Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths

Most of us know about the importance of iron and calcium for our bodies but what about magnesium? It is the second most abundant element in human cells and the fourth most important positively charged ion in our body. It helps our body regulate over 325 enzymes and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions, like your muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production and your elimination of harmful toxins.

Most of us are deficient in magnesium, so I’m going to put on my

wise-granny hat on here and tell you this: soaking in a bath with Epsom salt, which is high in magnesium, is one of the easiest ways to get a boost.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, your magnesium deficiency helps to account for high rates of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a number of other ailments.  

Who knew?!

Our magnesium levels have dropped by half in the last century due to changes in agriculture and diet. Industrial farming has depleted magnesium from soil and your typical American diet contains much less magnesium than that of our forefathers. In fact, the modern American diet with its fat, sugar, salt and protein actually works to speed up the depletion of magnesium from our bodies.

Another factor in decreased magnesium levels has been our focus on getting enough calcium. It’s a delicate dance–calcium depletes magnesium yet calcium functions best when enough magnesium is present in your body. Studies indicate that your taking a calcium supplement without enough magnesium can increase the shortage of both nutrients. Researchers have found that many Americans have 5 times as much calcium as magnesium in their bodies, although the proper ratio for optimum absorption of both minerals in your body is two to one.

With such widespread magnesium deficiency one might think that magnesium supplements would be called upon, but studies show that magnesium is not easily absorbed through your digestive tract. The presence of specific foods or drugs, certain medical conditions, and the chemistry of one’s stomach acid can render magnesium supplements ineffective.

This brings us to Epsom salt. Known scientifically as hydrated magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is rich in both magnesium and sulfate. While both magnesium and sulfate can be poorly absorbed through your stomach, studies show increased magnesium levels from your soaking in a

bath enriched with Epsom salt!  Magnesium and sulfate are both easily absorbed through your skin. Sulfates play an important role in your formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of your digestive tract. They stimulate your pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help you detoxify your body of medicines and environmental contaminants.

Researchers and physicians suggest these health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:

• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of your arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering your blood pressure.
• Improved ability for your body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from your cells, easing muscle pain and helping your body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is your main conductor for electrical current in your body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in your blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium,  a natural stress reliever, from your body. Magnesium is necessary for your body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within your brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve your pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients in your body.
• Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

All this from a bath? Hurray! While there are many different brands of Epsom salt, they are all the same product chemically, and can be found at most of your local drug stores. Add two cups of Epsom salt and you soak for at least 12 minutes. Do this 3 times weekly.

If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, please check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.

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I found this to be great info & will definitely buy Epsom salts as I have osteoporosis & joint pain. If it helps me, that would be wonderful! If it helps me absorb the calcium I take better, that would also be a plus! I will keep you posted on how I feel after I’ve used it. Does anyone out there take Epsom salt baths? I’d love to hear from you about it…

*** One last note: I’ve a button on the right for a newsletter, but I don’t believe it is live yet. I am still “tech” challenged (doubt that will ever change 🙂 ) & I am figuring this out. I’ll let you know when it is live… Thanks for your patience! ***

Have a great day!