5 Ways To Get More Magnesium & Why You Should!

If I told you that the top selling product from all of my (over 300) blog posts combined was this magnesium lotion, would you believe me?

It’s true. Followed in a somewhat close second place by this dry brush set that I use every day and love.

Together, they’re a pretty powerful combo package to encourage lymphatic drainage and reduce muscle aches and pains.

But, magnesium actually does a lot more than that – which is why I also sometimes drink magnesium or take it in supplements. So, given that it is one of my top recommended supplements for wellness, I felt it was about time for a whole post on the incredible benefits of magnesium.

The Powerful Benefits of Magnesium:

Despite magnesium being a critical nutrient for optimal health, it’s not something that most people have on their radar. In fact, until I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and researching everything I could about natural remedies, I had rarely heard anything about magnesium – ever!

How could it be possible that something so important is rarely known or discussed? Well, the reality is it’s just another way the modern lifestyle and diet have left us deficient in a critical nutrient without even realizing it.

What Does Magnesium Do for the Body?

Truth is, up to 68% or more of us are magnesium deficient or not getting the recommended amount (source). Magnesium is richest in wild fish – and since most of us are not trudging into nearby salt water and catching our fish for dinner – we end up magnesium deficient. Here’s a quick read on signs that you could be magnesium deficient. 

Turns out, this is a rather big deal, since magnesium is necessary for over 600 super important cellular reactions, including regulating blood sugar levels, helping muscles contract, improving sleep, combatting migraines, reducing symptoms of depression, and so many more.

Magnesium is responsible for over 600 reactions in our body. Literally every cell in our body needs it to function properly, which is why a deficiency creates such an issue. Since we don’t have time to talk about all of them, I’ve condensed them into a short list that applies to most people. Here are some of the many ways that magnesium keeps things in our body running smoothly:

• Helps with energy creation
• Helps with healthy skin, hair and nails
• Helps with muscle recovery after workouts – this helps me so much after pilates!!
• Helps with muscles – movements, contractions, etc.
• Helps nervous system regulation – which is why magnesium can be used to help fight anxiety, depression, etc. 
• Helps with Type 2 Diabetes
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Helps reduce inflammation
• Helps prevent migraines and/or headaches
• Helps with insulin resistance
• Helps with PMS symptoms
• Helps with digestive – aka gets things moving!
• Helps with muscle cramps when you’re pregnant
• Helps improve sleep

Do any of those things sound like you? I know I raise my hand for a lot of those. Headaches? Check. PMS? Check. Insulin resistance? Check check check. Need more energy? OMG yes. Chronic joint pain and lower leg cramps? HOLLA!

Oh, and if you’re pregnant and getting those super fun leg cramps in the middle of the night – girl, start rubbing that magnesium lotion all over your legs before you go to sleep! It helps!

5 Ways To Get More Magnesium:

There are 5 solid ways to get more mag in your life. You can combine them in a way that works for you or really focus on being consistent with one major way. It’s much easier and more affordable than you might think – particularly for something that has such a great way to improve your overall wellness in so many areas.

1. Drink Your Magnesium:

The first way I started upping my intake was with this super popular calm drink that has crazy reviews on Amazon. It really does calm you down, help you sleep, and assist with anxiety.

While this drink is certainly effective – I ultimately abandoned this method for a few reasons:

• I started drinking a sleepy tea concoction at night and struggled to drink both the calm and the sleepy tea before falling asleep
• I got sick of the taste
• I started avoiding fillers as much as possible

2. Take Magnesium Supplements:

Sometimes, I also use magnesium supplements when I’m starting to feel I need a little more mag in my life. I have been gravitating towards these lately, but mostly rely on the lotion.

3. Eat Your Magnesium:

Third, you can certainly strive to eat your magnesium in foods. Here’s a list of foods high in magnesium. Personally, I find it easier to eat a healthy, whole foods diet of anti-inflammatory foods and then supplement in key areas where I need more support.

4. Bathe in Magnesium:

Fourth, another way to really get that mag is to take a detox bath that uses bath salts made with magnesium! I actually wrote a detailed post on how to do the most effective detox bath. If you’re just here for the mag – I really love these bath salts with lots of magnesium in them. Just remember you’d have to do this regularly to keep the benefits going. Tough life, right?

5. Use a Magnesium Lotion:

Lastly, and my favorite way to motherload the mag is to use this lotion. For me and other people I have talked to, this is the easiest, most effective way to get the benefits of magnesium very quickly.

Over the years, I’ve tried a number of brands, but always return back to this one. Some magnesium lotions will leave a sticky residue, while others have made me feel shaky. This is the absolute best lotion, in my opinion, so I would really recommend starting with this one. Ancient Minerals is not paying me for this endorsement – but AM, if you’re reading this, call me ;).

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Lotion Ultra is a smooth lotion (not grainy like some are) and quickly absorbs. Made with magnesium chloride and a base of certified organic oils, with MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, which is an organic sulfur compound also known for a multitude of benefits, Ancient Minerals makes high quality products that are fragrance-free, paraben free, and do not contain phenoxyethanol. Also, if you’ve read my post on rating products on the EWG, this scores a 1.

 

This helps a great deal with restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms during pregnancy! (You can’t put a price tag on that!)

I’ve recommended this lotion to friends who struggle with anxiety, chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, etc., – and they all love it.

How To Use Magnesium Lotion:

Don’t you hate it when people talk up a certain product or supplement, but never tell you how they really use it in their day to day lives?

I’m not going to do that to you. Here’s exactly how I use this magnesium lotion at night, right before going to bed:

APPLICATION: Take one pump for each upper arm and one pump of the lotion for each lower leg. So, you’ll use 4 pumps every night. Rub it in until absorbed, which shouldn’t take too long with the brand above. Some will take longer to absorb.

You will not notice a huge difference right away, but there will be small, subtle differences in how calm you are and your ability to sleep with less disruptions from leg cramps, etc.

Sometimes, if you are highly deficient, you’ll feel a small amount of tingling on your skin the first few times you use it. This is normal and will go away. In fact, after using this consistently for awhile, you will start to really notice when you don’t use it before bed. You’ll sleep better, be more relaxed, and be giving your body much needed magnesium.

Typically, I go through about one bottle per month, so you could even subscribe to the plan on Amazon to have it automatically sent to you, although this brand does sell out regularly, which will delay your shipments.

I am seeing more brands coming out with hybrid lotions that combine essential oils for relaxation and magnesium or other powerhouses like CBD or hemp oil with magnesium. I’m certainly open to this concept, I just haven’t tried any of them that I feel confident sharing with you. If I do, I’ll come back and edit this post to include them!

*****

Since this is something I use regularly – if not every day – it’s easy for me to talk it up. You’ll find this lotion and other powerful natural remedies discussed in lots of my posts, like these:

• 5 natural remedies for stomach pain
• 12 Incredible Benefits of Castor Oil Packs
• 10 Anti-Inflammatory Supplements

Have you ever tried magnesium supplements? I’d love to know your experience in the comments below.

Have a fabulous day,

E