You may have read lately that Gwyneth Paltrow soaks in a bath of Epsom salt each night before going to be. Well, who doesn’t want to adapt some natural beauty tips from someone who looks glowing all the time? But, what about Epsom salt baths the link with magnesium and deficiency in our body?
Epsom salts have been around for years and have been used to treat anything from sore muscles, injured athletes, detox baths, to gardening. But the uses don’t stop there. Epsom is a natural compound made from magnesium and sulfate. These two compounds are a powerhouse for our body. Studies are now showing a growing number of us are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is essential to our body and affects areas of our health like metabolism, immune system, and heart health, and limits inflammation. Magnesium is needed in its regulation of potassium and calcium but also is necessary for cellular health. Some research is showing magnesium to be essential in aiding in disease prevention. As a link, a large number of people with diseases are deficient in magnesium.
Why are we deficient?
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our body. Medications, like diuretics, painkillers, antibiotics, cortisone are known to deplete our store of magnesium and limit absorption. Without it, our body just can’t function. It is important on a cellular level.
Our soil is another area that contributes to depletion. Our soil has changed dramatically over the years. As our crops have changed and essential minerals are being removed from our soil, we lose those minerals from diets.
Our SAD(standard American diet). We live in a processed world of junk, packaged, high sugar foods with low amounts of fruits and vegetables. Even our cup of coffee depletes our magnesium levels.
Stress is also a key in depleting our magnesium levels.
Benefits of Magnesium Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom Salt Magnesium Sulfate baths reduce inflammation and pain. Anything from sore muscles and joints, to ingrown toenails or sprained ankles or chronic disease you will find benefits in soaking. Epsom salts pull out harmful toxins from our body and aids in detoxification. Magnesium is absorbed through the skin. Try soaking 20 mins in a warm bath, add some essential oils like lavender or try deep blue.
Add 1 cup baking soda along with 1 cup of Epsom salts stimulating the detoxification pathways for added benefits. This is used and known to help cancer patients.
Magnesium Benefits
Sleep
Who doesn’t want more sleep? Dr. Mark Hyman says magnesium is the “most powerful relaxation mineral available.” Helping to relax the body and mind. Many researchers now believe that muscle relaxation is necessary for good sleep. Magnesium binds to a specific neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in sleep aids. When you supplement with magnesium, it binds to that and reduces anxiety and promotes sleep.
Fatigue
Magnesium works to help create energy in your body by activating adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Which is essential for our body to function. The more ATP, the more energy, & clarity.
High Blood Pressure
A recent study published showed the lower the magnesium levels in the body, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease. But be warned It is important to have a good balance of calcium and magnesium. Dr. Westen Price Foundation notes:
[M]agnesium shines brightest in cardiovascular health. It alone can fulfill the role of many common cardiac medications: magnesium inhibits blood clots (like aspirin), thins the blood (like Coumadin), blocks calcium uptake (like calcium channel-blocking drugs such as Procardia) and relaxes blood vessels (like ACE inhibitors such as Vasotec)”
Also, noting that well-increased levels of magnesium lower blood pressure, & improved circulation.
Type 2 Diabetes
Low magnesium is routinely found in those with elevated insulin. Diabetes isn’t a result of too much sugar intake but the bodies inability to use or make enough insulin. Regulating insulin and helping the body process is important in keeping diabetes at a distance in your health. Magnesium helps promote health insulin levels in the body. A diet rich in magnesium significantly lowers the risk of diabetes.
Bone Health
When we think of bone health, we immediately think calcium. But magnesium is equally as important. Without magnesium, calcium can not be absorbed and utilized in the body. Under absorption is where you run into osteoporosis, bone fractures, cramping and menstrual problems. Without magnesium, calcium can collect in the soft tissue and can cause arthritis.
Top Foods that are naturally rich in Magnesium
To increase your intake of magnesium, here are some simple ways.
Epsom salt baths absorbed through the skin.
Eating foods that are rich in magnesium, the top list above.
Taking supplements not all magnesium is created equal. The type of supplement determines how and how much our body will absorb the magnesium. Pure Encapsulations – Magnesium (Citrate) is great for improving digestion or for someone who is constipated. Magnesium (Glycinate) is highly absorbable, so if you know you have a deficiency and don’t have a problem with constipation, this will work perfectly for you.
Magnesium also is available in an oil form, a Magnesium Spray chloride oil. Used by athletes, and is quickly absorbed into the body. This is a great one to have on hand, helping with energy, digestion muscle pain, and inflammation.
Symptoms of Deficiency
Anxiety
Hyperactivity
Difficulty Sleeping
Muscle spasms
Muscle cramping
Fibromyalgia
Facial tics/twitches
