The Foundational Nutrient For Athletes
Athletes are at greater risk for a mineral deficiency, and that is particularly true for magnesium. One reason is because one of the easiest ways to lose magnesium is through sweat.
Importance of Transdermal Magnesium
As you sweat, you’re losing magnesium and other vital minerals. In addition, you’ll be sweating out electrolytes, and of course water, too. These losses mean that a ratio of calcium to magnesium will be changing in the body. The percentage of calcium will increase, and since calcium is a muscle contractor, the muscles cramp.
The RDA for magnesium is about 400 mg of elemental magnesium. Nevertheless, many people need much more than that. If you don’t have sufficient amounts of magnesium within the body, you can experience heart palpitations, leg cramps, and twitchy muscles. However, if you take a daily dose all at one time in pill form, the magnesium can overwhelm your intestines and cause a laxative effect
One of the best ways to use magnesium chloride is transdermally absorbed through the skin. This is absorbed slowly and effectively into your body instead of running through your intestines.
The need for magnesium will vary from person to person. Don’t be surprised if you need a certain amount of the mineral while others need twice as much. Also, there is a greater requirement for magnesium during periods of stress, heavy athletic activity, or physical work. The best way to achieve a healthy magnesium level, even during times of excess stress of activity, is with daily usage of transdermal magnesium.
Effects of Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium relaxes muscles and calcium contracts them. Magnesium is the gatekeeper that allows only a small (but necessary) amount of calcium into a cell and then forces it out. But when this process goes wrong, most people experience the effects of calcium-magnesium imbalance resulting in cramps and muscle fatigue.
Magnesium deficiency causes muscle and nerve twitches and cramps. It’s a condition that is almost impossible to live with. And if you participate in sports, cramping can be very serious. It can cause injuries and can sideline an athlete from a competition.
Magnesium is the most important nutrient for athletes to enhance performance, prevent lactic buildup, and decrease recovery time.
Magnesium - The Stress Mineral
Magnesium is a simple mineral that is often overlooked for more sensational, and expensive supplements. Regardless of what you add on top of it, magnesium is part of the foundational nutrition that all athletes need.
Magnesium is the ‘stress mineral’ and is needed for about 325 different chemical processes within the body. The body uses a lot of magnesium to handle physical stress, chemical stress, and mental stress. Of course, athletes are under tremendous amounts of stress, and so magnesium is vital for them to perform at their best.