The Importance of Magnesium

Why magnesium?

Humans used to absorb much needed magnesium through sweat and walking on the earth but now we take showers daily & wear shoes. Unfortunately our soil and food are depleted of this vital nutrient so most of the population has a magnesium deficiency.

What does your body use it for? 

Many people think this mineral simply helps with tense, tight muscles; but if you answered that question with “nearly everything”, you wouldn’t be too far off, it’s one of nature’s most versatile minerals.  Here’s just quick glimpse of functions that this versatile mineral performs within your body:

• Plays a part in over 300 different metabolic processes

• Helps relax tense and tight muscles & helps them function properly

• Assists with mental relaxation

• Supports strong, healthy bones & aids in Calcium absorption

• Helps maintain healthy heart function

• Supports restful sleep

Are we getting enough?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19-51+ years is as follows:

• 400-420 mg daily for MEN

• 310-320 mg for WOMEN, slightly different if nursing or pregnant

**Each teaspoon of our Magnesium Lotion contains 145 mg elemental magnesium & there are 24 teaspoons per jar.  Elemental magnesium is the amount of actual magnesium within each salt.

Here are a few ways to get it:

1.First step is to look at your diet as it’s best to get your magnesium through magnesium rich foods such as:

• Seeds: Pumpkin (156 mg) or chia seeds (111 mg)

• Nuts: Almonds (80 mg) and cashews (74 mg)

• Greens: Spinach (78 mg)

• Beans: Black beans (60 mg)

• Soy products: Soy milk (61 mg) or edamame (50 mg)

• Protein: Peanut butter, smooth (49 mg)

• Grains: Brown rice (42 mg)

• Seafood: Salmon (26 mg)

• Dairy products: Yogurt (42 mg) and milk (24–27 mg)

• Fruits: Avocados (22 mg) and bananas (32 mg)

2.In addition to diet, you could take a supplement which could lead to stomach discomfort.  This is because magnesium relaxes skeletal muscles, an effect when prolonged in intestinal smooth muscles can cause severe discomfort such as bloating, vomiting, constipation and nausea.

3.Another way is you could use a topical magnesium oil (which is basically chloride & water) and this spray might irritate the skin because there is a strong link between low levels of magnesium in the body and the stinging. In most cases, people who experience this burning sensation during or after applying magnesium spray believe their skin is sensitive to magnesium oil. However, this is not always true. The reasons why magnesium oil can cause skin tingling can be any or the combination of the following:

• Severe deficiency

Magnesium oil causing itchiness can be the sign of low levels of the mineral in your body. Therefore, the more severe the deficiency is, the more severe the sensation. Itchiness is often a side effect when magnesium deficient skin is first introduced to Magnesium Oil. This "urgency reaction" causes the blood vessels to open quickly, creating friction under the skin. This sensation and other side effects should subside when the product is used consistently and the body no longer has the "urgency reaction".

• Too much magnesium at once

Slapping a ton of magnesium oil on your skin can be tempting if you are deficient, however, it is not always the best idea. Suddenly ramping up the amount of magnesium oil you apply may contribute to the stinging sensation. Gradually get your body used to the topical magnesium oil, especially if you are a first-time user.

• Vasodilatation

Magnesium oil acts as the vasodilator that relaxes muscle cells and increases blood flow in capillaries. This may also cause a stinging sensation.

• Salt residue

Once the oil has been absorbed into the skin, it may leave behind a slight residue, which can trigger itchiness for individuals with sensitive skin.

4.Finally, you could apply a topical magnesium lotion which I recommend. It takes a little while to get used to as your skin will feel slightly tingly, but once soaked into your skin, the lotion cools the area. Topical magnesium works wonders for STRESS and ANXIETY & can be applied throughout the day.. just apply to the neck, wrists, chest & feel your body relax.  For nighttime relief, this topical magnesium helps with restless leg syndrome, ADD, great for those suffering with insomnia to allow for a more deep & restful sleep, migraines, helps to balance hormones so it’s great for night sweats and hot flashes, cramps, aching muscles and painful joints.

I am over 40 & have been increasingly restless.  As women approach, dare I say, menopause, we experience a wide range of symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings & difficulty sleeping.  I want to choose natural remedies to manage any symptoms.  There are so many great articles on the importance of magnesium and menopause.  I suggest doing some research & incorporating magnesium in some capacity.

For the kids, apply the lotion to the bottom of their feet before bedtime. They need magnesium for a balanced mood, a deep sleep and the ongoing growth & development that occurs throughout the body.

We make our magnesium oil with magnesium chloride which is naturally occurring on the shores of the Dead Sea.  This chloride is easily absorbed (up to 100%) and put to use, it has a high concentration of magnesium (47%).  There is a difference between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Chloride.  There are even studies that popular Epsom salt brands are synthetically produced, the salt is minimally absorbed by the body, they have low concentrations of magnesium (9-10%) & there are synthetic endocrine disrupting fragrance oils added.  Yikes.  We do make bath products with Epsom Salts but we make sure to use the real thing.

Customers have been going crazy over our Magnesium Lotion and we’ve been hearing so many great reviews.  We have a lavender & vetiver scented one and would love your input on whether or not to introduce an unscented AND a second scent: grapefruit & mint. 

Thoughts?  Please leave your questions & comments below.