Magnesium - The Body's Catalyst
I've been trialling Magnesium this week and the results have surprised me.
This is not to say that it's new knowledge per se, but that I've actually managed to do something about the knowledge I have and actually produce results which I'm happy with, which I suppose is far more interesting that just understanding the theory of something.
Magnesium is one of those substances that we really should get from our food - it shouldn't be necessary to take additional substances, but by the findings of most studies, between 65 and 75% of the UK population is deficient. This means, that for almost all of us, it would be a good idea to check levels, and if you're someone who's clearly sensitive to the effects which these deficiencies can have (as I am), it's silly to ignore them.
Effects of Magnesium
Magnesium is a trace metal that is extremely helpful in the body for as many as 400 processes in the body. It helps the body to assimilate and absorb other elements such as calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D etc. It is also vital to mental and emotional health, proper sleep, healthy cell function, bone health and, inflammation.
As with all supplements, here is my obligatory word of caution: in common with many trace elements and minerals, too much is just as bad as too little and over-exposure can have risks, so please make your own decision based on the information I'm providing based on your own circumstances - it won't be right for everybody.
Why is (Almost) Everyone Deficient?
We're deficient because:
a) there's far less magnesium in our food than there used to be - modern processing removes much if not all magnesium, therefore we're just not getting the same amount that we might have done 100 years ago
b) many foods in the standard western diet actually cause us to leach magnesium. The phosphates in carbonated drinks and processed foods bind to magnesium molecules which means that they cannot be absorbed by the body. Processed sugar actively leaches magnesium from our kidneys, as does alcohol and caffeine intake
c) many common medications - including the contraceptive pill, diuretics, asthma medication, heart medication all cause the body to leach magnesium
What were the Findings from My Study
I've tried taking magnesium over a couple of years now, and it's never worked out that successfully for me.
Tablets: If I take a decent dose of oral supplements (tablets), my body just rebels. Let's remember that magnesium is the main ingredient in Epsom Salts - which is what your grandmother would likely have been given by her mother as a remedy for constipation, so it's no wonder that my stomach simply said "no", with a pretty emphatic diuretic response! I've tried to integrate it slowly, but, for my body, there is just no having it!
Epsom Salt Baths: these sound like a great way to relax, unwind and give your body some extra healing at the same time - magnesium can be absorbed transdermally (through the skin), which means this is a great option and avoids the problems I mention above relating to gastro-disturbance. I know that for lots readers, the idea of an extra reason to spend time in the bath would be great, but the only problem for me is that I'm just not the kind of girl to get into a bath and lie there for 20mins (which is probably the minimum you would need to get a decent amount of absorption going on). I just get bored, don't find it at all relaxing and want to just get washed and get out again. I realise this sets me apart from probably 99% of all the women on the planet, but that's just how it is for me, so daily or even 3 times weekly baths are just not going to happen. I should mention, however, that I love showers, so don't think I walk around scuzzy and unwashed!!!!!! Just saying, for the record..... Anyway, Epsom salt baths are not for me.
Magnesium Oil Spray: in theory, this should've worked great from the off, but it never has done. The oil isn't unpleasant, but it doesn't work great under smart clothes for work or under jeans, as it doesn't soak in fast enough, so I just didn't do it. I tried keeping it on my work desk in the hope that I would therefore apply it through the day - that didn't happen either, even in the few weeks of the British year when you're wearing the kind of clothes that would make this possible.
All of this meant that despite knowing that I really should be taking some magnesium, I wasn't really getting it done.
So, what changed:
Magnesium Oil Phase 2: Listening to a webinar with Christa Orecchio as part of the the Paleohacks conference on women's weight loss (the whole conference was excellent, by the way). In amongst many topics discussed, I took away a little snippet in which she reiterated the importance of getting enough magnesium (yeah, I thought, sigh), but then, she mentioned applying it before bed in order to aid sleep. Ding! Lightbulb moment!!! So that's what I've been doing. For a week now, I've been slapping on the oil as I get into bed and I'm really reaping the benefits.
Findings from my Experiment
So, the primary, most immediate and astonishing feedback is that I've had the best sleep I've had THIS CENTURY (sorry to shout!). I had forgotten it was possible to sleep this well - I certainly know that I haven't had 7 nights of consecutive great sleep for well over a decade at least. The only thing I've changed is the magnesium. Furthermore, one night I had a few (OK, more than a few) drinks, and this would normally disturb my sleep - it didn't at all. Another night I forgot to take my evening dose of Metformin - almost without fail, cue a very sleepless night but I didn't realise until I looked at the pack until the morning that my evening dose was still there waiting for me!
Next Steps
OK, I realise it's only a week, it might wear off. I'll update this post in around 3 months so you can read how I got on from here, but the initial findings are what I would call "most encouraging". Thanks to Christa for the advice. Let's hope the effects continue!
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