Myth 1: Magnesium Causes Digestive Distress
It's not uncommon to hear that magnesium supplements can lead to digestive discomfort. The culprit here lies in the osmotic effect of magnesium in the gastrointestinal tract.
When you swallow a magnesium supplement, whether it's in pill or powder form, your body reacts by bringing in extra water to help break down these supplements in the intestines. This reaction is the body's way of trying to balance the concentration of magnesium particles in the supplement with the fluid in the intestines. As a result, a rush of water enters the intestines, causing an increase in intestinal fluid volume. This surge can make you feel full, bloated, and uncomfortable.
The intestines, forced to stretch and expand to accommodate this extra fluid, end up disrupting the normal digestive process. The increased fluid overwhelms the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients effectively, leading to a swift transit of undigested material through the digestive system. This, in turn, may result in diarrhoea.
In simpler terms, taking oral magnesium supplements can lead to discomfort as your body brings in extra water, causing bloating and interfering with the normal digestive process.
But fear not, there's a remedy – enter topical application. By using a magnesium oil spray, you skip the digestive drama altogether. Magnesium is absorbed directly into your tissues, swiftly dispersed into cells, and circulated where it's needed most. So, rest assured, not all magnesium experiences end in digestive discomfort.
Myth 2: Magnesium Should Only Be Used At Night
Magnesium is often praised for helping us relax and sleep better at night. While this is true, let's not limit its benefits to just bedtime. Magnesium works throughout the day to keep our stress levels in check.
Our body responds to stress through two systems: the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the "fight or flight" response, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and calmness. These systems work together to maintain our overall well-being.
Magnesium plays a key role in balancing these systems. It helps regulate the sympathetic nervous system, preventing it from getting overly active during stressful times. Additionally, magnesium supports the parasympathetic nervous system, ensuring a constant state of calmness and relaxation. Its impact goes beyond moderation; magnesium helps smoothly shift between the two systems, promoting overall nervous system health.
Including magnesium in our daily routine is a simple way to manage stress, and its benefits extend beyond just bedtime. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol, a stress hormone linked to the sympathetic nervous system, contributing to our well-being by keeping our autonomic nervous system in balance. Whether it's preventing excessive stress responses or aiding a quick switch to a relaxed state guided by the parasympathetic nervous system, magnesium is a valuable ally in keeping our nervous system resilient and harmonious.
Myth 3: All Magnesium Is the Same
Think of magnesium like a diverse cast of characters, each with its own unique traits and quirks. Not all magnesiums are created equal, and understanding these differences is key to unlocking their full potential.
"When I first started this journey I was under so much stress and my body was so out of whack that I couldn't take any magnesium at all. It just went straight through me because my digestive system was so wound up it was unable to absorb anything. I was reacting to food, I was very fatigued but wasn't able to sleep (all of the symptoms that I needed magnesium in my body) but when I would take it orally it made me much more uncomfortable I had pains I was rushing to the toilet in the morning, I could tell it was just going straight through me" - Salt Lab Founder Clementine.
If one magnesium type isn't your perfect match, fear not. Experiment with different forms, whether gentler oral options or topical applications, until you find the one that resonates with your body. Our founder's journey serves as a testament to the importance of being magnesium-savvy. So, embrace the variety, ask questions, and tailor your magnesium experience to suit your unique needs. Your well-being deserves it.