The Most Surprising (and Lesser-Known) Benefits of Magnesium Carbonate

More and more people are deciding to reinforce their diet with magnesium, due to the multiple properties that this mineral provides when ingested in optimal amounts: it relaxes and makes the muscles more flexible, intervenes in the normal functioning of the nervous system and metabolism, promotes restful sleep and contributes to the maintenance of body tissues.

• What is magnesium?
• The most well-known benefits of magnesium
• Other important benefits you didn't know about
• Ana María Lajusticia®'s Magnesium Carbonate

But what exactly is magnesium and where do we find it? Magnesium is a mineral with a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12, the seventh most abundant in nature. Leafy greens, bananas, avocados, apricots, dairy, dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are the main sources of this nutrient.

However, due to current agricultural practices (based on chemical fertilization), many soils are losing adequate levels of magnesium so that the vegetables grown there can absorb it and transmit it to us when we feed on them. Not to mention the number of people who do not follow a balanced diet or who follow miracle diets regularly. In addition, the frenetic pace of life typical of recent decades causes an increase in the nutritional needs of magnesium in the majority of the population.

For these reasons, the symptoms of its deficiency are common, such as restlessness, discomfort, anxiety, irritability, tachycardia, tiredness, tissue deterioration, cramps, contractures, eye tics, unfounded fear and even phobias. Knowing if they are due to this cause is very simple because, if so, the symptoms would disappear a few days/weeks after starting to take a magnesium booster.

Today, in particular, we want to focus on magnesium carbonate and talk especially about its lesser-known properties, as they will not leave you indifferent. Magnesium carbonate is a type of magnesium that is white and tasteless, which allows it to be taken in several ways that we will discuss below. It provides a double benefit, because, having an alkaline pH, it not only acts as a mineral source to strengthen our bones, muscles and nervous system, but also as a natural antacid and stomach protector. In fact, it helps to relieve reflux and discomfort caused by ulcers, hiatal hernia, heartburn or heavy digestion, such as those typical of holidays or festivities. In addition, it is the ideal option if you have a hard time going to the bathroom, because it is a medium-level laxative.

On the other hand, as we explained above, the famous magnesium chloride is the one with the greatest laxative power: a type of magnesium with a spicy-bitter taste, with an acidic pH, ideal for people with severe constipation. It acts by attracting a lot of water to the intestine and thus causes the stool to be more voluminous and easier to have a bowel movement. This is the main difference between magnesium carbonate and magnesium chloride. However, the latter is not indicated for people with a tendency to acidity, with digestive sensitivity, ulcerative colitis or severe kidney failure.

The most well-known benefits of magnesium

The mineral magnesium, in sufficient quantities, provides a multitude of benefits. In short, it helps to maintain nervous, immune, cardiovascular and metabolic function within normal. In fact, it plays an essential role in obtaining energy and in the assimilation of vitamins, proteins and minerals, such as calcium, collagen or vitamin C (which is why it helps bones grow strong and healthy), and makes muscles contract and relax properly.

It is also the key to the formation of one's own collagen, which keeps tissues and skeletons strong. It is used to prevent or treat discomfort related to physical exercise (foot cramps, muscle pull, sports injuries, muscle fatigue...), because it allows the normal contraction and relaxation of the muscles, increasing agility and flexibility in general. In addition, when we usually do sports or have an intense level of daily activity, we need more magnesium, because it is involved in the process of obtaining energy: together with the ATP molecule, it allows it to be activated and give energy to the cells, both in the muscles and in other organs (such as the nervous system). Thus, the feeling of physical and mental fatigue is reduced, productivity increases and relaxation is promoted.

As magnesium is involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body, supplementation with this mineral has shown numerous health benefits, especially in people who have symptoms of deficiency, who are experiencing a time of fatigue/stress or who are in a vital stage in which their nutritional needs are increased (such as pregnancy, adolescence, old age, etc)

Other important benefits you didn't know about

• Magnesium is essential for the immune system because it is a very important factor in the ability of defensive cells to deal with pathogens. In fact, magnesium deficiency is directly associated with infections of all kinds.
• This mineral is also necessary to maintain a healthy skin barrier: the process of eliminating external agents when there are skin infections is most effective in a magnesium-rich environment.
• It promotes optimal hormone levels of the different hormones that regulate most of the body's functions. It even helps regulate cortisol or stress hormone, which when high produces anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, hypertension...
• Improve premenstrual symptoms by reducing prostaglandin levels, which can cause uterine spasms, muscle discomfort, and migraines.
• Helps balance blood sugar levels; therefore, it improves insulin resistance or the process by which cells do not respond well to this hormone and are not able to absorb the glucose present in the blood easily, in order to use it for energy.
• Helps against hyperhidrosis: Magnesium Carbonate can be used as a natural deodorant, sprinkling the armpits or footwear with an impregnated powder. It solves the issue in a simple and economical way: its mechanism of action consists of raising the pH of the skin to 9-10 so that the bacteria that inhabit it cannot live or reproduce as when they are in their usual environment (which must be acidic).
• And, as we have explained above, magnesium is key in the endogenous formation of collagen, so it also accelerates the scar formation process when there are wounds, even surgical or acne marks. If we are looking for this effect, the ideal would be to supplement with Collagen with Magnesium.

Ana María Lajusticia®'s Magnesium Carbonate

At Ana María Lajusticia® we offer you two formats of Magnesium Carbonate: powder and tablets. Both are differentiated by their texture and modes of use:

• Powder: we recommend drinking 1 teaspoon of coffee twice a day, dissolved in liquids or creamers (as it does not add flavor). If you do not have acidity, it is better to take it with lemon juice, orange juice or any acidic food.
• Tablets: take 2 to 3 tablets a day, distributed in the main meals.

As you can see, you can choose the format that is most comfortable for you. Start enjoying its benefits as soon as possible!

And if you still have doubts about whether or not you need to take magnesium, don't miss this other article.