Recently I wrote about The 4 Essential Daily Supplements You Need. One of these supplements is the element magnesium. Now you know you need to take it, so the question becomes what is the easiest and best way to add magnesium to your daily routine?
Natural Calm, made by Natural Vitality, is the answer given by most nutrition experts I know. Natural Calm is a propriety form of magnesium citrate meant to be taken on a daily basis. Our bodies typically should contain about 25g of magnesium – approximately 50% of which is stored in our bones.1 Due to modern farming and processed food, however, many of us do not have the required levels of magnesium in our systems.
Why do we need magnesium?
Magnesium is mainly known for its role in the formation of healthy bone; without magnesium both vitamin D and calcium cannot be properly processed by the body.2 Magnesium has many other roles it plays, though. According the Office of Dietary Supplements, “Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.”3
According to the makers of Natural Calm, magnesium deficiency can result in symptoms such as: stress, low energy, muscle tension, muscle spasms and cramps, headaches, insomnia, fatigue and weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, hormonal imbalances, weakening bones, constipation, anxiety, and irritability.
About Natural Calm
Natural Calm comes in powder form and should be dissolved into hot water. You will see the powder react to the water forming a fizzy solution. Be sure to leave yourself enough room in your glass for this reaction to happen – I made a mess the first time I mixed it! Once the powder has dissolved you can add additional hot or cold water to taste.
According to Natural Vitality, Natural Calm is an ionic form of magnesium, which increases its bioavailability. As their brochure explains, “An ionic mineral is an element that has a charge, either positive or negative. On the molecular level, that means the element has either one too many one too few electrons. This unstable ionic state allows the element to bond readily with water, making it possible for the body to absorb it.” Natural Calm is easier to absorb into the body because of its liquid form and therefore more advantageous than taking magnesium by pill or capsule. In addition, Natural Calm is designed to have low acidity to allow it to both dissolve properly in water and not affect the pH-balance of your body.
The recommendations for daily dosage of magnesium vary from 300-600g depending on age, sex, and health. Natural Calm recommends you start with a half teaspoon and slowly increase from there. Be mindful of the laxative effect of magnesium and decrease your dosage if your bowels become too loose.
Natural Calm is made from sea sources of magnesium. The citric acid in the formula comes from non-GMO sugar beets and all organic ingredients are used in its flavored varieties. Natural Calm comes in 8oz containers or boxes of individual packets.
Flavors of Natural Calm: Original (unflavored), Organic Raspberry/Lemon, Organic Cherry, Organic Sweet Lemon, and Organic Orange.
My Experience of Natural Calm
My personal experience of Natural Calm is that it is very easy to take and does indeed have a calming effect. I take it in the evening before I go to sleep. I find the individual packets are very convenient for travel so I don’t break my nightly routine. I have also experienced less muscular soreness since I began taking Natural Calm regularly.
I tried three different flavors of Natural Calm: Orange, Cherry, and Raspberry/Lemon. Of these Cherry was the least preferred, having the least natural taste (a little reminiscent of cough syrup for me), whereas Raspberry-Lemon and Orange were quite pleasant.
If you are looking for a simple way to supplement magnesium to your diet, I recommend giving Natural Calm a try. It is easy for your body to absorb, is quick to prepare, tastes good, and helps you get to sleep.
There are certain medical conditions and prescriptions which can have adverse interactions with magnesium supplementation, so please consult with your doctor if you have any medical concerns.
Natural Calm is available for $24 and up at various online resellers.
