Named after a saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, Epsom salts are not actually a salt, but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Yes, you read that right—Epsom salts and magnesium sulfate are one in the same! The salt consists of small, colourless crystals that look similar to table salt. Commonly used by athletes for sore muscles, and by gardeners to increase the growth of plants, Epsom salt has a long history of uses including beauty, cleaning, gardening, and of course—health.
Get your magnesium
The compound is made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. These particles can be absorbed through your skin, providing you with magnesium and sulfates—which both serve important bodily functions. In fact, research shows that many people lack magnesium because its levels are declining in both food and the environment. Including Epsom salt in your daily routine is one easy way to improve your magnesium levels.
According to a scientific review published in 2018, you can have a magnesium deficiency even when your serum magnesium levels are normal. It has been found that most people need an additional 300mg of magnesium per day in order to lower their risk of developing many chronic diseases.
Most of the reported benefits of Epsom salt are attributed to its magnesium content. Magnesium plays multiple roles in the body, including regulating the activity of hundreds of enzymes, reducing inflammation, and assisting muscle and nerve function. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, and can help ease migraine-type headaches.
Why Epsom salts?
For hundreds of years, Epsom salts have been used to soothe the body, particularly in Epsom salt baths. Some of the health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, aiding skin problems, easing sore muscles, healing cuts, and soothing aching limbs and back pain. Taking warm baths can also help reduce stress and promote better sleep. Epsom salts are a powerful addition to healthy relaxation routine.
Studies have found that magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin, making Epsom salt baths and applying Epsomgel to the skin ideal ways to enjoy the health benefits, especially relating to pain.
Benefits of Epsom salts
– Provides magnesium
– Promotes sleep
– Reduces stress
– Exercise performance and recovery
– Eases sore muscles
– Reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation
Say goodbye to pain
According to results of the 2007-2008 Canadian Community Health Survey, about one in 10 Canadians aged 12–44 (9% of males and 12% of females), an estimated 1.5 million people, experiences chronic pain.
For those committed to fitness, Epsom salts can reduce muscle soreness, an important factor in both exercise performance and recovery, with the added benefit that adequate magnesium levels help your body to use both glucose and lactic acid.
According to Medical News Today/ITC, an Epsom salt bath can not only provide relief from pain, but it can also reduce swelling in people living with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and fibromyalgia. In addition, low levels of magnesium can ease the pain in people with arthritis.
More Inspiration: Some nuts also contain magnesium, like almonds. Check this article out.
