Magnesium: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful
Note: Please consult your doctor if you are concerned about your magnesium levels and before taking any supplements. This information is not to be used as medical advice.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that the body needs for various functions. It is not produced naturally in the body and is usually introduced by the foods you eat.
Many people take magnesium supplements to ensure they are getting an adequate amount. Magnesium can come as a topical application and can be found in skincare and all-natural products such as deodorant.
We don’t appreciate magnesium for all that it does for the body — until we face a deficiency of the mineral. When this happens, you could experience muscle spasms, hormone issues, irritability, fatigue, poor memory and more.
If you suspect you aren’t getting enough or you’re considering increasing your consumption of magnesium, the following are some factors that you need to look at:
The Good
Magnesium has different healing properties and benefits that help your body on many levels. Here are some ways in which magnesium helps your body:
- Improved Sleep — Magnesium helps to stabilize the production of melatonin in the body. This hormone is responsible for inducing a healthy sleep cycle. Magnesium also cuts down on the production of stress hormones which reduces issues with insomnia.
- Good for the Nervous System — Magnesium enhances the production of serotonin, which is responsible for healthy function of the nervous system. With its help, you can be calmer, react less to stress and be in a better mood.
- Helps with Osteoporosis — Osteoporosis occurs when your bones suffer from brittleness due to a lack of calcium production. With the help of magnesium, the body absorbs calcium and maintains healthy bones. It also helps to cushion joints and improves overall bone health in the body.
- Improves Enzyme Function — Healthy amounts of magnesium can help enhance secretion of insulin in the body. For those who are diabetic, magnesium can help the body better absorb insulin.
With so many benefits to offer, it’s surprising how few people pay attention to their magnesium levels.
The Bad
Like everything else, magnesium can have a few downsides. Some estimates say that 90% of us are deficient in magnesium. I’ve already touched on what could happen when you don’t get enough magnesium, but what happens when you get too much?
Overconsumption of magnesium can cause a condition known as hypermagnesemia. This is identified by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, muscle weakness, and overall lethargy.
In severe cases, it can cause urine retention, irregular heartbeat, respiratory problems, low blood pressure and more. It is always advised that you use magnesium supplements after consulting your physician and following their guidelines.
The Beautiful
The beautiful part about magnesium is that you can even use it in organic skincare products. Topical application of magnesium oils and creams can be much easier than swallowing a daily supplement for some people.
When added to all-natural skincare, you not only get the benefits of the magnesium, but you also get the benefits of the other organic ingredients.
When we reformulated our deodorant at Primal Life Organics, we turned to magnesium to help fight smelly armpits. Our original formula was made with baking soda. It’s a very common ingredient in all-natural deodorants that helps neutralize odor. However, many people can develop a painful, itchy rash under their arms when baking soda disrupts their pH balance.
Topically applying magnesium helps to efficiently deodorize the body. Even better, it won’t disrupt your natural, balanced pH. That means no rashes!
Combined with other natural ingredients, such as activated charcoal, virgin coconut oil, arrowroot powder and essential oils, we’ve created one of the best chemical-free deodorants out there. Now you can work up a sweat without the fear of stinking afterward.
Magnesium is one of our new favorite ingredients to use. Do you use it in any way? Let me know in the comments below.
