Sports activity is undoubtedly a panacea for the body, but at the same time it can also put it to the test: those who practice sports - whatever they are - in fact have a greater need for various elements to avoid problems and injuries. This is true whether you practice sports occasionally (therefore with muscles and joints not accustomed to the efforts required), or whether it is continuous and intense (in this case the risk of trauma is greater due to the intensity of the same). Among the various elements of great importance for the body we have one with a thousand properties: magnesium . We all know its oral applications, but perhaps not everyone knows that there is also magnesium chloride for topical application (therefore to be put directly on the skin) which can be an important adjuvant immediately after physical activity to avoid those muscle pains that could arise some time after performing the same.
The properties of magnesium for athletes
Let's first see what the general properties of magnesium are for those who practice sports (or other physical activities that are not necessarily sports, such as gardening which - especially in the summer months - put a strain on muscle resistance). So, why do athletes have a greater need for magnesium ? The answer is simple: because this mineral is expelled from the body through sweating and, as is known, physical activity inevitably leads to greater sweating. This is why, both to avoid injuries and to increase resistance and performance, it is good to integrate both liquids and magnesium.
Magnesium has its own fundamental role in hundreds of cellular functions that occur within our body: it is needed for the correct functioning of organs, but also to keep our immune defenses healthy and to fix the other minerals necessary for the body, in addition to promoting the release of oxygen in muscle cells (and here once again is why magnesium is important when doing sports). Therefore, if athletes already use a greater quantity of magnesium, consumption will be even greater for example in the case of exogenous stress such as excessive heat, cold or humidity, but not only: every "stressful" condition (even from an emotional point of view) that requires an adjustment of the body for an adequate response results in a greater consumption of magnesium.
If magnesium supplementation is always important for those who practice sports, it becomes even more so in the summer months: the increased sweating due to high temperatures leads to the loss of other mineral salts due to excessive sweating.
Magnesium and Energy: Its Role in Sports and the Application of Magnesium Chloride on the Skin
Magnesium's role in energy metabolism deserves a special mention, which as you can imagine is of particular importance for sports. Magnesium in fact plays a fundamental role in the activation of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism: which means, in immediate terms, that without magnesium there is no energy.We are all familiar with the discomfort caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in the cells when the muscles do not receive sufficient oxygen: an inconvenience that, in addition to being painful, represents a major limitation to physical capacity, so much so that it can make even the simplest daily movements difficult.
Magnesium, in addition to helping supply the muscles with oxygen and thus preventing the problem of lactic acid accumulation , is also a valid support in the process of eliminating it. Typical symptoms of magnesium deficiency? Muscle contractions and cramps : if they occur during physical activity, or even at rest, they are a warning bell precisely regarding the deficiency of this mineral.
As for topical application, magnesium chloride used directly on the skin (also in spray version for fast absorption) has several functions: first of all it reduces inflammation, prevents muscle injuries, helps relax muscles and speeds up healing times in case of contractures. These are undoubtedly the most important aspects for sports practice. It also hydrates the skin and strengthens its barrier function, as well as accelerating healing.
