5 Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many of the body's functions. It is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including the regulation of muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. Unfortunately, many people do not get enough magnesium in their diet, which can lead to a variety of health issues. Magnesium helps to:

1.    Promotes Relaxation and Sleep: Magnesium has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. It helps to calm the nervous system and relax the muscles, which can lead to a more restful night's sleep.

2.    Supports Cardiovascular Health: Magnesium plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. It helps to regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of heart disease.

3.    Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Magnesium can help to reduce stress and anxiety by calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation. It also helps to regulate cortisol levels, a hormone that is associated with stress.

4.    Improves Bone Health: Magnesium is essential for maintaining healthy bones. It helps to regulate calcium levels in the body and is involved in the formation and maintenance of bone tissue.

5.    Boosts Energy and Performance: Magnesium is involved in the production of ATP, which is the body's primary source of energy. It can also improve exercise performance by reducing muscle fatigue and increasing endurance.

Our body lotion contains magnesium chloride, an essential, bio-available form of magnesium that is important for maintaining optimal health. More on the various forms of magnesium below. Our Pure magnesium lotion is formulated to be easily absorbed through the skin by using specific carrier oils that mimic the skins natural sebum in order to enhance penetration through hair follicles. It’s gentle enough for daily use, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished. Providing the support your body deserves.

However, it is important to maintain a balanced diet to ensure that you are getting the necessary nutrients, including magnesium, that your body needs. While magnesium body lotion can be a part of your health and wellness routine, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements or products to your routine.

Here are some other ways to ensure you are getting enough magnesium in your diet

Top food sources for magnesium include:

• Seeds such as pumpkin (156mg) and chia (111mg)

• Spinach leaves (74mg)

• Black beans (60mg)

• Soy milk (61mg0 or edamame (50mg) and Tofu

• Peanut butter (49mg)

• Brown rice (42mg)

• Seafood such as salmon (26mg)

• Dark chocolate

• Avocados

It should come as no surprise that our modern lifestyles can rapidly drain our magnesium stores. Refined and processed foods, certain medications, lack of sleep, chemical stressors such as coffee, alcohol and smoking/vaping and pollution. It goes without saying that avoiding most chemical, physical and mental stressors on the body would certainly help. But if you are like most mere-humans and live in the 20th century then recognising a potential magnesium deficiency and supplementing with whole foods can certainly help. Food will always be your most reliable, most bio-available source. More on magnesium deficiency in my next blog article ;)

The various forms of Magnesium:

Magnesium supplements are available in a variety of forms, each with it’s unique benefits and uses. The absorption of the various forms of magnesium varies. Some dissolve well in liquid, others are absorbed well in the gut and some are less soluble. It’s a fairly complex science so it’s no wonder we struggle with poor absorption and magnesium deficiency. Here is a bit more information on the various forms and bio-availability of magnesium:

Magnesium Chloride:

One of the most bio-available forms of magnesium. Magnesium chloride, as the name ‘chloride’ / ‘salt’ suggests, is derived from the evaporation of seawater. It’s often used in supplementation and as a treatment for magnesium deficiency. Magnesium chloride is water-soluble making is wonderful and easy to use in topical/ transdermal applications. This is the form of magnesium we use in all our formulations at Aroma Lab.

Magnesium Glycinate:

The most popular and beneficial form of magnesium for anxiety and people who have trouble sleeping. Magnesium glycinate is highly bio-available and readily absorbed in the gut, especially as a water-soluble drink.

Magnesium Oxide:

Probably one of the most well-known forms of magnesium, highly concentrated but with low bio-availability. Magnesium Oxide absorbs relatively poorly in the body. It’s frequently used as a dietary supplement but it may nor the most effective.

Magnesium Citrate:

Interestingly this form of magnesium is found in citrus fruits, giving it that tart, sour flavour that I associate with making Sherbert. Magnesium citrate is one of the most common supplement formulations found in stores worldwide. Also being fairly bio-available it’s typically ingested to replenish low magnesium levels and due to it’s laxative effect, is sometimes used to treat constipation.

Magnesium L- Threonate:

Most well-known form of magnesium to support brain health and cognitive function largely due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Research has also found that Magnesium Threonate may help reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Magnesium L-threonate is yet another salt-form, derived from mixing magnesium and threonic acid, a water-soluble substance obtained from the metabolic breakdown on vitamin C.

Magnesium lactate:

Another salt variety of magnesium found when magnesium binds with lactic acid. Frequently used as a food additive to fortify beverages and regulate acidity. It’s less popular as a dietary supplement, yet is easily absorbed in the digestive tract and gentler on the digestive system than other forms of magnesium. Some studies have even revealed that this form magnesium may help treat stress and anxiety.

Then there are even more forms of magnesium including Magnesium Malate, Sulfate, Taurate and Orotate (more on these a little later). As you can see, the study of the magnesium and its various forms is fairly complex and although magnesium is abundant, we remain notoriously deficient due to it’s complicated bio-availability and intricate nature. Possibly the best answer, as always is “variety is key”. - Until later- Michelle Ackerman (Clinical Aromatherapist)