Magnesium sulfate

Magnesium sulphate

 


Magnesium is a mineral that comes from the soil¹ and is present in various foods. It plays an important role in proper health because it is a cofactor in over 300 enzyme systems that are responsible for various biological processes, such as:²

• Protein synthesis³
• Muscle and nerve function⁴
• Blood pressure regulation⁵

• Blood sugar control⁶
• Energy production⁷
• Transportation of sodium and potassium into cell membranes⁸

It's clear that magnesium is an essential mineral that everyone should sufficiently have. Sadly, this is not the case for most Americans. It's estimated that almost half of Americans^9,10 are not getting enough magnesium from their diet and are at risk of deficiency, which can lead to various health-related problems.

The many symptoms of magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is a serious cause of concern among Americans today. If your body lacks this mineral, you may develop conditions such as:¹¹

• Fatigue¹²
• Depression¹³
• Diabetes
• Hypertension¹⁴
• Insomnia¹⁵

• Blood clots¹⁶
• Heart disease
• Tooth decay
• Osteoporosis
• Hypoglycemia

Quite simply, your best way to counteract the dangers of magnesium deficiency is to increase your intake of magnesium-rich foods.

Food sources of magnesium

Magnesium can be conveniently increased through your diet. There are many magnesium-rich foods you can eat and enjoy regularly to help optimize your health, such as:

• Avocado — 29 milligrams per 100 grams¹⁷
• Atlantic mackerel — 76 milligrams per 100 grams¹⁸
• Banana — 27 milligrams per 100 grams¹⁹
• Pumpkin and squash seeds — 262 milligrams per 100 grams²⁰
• Spinach — 79 milligrams per 100 grams²¹

Aside from getting your magnesium from foods, taking magnesium supplements can boost your magnesium levels. However, supplements can be very confusing if you're unfamiliar with them. For example, there are different types of magnesium supplements, such as magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate and magnesium sulfate.
The reason for this is because pure magnesium is not easily absorbed by the body, so it must be bound to a carrier substance. All of these products use different carriers depending on the intended purpose and how bioavailable they are. Bioavailability is the amount of magnesium that can be absorbed in your digestive system for your body to use
Remember that when it comes to increasing magnesium, getting it through your diet is the healthiest approach. Supplements may work, but relying on them too much may cause digestive problems because increased magnesium levels have laxative effects.²³ If you still want to try this approach, though, one magnesium supplement you can try is magnesium sulfate, also known as Epsom salt.

 The Benefits of Magnesium Sulphate

One of the main benefits of magnesium sulfate is its potential ability to boost the overall amount of magnesium in your body. To do this, magnesium sulfate is typically dissolved in bathwater, allowing your skin to absorb the substance.²⁴ It may also be taken as a capsule depending on the user's preference.²⁵

In a study conducted at the University of Birmingham in the U.K., 19 healthy participants were asked to soak in magnesium sulfate baths for 12 minutes, and their magnesium levels were measured afterward through blood and urine samples. Results indicated that most of the subjects had increased magnesium concentrations in their plasma, and that consistent bathing increased the concentration further.²⁶

Magnesium sulfate has other uses aside from increasing magnesium levels in the blood. Here are other practical applications of this substance:

• Treatment for preeclampsia — Preeclampsia is a complication that may occur during pregnancy. It is marked by high blood pressure, abnormal function of organs and excess protein in the urine.²⁷
To help treat preeclampsia, magnesium sulfate can be administered intravenously to help reduce the risk of seizures in the mother's body, and is actually one of the most common methods used for those who develop this condition.²⁸ Dosages are strictly controlled in a hospital setting to minimize further complications.²⁹

• Relief from constipation — Magnesium supplements are commonly taken for their laxative effect, and magnesium sulfate has been found to be helpful in this regard. Research suggests that magnesium helps improve bowel movements by pulling more water from your body into the colon.³⁰ After taking a dosage, bowel movement should occur within 30 minutes to six hours.³¹

• Ease asthma symptoms — Asthma is a respiratory condition defined by breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.³² If this condition becomes severe, magnesium sulfate may be administered to provide immediate relief by inducing relaxation in the bronchial smooth muscles.³³
Research suggests that the muscle-relaxing properties of magnesium work by inhibiting calcium influx into the cytosol.³⁴

• Improved muscle recovery — Research has shown that magnesium may benefit muscle recovery after intense physical activity. According to a study in Magnesium Research, magnesium is responsible for oxygen uptake, energy production and electrolyte balance.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that even a slight deficiency in magnesium can already amplify the negative effects of strenuous exercise, such as oxidative stress. Therefore, increasing magnesium intake may help improve physical activity and recovery.³⁵

• Better cognitive function — Magnesium deficiency has been linked to various neurological pathologies such as migraines, depression, epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain and spinal injuries and Parkinson's disease.³⁶

To help prevent the loss of brain function, magnesium sulfate may be utilized. According to a rodent study published in PLoS One, administration of magnesium sulfate in rats helped increase magnesium levels in the brain, as well as reverse impairments in long-term potentiation. In addition, insulin sensitivity had improved