One comment in particular, from Heather at CFSW, made me want to educate myself more on the connection between Epsom Salt baths and an increase in ATP production/function. I remember as a little kid my mom using Epsom Salt in baths for soreness after runs or for soothing itchy skin but I had never heard of using it for increased energy/recovery through the ATP cycle.
Here's a super dumbed down explanation of the ATP cycle thanks to Discovery Health.
- When a cell needs energy, it breaks this bond to form adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and a free phosphate molecule. It can further be broken down to form adenosine monophosphate (AMP).
- When the cell has excess energy, it stores this energy by forming ATP from ADP and phosphate.
ATP is required for the biochemical reactions involved in any muscle contraction. As the work of the muscle increases, more and more ATP gets consumed and must be replaced in order for the muscle to keep moving.
Because ATP is so important, the body has several different systems to create ATP. The interesting thing is that different forms of exercise use different systems, so a sprinter is getting ATP in a completely different way from a marathon runner.
If you have no idea what I am talking about, check out this video!
Ok so what does this have to do with Epsom Salt (aka-magnesium sulfate)?
- Magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 bodily functions including protein synthesis & multiple pathways to create ATP- glycolysis, krebs cycle, etc...
- ATP is always found with magnesium since it provides stability and aids in the transfer of the extra phosphate group to convert stored energy into kinetic energy.
- It helps convert stored creatine kinase into useful phosphocreatine that turns ADP back into ATP to be used for energy cycle again
Studies have shown that taking 2-4 baths for 12-15 minutes a week in 1% Epsom Salt will increase blood concentration of magnesium thus aiding in the ATP cycle and other biochemical functions.
A few benefits of a bath versus taking magnesium orally are:
- lowered risk of too much magnesium in the body, which can affect the kidneys
- taking it orally can have an undesired super laxative effect
- muscle relaxation (by closing Calcium channels to slow down nerve impulses)
- skin exfoliation
- relief for dry/itchy skin
- lowered blood pressure
If you want more information on Epsom Salt or ATP, here are some useful sites:
So a whole bath soak? Or just soak the legs? Will it work for both?
ReplyDeleteI would imagine you'd get more out of a whole bath soak because there's more surface area to absorb it. Maybe you'd get similar results by soaking longer with just a foot bath.
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