Magnesium Health Benefits & Why it’s Important
Just some amongst a host of benefits & uses:
- Magnesium Improves oxygen use
- Magnesium makes insulin more effective
- Magnesium flushes toxins from the body
- Magnesium Improves absorption of nutrients
- Magnesium regulates activity of 325 + enzymes
- Magnesium helps relieve or ease migraine headaches
- Magnesium helps muscles and nerves function properly
- Magnesium helps prevent artery hardening and blood clots
- Magnesium eases stress
- Magnesium improves sleep and concentration
- Magnesium reduces inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
- Magnesium helps joint proteins, bone tissue and mucin proteins.
The major components of Epsom Salts are magnesium and sulphate which perform all sorts of biological functions. The two elements break apart and separate in liquid. Sufficient sulfur is essential to detox the body of toxins and waste. Low levels may lead to a backlog of toxins, which in turn can affect our central nervous system. Most sulfur supplements are difficult for the body to absorb and therefore have minimal effect. However, Epsom Salts provide sulphates in a readily absorbable form to help the body rid itself of waste products and toxins by making them water soluble and therefore easily excreted. Autism Naturapaths in Australia & NZ, specialising in Autism, ADHD, Aspergers, PDD Developmental Delays, Learning Difficulties, Allergies and Childrens Health, from a natural biomedical approach say Epsom Salts plays a key role in helping children with Autism. Composed of magnesium & sulphate, many times both of these nutrients are low in children on the Autism Spectrum.
Magnesium in either our Gold Label Epsom Salts or Natural Epsom Salt, or Magnesium Chloride & Dead Sea Salt when absorbed through the skin increases magnesium levels & helps the body from becoming susceptible to a myriad of health disorders which arise when low in magnesium, and is also necessary for the balance of the ‘calcium & magnesium ratio’ within the body.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is very common. Crops are grown in over fertilized, and magnesium deficient soils, and so the food we consume lacks magnesium, therefore our bodies uptake very little magnesium from our diet. Magnesium helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes, and performs a vital role in many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins. It improves nerve function by regulating electrolytes and is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
Magnesium Baths
It is recommended to start with half a cup of Magnesium per bath and increase by half a cup each subsequent bath in case of adverse side effects, which are rare.
The quantity of salts and frequency of baths varies depending on the size of the bathtub and bather, and whether you are wanting to increase magnesium levels, or keep to a maintenance level.
If the aim is to increase magnesium levels, some use 3 cups per bath every day! The most common protocol is 2 cups per bath, 3 – 4 days per week, soaking for 20 – 30 min. A good practice is to dissolve the salts in a separate bowl of water first and add to a waist deep, warm bath.
As magnesium and sulfates are absorbed through the skin they intensify the biological process of detoxification and calm the nervous system. Many people find they have a very relaxed sleep as a result. Any Epsom Salt left on the skin may continue to be absorbed as long as it is still on the skin, offering continuous ‘timed-release’ input into the bloodstream – like medication given through skin patches.
Some people who desire the wonderful therapeutic benefits from Epsom Salt baths but have a pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema find adding oils such as essential oils, olive oil or others to the bath prevents further skin irritation that may otherwise result.