Magnesium Chloride: A-Z

Magnesium chloride is becoming an increasingly popular health and beauty choice. It makes good sense as magnesium is known to be responsible for over six hundred chemical reactions within the human body. Magnesium chloride benefits range from soothing aching muscles, relieving depression and rejuvenating skin.

If you are asking yourself what is magnesium chloride exactly, the answer is that magnesium chloride is a type of salt that is soluble in water. Magnesium is a critical mineral that aids over six hundred bodily functions. The mineral salt can be extracted from salt water or mined from ancient sea beds like the Zechstein seabed.

What is magnesium used for in the body

Magnesium is a critical mineral that the body requires to properly function. It is needed to perform hundreds of functions these include:

• Protein synthesis
• Control of blood glucose levels
• Proper muscle and nerve function
• Regulate blood pressure
• Helps to develop bone structure
• Synthesise DNA
• Synthesise RNA
• Synthesise the antioxidant glutathione
• Aids the transport of potassium and calcium ions to aid nerve impulses, muscle contraction and heartbeat rhythm

The body cannot produce magnesium naturally, so men need to obtain 420 milligrams of magnesium per day through their diet or other means while women need to obtain up to 360 milligrams per day. It is estimated that nearly 80% of the adult population have some sort of magnesium deficiency.

There are several ways to replenish magnesium levels - either through diet, supplements or by absorbing it through the skin. Western diets are not packed with magnesium and while supplements are an alternative, some people tend to shy away because of the laxative effect - that’s where magnesium chloride flakes make an excellent choice for naturally absorbing magnesium in a healthy relaxing way.

Magnesium Chloride Benefits

Magnesium can be ingested or absorbed through the skin. Either way the mineral has many health benefits . These include:

• Many beauty benefits that relate to skin care and clearing up skin complexions 
• Improved physical performance as muscles subjected to exercise need up to 20% more magnesium than muscles in a relaxed state.
• Correct magnesium levels are critical for brain function and links have been drawn between low magnesium levels, depression and mood.
• Helps with the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes.
• May help to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure levels.
• Helps to fight inflammation. Research has demonstrated that magnesium helps to reduce the inflammatory marker CRP.
• May help to reduce the effects of migraines. Research has shown that there may be a link between low magnesium levels and persistent migraines.
• Helps to improve the ability of the liver and muscles to process sugar and absorb it into the bloodstream. This will help to reduce insulin resistance.
• There is some evidence to show that proper magnesium levels can reduce water retention, improve mood and relieve other symptoms commonly associated with women suffering PMS.

Beauty benefits from magnesium chloride

Whether it is applied topically as  magnesium oil or alternatively absorbed through the skin while soaking in a magnesium chloride bath, the magnesium benefits for skin are numerous. The beauty benefits of magnesium include:

• Reduce skin inflammation by improving cellular processes, addressing hormonal imbalances and helping to lower cortisol levels.
• As it aids relaxation and can assist in relieving stress, it can have the flow on positive effect of reducing stress related skin conditions like rosacea and acne. Magnesium acne care is becoming a more well known method of treating acne and certainly increased magnesium levels will assist in reducing acne.
• Improved elasticity and moisture of skin resulting in less wrinkles and promoting a softer younger complexion
• Better circulation and blood flow resulting in improved complexion. Poor circulation can cause skin to become blotchy and uneven - magnesium helps to facilitate better blood circulation
• Has a soothing effect on skin conditions such as acne, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis
• Aids in DNA replication which helps you to maintain a more youthful look.

Magnesium for muscle recovery

Besides being popular with the beauty industry,  magnesium chloride has been building a huge following with the health and fitness community as more and more people become aware of the amazing restorative and recuperative powers of the mineral.

Nearly every cell within the body relies upon magnesium to function properly and this is particularly relevant for cells contained within muscles during and after intense exercise.

The nature of intense exercise causes the body’s magnesium levels to drop as magnesium acts as an electrolyte stimulating electrical impulses that create actions such as muscles contracting. When the exercising ceases, magnesium continues functioning, as it helps to replenish red blood cells, prevent muscle cramps,and reduce inflammation. These recuperative qualities make magnesium helpful in rebuilding and repairing muscles.

Taking a magnesium chloride bath is a great way for athletes to naturally restore magnesium levels as the bath helps the absorption process. This transdermal absorption process will help to restore magnesium levels and assist with reducing inflammation, restoring blood cells, and preventing cramping muscle spasms.

Magnesium chloride uses - elevate your bath time

Being soluble, magnesium chloride is widely used as a bath salt for a relaxing full body bath or for a foot soak. In fact, a soak in the bath is perhaps the best way to absorb magnesium and allow your body to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of this vital mineral.

To get the maximum benefits from a relaxing bath it is recommended that you add about two standard cups full of magnesium chloride flakes to a standard sized bath full of warm water. If you have a larger bath, you may need to double the dose. Give the magnesium time to work its magic by allowing at least twenty minutes for a thorough full body soak. If you are trying to relieve persistent symptoms repeat this process between three and four times a week.

Taking a relaxing bath with  magnesium chloride bath flakes will also help in promoting a deep restful sleep

Foot baths are widely accepted to have therapeutic and relaxing powers. Adding some magnesium chloride flakes to a foot bath will add to this experience.

If you would like to try a foot bath, fill your tub with warm water. Add approximately three quarters of a cup for every 10 litres of water. Allow the flakes to dissolve and then just soak up the goodness for a full twenty minutes. As with the full bath, you can repeat this process three to four times per week if you are trying to alleviate persistent symptoms.

Be aware that very hot baths may affect the effectiveness of the minerals, so if you do enjoy especially hot baths, it would be a good idea to dial the heat level back a little.

The restorative and healing powers of magnesium chloride are becoming more well known and taking the time to incorporate the mineral into your life either by absorbing it through bathing or adding supplements to your diet will help you to live a healthier life.

Visit the  Buy Organics Online website today to view the range of magnesium chloride products available in flake or spray form.