The Importance Of Magnesium For A Healthy Body

Author: Kaitlyn Griffin  Date Posted:17 November 2015 

Do you suffer from common health complaints like poor sleep quality, insomnia, anxiety or low energy? A magnesium deficiency might just be the culprit. Nicknamed the 'miracle mineral', magnesium plays a crucial role in getting the body running smoothly and improving overall health, yet so many of us are magnesium deficient (without even realising it). 

Stress, caffeine, sugar and alcohol work as magnesium eliminators, causing our bodies to get rid of magnesium. Since we cannot produce magnesium naturally, we rely on food and water. The issue is that our food and water don't contain adequate amounts of magnesium for us. While taking magnesium tablets is an option,
 oral magnesium tablets interfere with our digestion and have a low absorption rate (as low as 4%), transdermal magnesium oil is your best bet. Applying it daily on your skin (your largest organ) you may notice more relaxed muscles, better sleep, improved daytime energy and the following:
 

  • reduced pain relief
  • relieves muscle pain
  • slows down ageing process
  • aids muscle function
  • stops twitching
  • increases energy
  • treats migraines
  • improves memory
  • treats anxiety
  • reduces joint pain
  • prevents constipation
  • increases mental clarity, alertness & focus
 

Magnesium can come in the form of an oil, gel, lotion or bath flakes. The oil is the most common, but lotion is great for people with sensitive skin or children. It is very normal to get a slight stinging or 'itchy' sensation when using magnesium oil. Start off with a small dose (1 -3 sprays) and rub in. If you still find this too strong, dilute 1:1 with water. 

I used magnesium oil on the balls of my feet during a 5 day (90km) hike in New Zealand and it was amazing. I currently rub magnesium oil on my shoulders, or 'traps', daily as I get sore from carrying my daughter. This has been life changing for me. My pain levels are almost non existent if I regularly apply the oil each day. I also like to apply to my hip flexors as I struggle to stretch these, and let's face it, I get lazy with stretching!

Magnesium oil = the best!

 

Conditions links to inadequate magnesium levels include:

Pain:

  • Headaches
  • Muscle Spasms and Muscle Cramps
  • Fibromyalgia

Mental Health and Sleep:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Autism and ADD
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
  • Insomnia
  • Tics

Other Conditions:

  • Psoriasis, Acne and Eczema
  • Asthma
  • Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis

Why is this? 

Because it is a necessary part of hundreds of biochemical reactions occurring constantly inside our cells, magnesium’s presence or absence affects the brain, the muscles, and the heart and blood vessels. Our body cannot make magnesium, so we rely on food and water to deliver it. The problem is that today our food and water doesn't have nearly as much magnesium as it used to, plus things such as sugar and caffeine work as 'magnesium eliminators' that cause us to lose magnesium through our urine. Not ideal really!

The common way to up magnesium level is by taking tablets. The catch here is that oral magnesium has shown to have as low as 4% absorption rate and is not tolerated well by the digesting system, which counteracts the benefits of it. 

As our skin is our largest organ, applying magnesium topically (i.e. straight on the skin) is the best way to  increase your levels without nasty side effects. Our fave brand of magnesium is Ancient Minerals

Do you need to take magnesium? Take our 1 minute quiz and find out!

 

 

 


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