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Amazing Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths (long)

posted by fifichic on 11:42 am

I decided to post this after reading amillh1 mention Epsom salt (yes they're good for sore muscles) and stephanolio24 mentioning irregular heartbeats- I think it's good info for everyone.

By Melissa Breyer, Senior Producer, Care2 Green Living (edited by me)
We all know about the importance of iron and calcium, but did you know that magnesium is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body? It helps the body regulate over 325 enzymes and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions, like muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.
According to the National Academy of Sciences most Americans are magnesium deficient, which may help explain high rates of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a number of other ailments.
Americans' magnesium levels have dropped by half in the last century due to changes in agriculture and diet. Industrial farming has depleted magnesium from soil and the typical American diet contains much less magnesium than that of our forefathers. And in fact, the modern American diet with its fat, sugar, salt and protein actually works to speed up the depletion of magnesium from our bodies.
In a delicate dance of balance, calcium depletes magnesium yet calcium functions best when enough magnesium is present. Studies indicate that taking a calcium supplement without enough magnesium can increase the shortage of both nutrients. Many Americans have five times as much calcium as magnesium in their bodies, when you want only twice as much. You want to correct this ratio by absorbing more magnesium, NOT by eating less calcium.
Studies show that magnesium is not easily absorbed through the digestive tract, so get your magnesium through skin not through your mouth!
Take an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt is rich in both magnesium and sulfate, both of which are better absorbed through your skin. Sulfates play an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental contaminants.
Researchers and physicians suggest these health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:
• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.
All this from soaking in the tub! (Add two cups of Epsom salt and soak for at least 12 minutes. Do this three times weekly). Who says being healthy is tough?

If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.