat Lyme. This is a topical magnesium cloride product (I can't take because of ingredient intolerances) that apparently is absorbed directly into the tissues and therefore circumvents the gut-bloodstream absorption pathway that may more directly "feed" the Lyme biofilm building process. Also, many LLMD's and LL-Naturopaths recommend soaking in Epsom Salts baths for detoxing and for dealing with certain symptoms (esp. neuro-muscular issues), which also contains a lot of magnesium...this is another way to accomplish the topical absorption of the magnesium into the skin, muscles and connective tissues.
Keep in mind all the above is based on personal observation and opinion...I am not an MD, ND, or any other kind of health care practitioner...I just read a lot...
Take care,