HIMPower Magazine HimPower March 2018 | Page 20

directly into the cells of the body, so it can get to work right away. But it is also a gentle form of iron. It doesn’ t cause constipation and is not harsh on the stomach.
MAGNESIUM: ANOTHER ENERGY- CREATING MINERAL
Magnesium helps us metabolize B-vitamins,( in fact, vitamins couldn’ t work in our bodies at all without a full range of minerals), it provides our cells with energy, helps muscles recover after heavy exercise, helps our thyroid run smoothly, and helps keep us on an even keel emotionally, too.
Unfortunately, like so many of our mineral needs, we are often deficient in magnesium. One of the reasons for this is that our food just doesn’ t have the mineral content that it did in the past. Our topsoil gets washed out over time, and as a result, much of our fruits and vegetables have become nutritionally“ dumbed down”.
A deficiency of magnesium can lead to numbness and tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythms. As with iron, low levels of magnesium can lead to hypertension.
Magnesium is excellent at relieving pain, too. It does this by blocking a pain receptor called the NMDA receptor. It’ s great to have on board after a workout( or to take preemptively before one) to keep your muscles from tightening up. Other studies on the effects of magnesium have found that it helps people suffering from headaches and premenstrual syndrome, too.
But more to the point about magnesium and activity, our bodies tend to burn through these minerals at a very fast rate when we are physically active – so they aren’ t going to store up in the body as you might imagine. In fact, one endurance study showed that magnesium wasn’ t being stored in the bones, and another with ultra-endurance athletes showed that individuals in the study – and by extension anyone in heavy activity – was very likely to be deficient in magnesium and zinc.
I recommend a glycinate chelated form. It is extremely well-absorbed and used by the body, and doesn’ t leave excess magnesium in the digestive tract which can attract water and create loose stools. Beyond that, you want to make sure your magnesium is a high-quality supplement, because poorly-absorbed forms can interfere with iron absorption as well.
COPPER: A VALUABLE HEALTH RESOURCE
Copper is a must. Along with iron, copper helps build healthy blood cells, so it is a vital component in any supplementation for energy and endurance. Without copper, anemia is almost certain to follow, along with heart disease, blood sugar issues, and arthritis.
Aside from blood cell formation, copper is crucial for transporting iron in red blood cells, strengthening the immune system, and helping build strong bones.
The copper I recommend as part of this combination has been well studied for absorption and benefits. Like the others,
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