Magnesium for Post Workout Recovery

After a good hard workout and you and your muscles are feeling tight and tired one of the best thing you can feed your body is magnesium. This all important mineral is crucial in helping your body relax and unwind after an intense workout. Plus it’s also vitally important in energy production.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 chemical reactions but the number one reason you want it after a workout is that it helps relax those tight muscles. Calcium and potassium are needed to help the muscle contract – it’s magnesium that allows those muscles to relax.

Today, so many people are taking too much calcium in proportion to magnesium, that it isn’t helping the problem. So after a good hard workout and you are ready to start letting your body relax and recover, magnesium would be one of those must have nutrients.

Magnesium is a vaso-dilator, meaning it helps relax and open up your cells. So if you are dealing with blood pressure or any asthma type issues the goal is to keep those arteries and bronchial tubes open, which is what magnesium does.

Don’t forget, magnesium, like potassium, sodium and calcium are electrolytes and are lost as you sweat, so it is important to replenish this important mineral. I like using it throughout the day, but mostly after a good workout or in the evening to help my mind and body relax.

Did I say mind? You see magnesium is great for anxiety, because it has a calming effect on our brain and is another reason why I suggest taking it in the evening to help you relax and go to sleep at night.

FYI…Epson salt baths are a great way of replenishing magnesium, because that is all that is in an Epsom salt bath. Osmosis is a wonderful thing. Usually two cups of Epsom salt and one cup of baking soda to moisten your skin will do the trick.

Last but not least…Energy Production. You can’t produce energy (ATP) without magnesium so make sure you load up on magnesium before your next workout. Otherwise the good hard workout you are hoping to have may not be there because you are running low on magnesium. This is also one of the best reasons why so many people struggling with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia do better with a good source of magnesium.

Not All Magnesium is the Same

With an estimated 75% of the population deficient in magnesium, not all magnesium is the same. Your magnesium…glycinate, malate, citrate, and lactate forms are better absorbed. Stay away from magnesium oxide, it is a poorly absorbed form of magnesium.  If your bottle of magnesium doesn’t tell you what form of magnesium it is – I wouldn’t buy it.  It’s probably the cheaper form of magnesium and hoping the unsuspecting consumer will simply See the word ‘magnesium’ and buy their product.  So do a little bit of homework and learn what to look for when you read a supplement ingredient list.  

Hope that helps.