Vitality Options

Author Archives: Vitality Options

Unleash the power of Epsom Salts for better health and wellbeing

 

Epsom salt has amazing health benefits. It is incredibly versatile and can be used to remove splinters and reduce swelling of sprain and bruises. Who knew such Epsom Salt could have so many uses? It is truly one ingredient that does fit all!

10 Healthy Ways to Use Epsom Salt

  1. Sedative and relaxing bath: Put 2 cups of Epsom salt in warm water and soak. It will improve circulatory health, reduce rate of irregular heartbeats, remove blood clots, lower blood pressure, and prevent hardening of arteries.
  2. Foot Soak: Add ½ cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak. This will soothe aches, soften rough skin, and remove foot odour. It is suitable for athletes and sports people.
  3. Soak bruises and sprains: If bruises and sprain are swelling then add 2 cups of Epsom salt in warm water and soak.
  4. Splinter remover: Epsom salt is capable of drawing out splinters from the skin. Soaking for just few minutes can help you body to expel the splinter.
  5. Face cleanser: If you have tried many cleansing creams and you aren’t satisfied with results, mix Epsom salt with your regular cream and cleanse before sleeping. Massage into skin and then rinse with cold water.
  6. Skin Mask: Mix half Tsp of Epsom salt, 1 Tbsp cognac, ¼ cup non-fat dry milk, and 1 egg – Apply on normal oily skin. If your skin is dry, mix ½ Tsp Epsom salt, ¼ cup grated carrot, and 1 ½ Tsp mayonnaise.
  7. Skin Exfoliator: Massage wet skin with handful of Epson salt. Start with feet and then move to the face. When you are done, have a bath to rinse.
  8. Remove oil from hair: Epsom salt is capable of soaking excessive oil from your hair. Mix ½ cup oily shampoo with 9 Tbsp of Epsom salt. Apply this mixture on your hair, and rinse with cold water. After using this mixture, pour lemon juice on hair and leave for 10 minutes, and rinse again.
  9. Remove hairspray: Mix 1 gallon of water, 1 cup Epsom, and a cup of lemon juice. Cover it and let it rest for 24 hours. Pour this mixture in your hair for 20 minutes and shampoo.
  10. Hair Volumiser: Mix Epsom salt and deep conditioner in equal amount. Warm in a pan and put this mixture in your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Magnesium use in sport

Boosting performance and recovery

Magnesium is an essential mineral required by our bodies to perform more than 300 biochemical reactions. The use of supplementation in sport is a growing phenomena, as serious athletes and weekend warriors discover the performance and recovery benefits, allowing them to maximise their physical potential.

Magnesium contibutes to muscular performance, energy production, and oxygen uptake.

Magnesium fast fact

Addressing magnesium deficiency – signs and symptoms

Magnesium deficiency is very common and the list of indicators is long. For fitness enthusiasts, symptoms you may be deficient include:

  • muscular cramps and spasm
  • backache, headache
  • oxygen deprivation
  • irregular heart rate
  • fatigue
  • muscular or joint pain
  • insomnia and sleep disorders

Emotional signs may include depression, mood swings and irritability that aren’t easily explained.

Boosting your magnesium consumption

Diet

Dietary sources of magnesium consumption are readily available, and can help to address deficiency, as well as being generally beneficial to our health.

Good food sources include:

  • leafy greens (the darker in colour the better)
  • nuts and seeds
  • beans and lentils
  • whole grains
  • avocados
  • potatoes
  • fish and seafood

There has been debate about the reduction of magnesium in food sources due to modern farming processes, so choose quality organic produce where possible. It has also been found that dietary magnesium is not as readily absorbed as magnesium applied to the skin (Transdermal Magnesium).

Transdermal Magnesium (skin absorbtion)

A joint study published in the Nutrition Practitioner magazine conducted by Lenham Health and Herbal Research Centre in the UK,  found that magnesium serum levels where significantly higher when magnesium was applied to the skin. The study claimed that:

“The therapeutic value of magnesium chloride as a transdermal application reaches well beyond the potential of dietary magnesium as it effectively saturates the tissues, delivering high concentrations of magnesium to where it is needed most i.e. at the cellular level, directly into the circulation, entering the tissue cells immediately. “

Read the full article here.

