THE POWER OF MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our body, first being calcium. Yet many people do not get enough of it.

It is a natural substance that aids with energy levels, muscle strength, flexibility, sleep and stress management.

Healthy magnesium levels can boost brain nurotransmitters that are responsible for inducing sleep and reducing stress. It helps to balance and control stress hormones and is particularly important for production of serotonin, which is responsible for relaxing the nervous system. A lack of magnesium can affect our sleep also because it balances the sleep regulating hormone- melatonin.

Also, most of the body’s energy comes from ATP, a molecule that captures chemical energy from food and uses it to fuel other processes in the body and most production of it depends on magnesium.

Lack of magnesium in the body, among other issues, may also lead to spasms and painful muscle contractions, known as cramps which are often caused by excessive build-up of calcium in muscles. Lack of magnesium in the body is often manifested with nocturnal leg spasms and twitches. Since the both minerals bind with the same proteins within the muscle, good levels of magnesium help to keep the absorption of calcium balanced.

There are various types of magnesium and some are to be taken orally while others are to be used externally.

Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulphate: magnesium, sulphur and oxygen. It has an appearance similar to table or Himalayan salt but it taste isn’t very palatable and is not really recommended to be consumed.