From lotion to pills – how to get your magnesium fix to improve your health

MAGNESIUM sales are rocketing as more people realise how great it is for your health.

The mineral helps with anxiety, muscle function, skin disorders and maintaining a normal heart rhythm and blood pressure.

But up to one in three of us doesn’t get enough in our diet.

The recommended daily amount is 400-420mg for men and 310-320mg for women.

Today, Jane Atkinson looks at the magic of magnesium.

WATER

BETTERYOU Magnesium Water is pretty much what it says on the can, a water with 180mg of magnesium in it.

This comes in three formulas: Energy, Focus and Hydrate.

I tried Hydrate, which tasted lovely – fresh with a zingy lime and bergamot flavour.

There are several types of magnesium, but this drink contains glycinate, which can relieve anxiety, promote bone health, reduce PMS symptoms and help with your performance when you are working out.

It also contains magnesium citrate, which is great for many things, including constipation, anxiety, helping prevent migraines and to get a better night’s sleep, plus lots more.

This is a great drink to have after the gym as well as it can help with muscle recovery and, obviously, hydration.

£19.99 for a 12-pack of 250ml cans, betteryou.com.

LOTION

A MAGNESIUM body lotion is a wonderful way to get the mineral because it absorbs through the skin into the bloodstream.

But Alexandra Kay Time to Restore magnesium lotion also contains an extract from patchouli, which is great for calming skin prone to sensitivity, and essential oils, including lavender.

This hydrating lotion doesn’t have an overpowering smell either, and can be rubbed in within a minute without greasy residue.

A pampering way to get 20-22mg per pump.

It also includes Zechstein magnesium chloride, a pure form of magnesium, which helps muscles to relax and recover and promotes sleep.

I have loved trying this and am sure my sleep is now deeper after a couple of weeks of regular use.

£40 for 200ml, greenpeople.co.uk

PILLS

VIRIDIAN Magnesium Taurate tablets contain 112mg per two-pill dose, so this is an easy way to increase your intake.

Even better, these pills have no fillers, no junk ingredients and no fancy gimmicks.

And if you want to look after your heart, these are great ones to opt for.

It is thought that magnesium taurate is good for cardiovascular health, mainly for heart rhythm, but it is also linked to helping manage high blood sugar and high blood pressure.

Magnesium taurate is a form of magnesium bound to taurine, an amino acid in the heart muscle.

It helps reduce tiredness and fatigue, too.

£26.80 for 90 capsules, viridian-nutrition.com