Vitality Options recommends transdermal application using a spray on liquid magnesium due to it’s increased absorption properties, and regularly use it during our massage treatments, which further enhances it’s absorption. This naturally sourced form of magnesium crystal (Chloride Hexahydrate) is found in remote salt waters located in the Tibetan Plateau adjacent to the Himalayas. Our natural formula is produced right here on the Sunshine Coast of Australia.

Magnesium spray is best liberally applied several times a day, or massaged into problem areas before, during and after training.

Vitality Options also supports the use of Epsom salt baths. Epsomite is a naturally forming magnesium sulphate crystal, and a highly effective source of transdermal magnesium. It is much more cost-effective than magnesium crystal salts for use in the bath, where a larger quantity is required.

John Pearson Testimonial

 

Vitality Options Liquid Magnesium and Epsom Salts are harvested from naturally occurring sources and manufactured and packaged locally on the Sunshine Coast of Australia.

To become a stockist or make a purchase  please visit our clinic or contact us. 

Phone 07 5450 5729.

 

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Stress Less

Massage is a wonderful antidote to stress and a powerful way to relax. It allows you to switch off that nagging voice inside your head, to unwind from the overwork, rush and worries that compound, encourages you to breathe deeply and slowly and eases out the tension found in tight muscles. Through the act of relaxation we stimulate a part of the brain (the parasympathetic nervous system) that slows down the heart rate, the rate of breathing, lowers blood pressure and stimulates digestion and immunity.

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Fun and laughter is as good as a holiday!

I don’t know about you – but the mood around our region has been getting rather heavy lately. The Sunshine Coast has been hit, there’s no doubt about it. We are feeling it too! Our usual Christmas peak, barely raised an eyebrow, and the eightball has been hovering nearby ever since.

So, how do you normally handle unexpected challenges? Give up, plod on, aim higher??

In our household there’s a motto – “there’s always a solution”…..(actually it’s my wife’s motto she shares with the kids, to teach them resiliance, but secretly I kinda like it!)

We’ve been established for 8 years now, and are here to stay. But the current situation calls for change, hope and dedication to our vision. Our vision to alleviate the causes and triggers of physical pain. So, this newsletter is dedicated to that. Expect to see some exciting developments and announcements in the coming months.

So, in the spirit of lightening the mood, here’s ten fun and laughter tips to keep you smiling!!

1. STOP. Right where you are. Laugh for 3 mins for no reason (if anyone looks at you strangely, ask them to join in!)
2. Cultivate your inner child. Act silly. You don’t have to be ‘mature’ all the time! (Thanks Kama J Frankling for this idea)
3. Instead of a ‘swear jar’ have a laughter jar filled with smiley face stickers. Wear one every time you are ‘caught’ being grouchy.
4. Start the morning with a belly laugh the moment your feet hit the floor. You’ll be amazed how much joy to your day that will bring!
5. Share a funny embrarressing moment and have a good laugh about it
6. Where a funny hat at the plaza – offer a big grin to everyone that stares!
7. Post a funny photo of yourself on Facebook and invite your friends to add a caption (thanks Darren Gaudry for this idea)
8.Play with things that seem like work. E.g. dance doing the housework, or sing requests instead of nagging your kids (thanks to my wife for that idea!)
9. Next time you feel like worrying, smile in the mirror for 5 minutes. Your brain won’t know the difference, and your mood will completely change!
10. Remember that “Even if there is nothing to laugh about, you can laugh on credit.”

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” PLATO

TAKE A PEEK AT OUR DOODLE!

In the spirit of unpredictable fun, we went to a DOODLE JAM session over the Easter break. Me, Krishna and the kids Luke and Lily, created a family doodle to live music. What an experience! No pressure, no rules, and it was interesting the symbolism that showed up in the picture! It was only $50 for the family experience. Not bad huh! Visit www.doodlejam.com.au for more info, and tell Paul we sent you.