What exactly are Epsom Salts?!

This is the question my husband asked me as I was pouring tons of it into the bath last week. I just said, "I don't know. It's just what your supposed to do to ease muscle soreness." Then I felt dumb and decided to research exactly why Epsom Salts relieve muscle soreness. The following is taken from the Epsom Salt council.

Magnesium - the key component of Epsom Salt -- performs more functions in more systems of the human body than virtually any other mineral, including regulating the activity of more than 325 enzymes.

Studies show that magnesium is:

• An electrolyte, helping to ensure proper muscle, nerve and enzyme function.
• Critical to the proper use of calcium in cells.
• An aid in helping to prevent heart disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths.

Medical research also indicates that magnesium may:

• Increase the effectiveness of insulin, helping to lower the risk or severity of diabetes.
• Reduce inflammation and relieves pain, making it a beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma, migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.

Although magnesium can be absorbed through the digestive tract, many foods, drugs and medical conditions can interfere with the effectiveness of this deliver method. Therefore, soaking in an Epsom Salt bath is one of the most effective means of making the magnesium your body needs readily available.

Epsom Salt also delivers sulfates, which medical research indicates are needed for the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the mucin proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. Studies show that sulfates also stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and help to detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants. Studies indicate that sulfates are difficult to absorb from food, but are readily absorbed through the skin.

If you take Advocare's Nighttime Recovery or Natural Calm, they both contain lots of Magnesium- great for recovery and sleep.

Here is what the site said about some other benefits of the Salts:

• Raising the body's level of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Offsetting excess levels of adrenaline generated by pressure and stress; magnesium ions relax and reduce irritability by lowering the affects of adrenaline.
• Helping to regulate the electrical functions that spark through miles of nerves.
• Lowering blood pressure.

Researchers have found that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. Experts recommend soaking with Epsom Salt at least three times a week to look better, feel better and have more energy

I definitely slept better and my sore back felt much better the next day! You can find Epsom Salts anywhere: HEB, pharmacies, etc. Have any other uses for Epsom Salts? Post to comments!

Happy birthday today to Coach Jess!!

Simplicity

I was just listening to Robb Wolf's podcast (Episode 4...there are 11! Go listen. You'll get so much good info) and he broke down the 2 biggest things that will make the most difference in your training/recovery/mood/etc. etc.

Sleep

Real Food

Robb posed this question: "Do you wake up with an alarm?" If so, you need more sleep. I know, getting up at 4:52am to get to class may, in fact, require an alarm. BUT, if you wake up quickly and bounce out of bed when that alarm goes off, ready to start your day, chances are you are well-rested. 9 hours is A LOT of sleep- especially if you have family or other obligations. But just try it for a week or two and see how you feel. See how your recovery changes. Maybe you're good with 8 or 8.5 hours...

Real food. If it has a label, don't eat it. If man made it, don't eat it. Fuel your body with good quality food. You will see immediate results in all areas of your life. There is a learning curve with this. It takes time to form new habits and break the old ones. Be patient with yourself.

Anybody out there ever made homemade beef jerky? Please share tips and websites!