This undoubtedly has a profound psychological effect on us. While a large majority people cope reasonably well with it, there is a fair percentage of those who suffer from what is called ‘winter blues’ or in medical terms – ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ (SAD).

Symptoms of SAD may include of difficulty waking up in the morning, tendency to oversleep as well as to overeat, craving for carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain. Other symptoms may include a lack of energy, getting easily exhausted, headaches, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal from social activities, friends, family. All of this leads to the depression, pessimistic thoughts, feelings of hopelessness and lack of joy. Quite familiar picture for many, and this is why so many people dread winter months.

Common treatments include antidepressants, cognitive behaviour therapy, light therapy, melatonin supplementation, etc.

However, many people are completely unaware of how big a role magnesium plays in the management of SAD/ depression. Not only does it help to boost our energy levels, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost circulation and metabolism, it is also a main component in the production of naturally occurring hormones – serotonin and melatonin – which play a vital role in the management of SAD, since deficiency in both lead to sleep disturbances and depression.

Magnesium plays a crucial role in the release and uptake of serotonin by the brain cells. When there is sufficient magnesium in the body we produce enough serotonin and are in balance. When magnesium levels are depleted, which is especially the case in winter months, since so much of it is needed for various body processes, serotonin levels fall, and we all experience the effect of it to a certain degree.

Traditional medical treatment with antidepressants (Prozac, Seroxat, etc) is aimed at boosting the levels of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which elevates the level of serotonin artificially. This means that instead of going through a natural process of elimination, serotonin stays in the brain for longer, and this is what produces the antidepressant effect. However, once the treatment stops the body goes back to the original serotonin deficiency mode, and the cycle starts again.

Most antidepressants have side-effects, such as weight gain, reduced sex drive, anxiety, headaches, nausea, digestive problems. Manufacturers make people aware of these of course. Other people live in a one-dimensional mode emotionally – experiencing neither emotional highs nor lows.

While some people may have an absolute need for them, others can manage their symptoms naturally – by taking oral magnesium , spraying magnesium on the body, taking magnesium baths, as well as supplementing with vitamin B-complex, calcium, selenium zinc. Other natural remedies which have proved to work are St John’s Wort and 5-HTP. Both are available at most pharmacies.

For sleep disturbances warm 30-40 minute magnesium baths before bed time are difficult to beat. Use 500g of magnesium flake per a bathful of warm water. Such baths can be taken every night, or every other night. If you experience skin dryness – use a moisturiser after a magnesium bath.

A quick way to replenish magnesium levels, boost metabolism, reduce fatigue, water retention, bood circulation, relax and regain the feel-good factor is by having a magnesium wrap. Read more about Magnesium Wraps.

Disclaimer: All the information in this post and on this website is for information only and should not be used as advice of a medical or any other nature. Please always consult your doctor if you are unwell, are on medication or suffering from any medical conditions.

WHERE CAN I BUY MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS?

To book a MAGNESIUM WRAP IN LONDON please email info@medicina-uk.com.

]]> http://www.magnesiumoil.org.uk/2010/11/winter-blues-how-magnesium-can-help/feed/ 0 http://www.magnesiumoil.org.uk/2010/05/food-allergies-and-chemical-sensitivities-linked-to-magnesium-deficiency/ http://www.magnesiumoil.org.uk/2010/05/food-allergies-and-chemical-sensitivities-linked-to-magnesium-deficiency/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 09:47:02 +0000 admin http://www.magnesiumoil.org.uk/?p=274 “Allergies and Chemical Sensitivities

Adelle Davis, writing in Let’s Have Healthy Children

In the book Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, the authors note that food allergies are usually associated with low hydrochloric acid levels and poor digestion. The authors’ rationale for this is that low stomach acid leaves food undigested and fermenting in the intestinal tract. This fermentation causes gas, bloating and stomach upset, the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Undigested and fermented food causes the body to raise histamine levels, which produce allergic reactions. This is why people take antihistamines for allergies, to lower histamine levels. Interestingly, Mg is needed to reduce histamine levels.

Low stomach acid levels reduce levels of beneficial intestinal bacteria which is needed for absorption of magnesium. When lab rats are deprived of magnesium, a wide variety of studies have noted that they develop allergy like symptoms. Their ears turn red and they develop skin problems. Rats with magnesium deficiencies have increases in histamine levels. They also have raised levels of white blood cell counts. Mg deficiency has been implicated in allergies and allergic skin reaction in many studies on humans, too. Variations of allergies, skin allergies, and raised white blood cells have all been noted as features of many chronic disorders.

People with chemical sensitivities also commonly have other conditions linked to Mg deficits such as allergies, fibromyalgia, mitral valve prolapse and anxiety disorders. They also tend to have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which has been linked to abnormalities of hyaluronic acid. Perhaps not coincidentally, hyaluronic acid is dependent upon magnesium for its synthesis.

Asthma is has been linked to Mg deficiencies in a wide variety of studies. Asthma and allergies not only frequently occur together, but they frequently occur together along with gastrointestinal upset in many chronic disorders including Mitral Valve Prolapse syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Gastrointestinal upset is often a sign of malabsorption problems, which can be a cause of nutritional deficiencies.”

http://www.ctds.info/5_13_magnesium.html

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