Goodness, it’s hot and we’re all sweating (or “glowing” as they say here in the South). When you sweat, your magnesium level can get dangerously low. Here’s 5 reasons why you need more magnesium in the summer.
Why Do I Need Magnesium?
Your body uses magnesium for over 300 different functions that are crucial to keep your body running smoothly.
So why do you need extra magnesium in the summer? When you sweat, you lose minerals and electrolytes that maintain your body’s delicate balance. When that balance is upset, you may not feel very good and you’re not sure why.
Here is what’s going on:
- Magnesium helps maintain proper blood pressure and helps keep your heart beating steadily.
- You feel lethargic. Hot weather tends to make a lot of folks lethargic, but low magnesium can make this worse.
- Muscle cramps and twitches especially after working in the garden or exercising.
- You may have more headaches. Magnesium aids in blood flow (and muscle relaxation) and a deficiency may cause tension headaches.
- Constipation. Yuck. Magnesium is very helpful for constipation. If you’re hot and sweating a lot, you might not be drinking enough water to maintain regularity.
How To Easily Get More Magnesium Every Day
It’s easy to get more of this vital mineral every day without taking yet another supplement. You get magnesium in foods such as dark chocolate, peanuts, kale and spinach and by using magnesium oil.
If you’re not into greens, use it in oil or butter form. Actually, it’s really not an oil but a “brine”. It’s odorless and absorbs quickly. I spritz the oil two times every day but there’s one word of caution.
You don’t want to spray it on freshly shaven skin because it will tingle and burn. Spray it on your lower belly or butt cheeks. That’s where you have adipose tissue that will absorb the magnesium easily.
One way around that is to use it in a butter or “balm” form. You can apply this directly to your legs especially if you have restless leg syndrome.
This is one of those times where it’s important to pay attention to your body especially as you get older and the hotter it gets. Bonus points here: it also helps keep your immune system strong – that’s real important right now!
Take good care of yourself this summer! Let me know if you have any questions – you can fill out a short contact form, send an email or give me a shout on the phone.
Many blessings and be well!
Melissa
