Calming the Muscles
There are many vitamins and minerals that benefit endurance athletes, but the one mineral that has made a noticeable difference in my active life is magnesium. The effects were immediate:
- I feel calm and sleep better when I take magnesium in the evening – this is particularly important to me the night before a cycling event
- I am able to better empty my bowels in the morning upon waking up
- I seem to recover faster from workouts
A lot of research has been published on the topic, and I will not get into those. What I am offering here is evidence from my own experience. Magnesium even helps me sleep well in hotel rooms during business trips.
Magnesium Supplement
It is fairly “easy” to consume magnesium through a regular, balanced diet. However, consistent hours of training can quickly deplete levels in the body, requiring supplementation.
I started taking a supplement in powder form (ionic citrate) at the recommendation of a sports dietician. An organic, good quality supplement is the Calm (you can get it at Amazon or Whole Foods). I particularly like the raspberry lemon flavor. I take a tablespoon of this magnesium supplement in the morning and evening. Others may need more or less – you can adjust dosage depending on how your body reacts and/or how strenuous your training is in a given day or week.
One should always consult with their doctor or dietician before taking a supplement, especially if they have health concerns. However, I encourage you to look into magnesium – you too might find it beneficial.
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