Magnesium
Oh Magnesium, where would we be without you?
Magnesium, known as the 'Original chill pill" is a staple item in our household. Back when I was a nursing student, I remember learning about the functions that Magnesium plays in our bodies. It wasn't until I was diagnosed with Panic disorder, that I truely appreciated the powder that Magnesium holds. Magnesium helped me reduce my stress and get some much needed sleep (and still does).
Our bodies need magnesium for over 300 cellular functions! And yet, most of us don’t have enough magnesium to ensure our body can get on with the job properly.
Magnesium is depleted by coffee, alcohol, and pharmaceutical drugs. It is also not readily available in our soil as it once was. When we get stressed, we lose even more magnesium through our wee. So if you are stressed, boosting your magnesium level can be a good idea.
Using magnesium topically is a great way to boost your magnesium levels and help calm you system - and it absorbs faster through the skin.
Magnesium is great for stress, tension, cramps and anxiety. It has major natural anti-anxiety powers and works to quieten down the excitability of our nerves in our muscles, heart and brain.
Magnesium works in all sorts of ways throughout our bodies. Here are just a few ways it can help you feel better, recover faster, sleep better, and feel good.
Healthy muscles||
Magnesium relieves sore muscles, relaxes tension, and supports muscles to work at their best for maximum contraction and relaxation. A magnesium deficiency can cause muscle weakness.
Reduces pain||
Along with soothing tense muscles, Magnesium is also great for general pain, including nerve pain, and inflammation. Used topically, Magnesium can help reduce back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. A recent study found that magnesium helps to calm a chemical that creates pain in the body!
Happy legs||
Magnesium can help with cramps in your legs and feet, as well as calming restless leg syndrome and growing pains.
Strong bones and teeth||
Enough magnesium is essential to ensure you absorb calcium effectively. So when we get low in magnesium, calcium isn’t absorbed as well (hello osteoporosis!)
Healthy hormones||
Magnesium is key to many major hormonal processes in the body. It can help relieve PMS, cramps, and period pain. A 1995 study found that 95% (yes 95%) of women had less weight gain and less breast pain before their periods when boosting their magnesium levels. Massage some cream or oil directly onto your lower abdominal to help relieve some discomfort if you suffer from period pain. It can also be used during labour to help ease back pain.
Better sleep||
Magnesium oil or cream right before you go to bed can help improve the quality of your sleep. Magnesium relaxes muscles and the part of the brain and nervous system, which makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Healthy skin||
Magnesium can help with a wide variety of skin problems including oily skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
Heart happy||
Our heart is really just a big muscle and magnesium together with potassium, is key to regulating our hearts rhythm. Severe magnesium deficiency has been linked to heart attack and heart disease. People admitted to hospital with heart attack or needing bypass surgery are often given IV magnesium to get their levels back up to a healthy level. Studies have also shown that supplementing with magnesium can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension.
Migraine relief||
Magnesium works to reduce the frequency of migraines and migraine pain.
We recommend massaging Magnesium oil or cream into your feet before sleeping. Magnesium is best absorbed topically as ourskin is the largest organ. Taking Magnesium orally can result in loose bowel motions. You can also massage it directly into the area of cramp/growing pain. Magnesium used topically can feel itchy on the skin. This is normal. It reduces over time when using the product. (Just avoid using it on any broken skin or areas after shaving) We recommend massaging it into your feet as you won't find it so itchy on the skin, plus it is greatly absorbed through the feet.