Women, especially women who have Type 2 diabetes, often suffer magnesium deficiencies. An easy way to counteract those deficiencies is to use Epsom salts, not as a nutritional supplement, but in the bath.
Why women who have Type 2 diabetes need magnesium: Scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles have discovered that just a small amount of magnesium in the diet, just 100 mg a day, is enough to stop the inflammation that causes tightening of your blood vessels and high blood pressure. Since inflammation also drives the development of Type 2 diabetes and the storage of belly fat, getting more magnesium is of great value to women’s health.
Magnesium is also essential to bone health: Calcium and magnesium complement each other. Women who take calcium without magnesium have low calcium levels even if they take calcium supplements, but women who take just magnesium are able to maintain normal calcium levels even if they do not take calcium supplements. Magnesium helps your body keep calcium levels healthy all over your body and especially in your bones.
Getting magnesium from food: It’s not hard for women to get the magnesium they need from food, especially if they enjoy green leafy vegetables. Two to three servings of green leafy vegetables out of five to nine total servings of fruits and vegetables each and every day is enough to provide a woman’s body with the magnesium she needs. But women who do not eat their greens may need to take supplements.
Getting magnesium from supplements: Magnesium supplements are safe, effective, and inexpensive. There’s just one problem. They can cause loose bowels. There is, however, a completely safe way to get the levels of this mineral a woman’s body needs.
Getting magnesium from the bath: All that is needed is to dissolve 1/4 cup (about 50 g) of Epsom salts in the bath water before taking a long, leisurely soak. The minerals in the bath water will go right through the skin, but only just as much magnesium as the body needs. It’s a great way to replenish your body’s magnesium stores, and a great excuse to read a good book in the tub!
Research shows:
- people with a high magnesium intake are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, and diabetics seem to have lower stores of this mineral
- magnesium helps to increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin
- deficiency occurs because low amounts of vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grain are eaten