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by Health By Principle

The Best Supplement for Travel

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 By Elizabeth Foley

 

Whether it's muscle stiffness from long flights, digestive discomfort from unfamiliar foods, or the stress of navigating new environments, the demands of travel can take a toll on your body and mind.

But what if there was a simple way to tackle these challenges head-on? Enter magnesium—a powerful dietary supplement that can help you stay energized, stress-free, and ready to make the most of your journey.

Here’s how magnesium can be your ultimate travel companion.

 

 

Preparing for a Trip

It's easy to let wellness take a back seat during the rush of preparing for a trip. But it's important to remember that dietary supplements work best when taken well in advance. Some supplements, like magnesium, can take three to six weeks to show noticeable benefits, so it's wise to start taking them as early as possible. Regular use is key to maintaining consistent levels in your body.

Prioritizing your health means making sure you take your supplements every day, even during travel preparations.

 

 

Magnesium

What does magnesium do for the body? Magnesium is an important nutrient for many bodily processes. As an essential mineral, magnesium is required to keep the body functioning properly. Click here to learn everything you need to know about magnesium.

Magnesium plays a role in:

  • Regulating muscle and nerve function
  • Regulating blood sugar levels
  • Regulating blood pressure
  • Protein production
  • Bone production
  • DNA production

 

Magnesium Supplements

When choosing a magnesium supplement for travel, it's crucial to research the manufacturer and carefully review the ingredient list. Make sure the formula aligns with your health needs and is free from unwanted additives, fillers, or sugar. Health By Principle’s Complete Magnesium Supplement is an excellent choice, offering rapid absorption without any unnecessary ingredients.

It's also important to look for the type of magnesium supplements you need and has a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) seal, which ensures they are produced under the highest safety standards. This way, you can trust that you’re getting a quality product that supports your well-being on the go.

 

 

The Benefits of Magnesium Supplements for Travelers 

Here are six ways magnesium supplements support the body and enhance your travel experience.

 

Magnesium Supplements Decrease Muscle Cramps

Traveling often means sitting for long periods in cramped spaces—whether on a plane, train, or automobile—leading to uncomfortable muscle cramps. This is especially true on long flights where opportunities to stand up and stretch are limited.

Thankfully, magnesium can help alleviate these cramps. After a lengthy journey, taking a magnesium supplement or drinking magnesium-infused water can ease muscle pain. In fact, one study found that magnesium supplements effectively reduce the intensity and frequency of leg cramps without significant side effects.

 

Magnesium Supplements Improve Digestion

Motion sickness, new foods, lack of access to fresh foods, and stress all contribute to digestive issues while traveling. Flying often disrupts the digestive system, so it is good to know that magnesium can help get digestion back on track.

Research shows that drinking 500 ml of mineral water daily which is naturally rich in magnesium sulphate and sodium sulphate, reduces gastrointestinal discomfort and supports normal defecation.

 

Magnesium Supplements Improve Sleep

Jet lag is a huge issue when traveling because it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm. Even when jet lag is not an issue, traveling typically disrupts normal sleep patterns due to stress and unfamiliar or uncomfortable sleeping accommodations.

Studies show that magnesium may be the key to better sleep no matter where you are in the world. A large-scale research review found that magnesium supplementation improves insomnia symptoms and circadian rhythms, ensuring quality sleep (3).

 

Magnesium Supplements Play a Role in Decreasing Stress

Magnesium deficiency and stress are closely linked, which is especially important to consider when traveling. A study on test-taking anxiety showed that magnesium supplements can help reduce stress.

When you're stressed, your body loses magnesium through sweat, and low magnesium levels make it harder for your body to relax. But with adequate magnesium levels, your body can better manage stress by calming the nervous system and helping you return to a state of rest after a stressful situation.

 

Magnesium Supplements can Improve Immunity

Traveling and illness don't mix. There are several precautions that you can take to avoid getting ill while traveling. Good hygiene, especially hand washing, and masking up in germy areas are at the top of the health list.

Additionally, magnesium can be taken while traveling to strengthen immunity. Research shows there is an especially strong relationship between the immune system and magnesium.

Magnesium is fundamental to the immune response because it is required for the execution of the most vital bodily functions that protect the body from illness (5). Low magnesium levels lead to a weaker immune response, increasing the risk of developing an illness when germs are encountered.

 

Magnesium Supplements can be used to Manage Headaches & Migraines

Headaches can be a major inconvenience for travelers. Tension headaches often result from tight muscles, which can happen when sitting in cramped or uncomfortable positions for long periods. For those who suffer from migraines or cluster headaches, travel can also be a trigger.

While painkillers are a common go-to for relief, there’s another option: magnesium supplements. Research shows that magnesium can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. People who frequently experience headaches often have low magnesium levels, and supplements offer a well-tolerated, safe, and affordable way to manage different types of headaches (6).

 

Migraines

Magnesium plays a unique role in managing migraines, which are much more intense than regular headaches. Migraines can last for several days, usually cause pain on one side of the head, and are often accompanied by symptoms before (prodromes) and after (postdromes) the migraine itself. Because migraines can be so debilitating, it’s crucial to take every precaution to prevent them while traveling.

 

 

Traveling with Supplements: What You Need to Know

Traveling with dietary supplements, including magnesium, is generally straightforward, but it’s essential to know the rules and best practices to ensure a smooth journey.

 

Can You Take Supplements on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring supplements on a plane, but there are a few guidelines to keep in mind:

 

  • Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage: It's recommended to pack your supplements in your carry-on luggage. This ensures you have access to them during your flight and reduces the risk of losing them if your checked luggage is delayed or lost. Moreover, keeping supplements in your carry-on allows you to adhere to your regular dosing schedule, which is particularly important for maintaining consistent magnesium levels.

  • Container Size: While there are no specific TSA regulations limiting the quantity of pills or capsules you can bring, it’s best to keep supplements in their original packaging, which displays the label and ingredients clearly. If you’re carrying powdered supplements, they may be subject to additional scrutiny, so keeping them in containers smaller than 12 ounces is advisable.

  • Documentation: Although not usually required, bringing along a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s note can be helpful, especially if you’re traveling with a large quantity of supplements or if they are in powder or liquid form. This documentation can also be useful if you are traveling internationally and need to declare your supplements at customs.

  • International Travel: Different countries have varying regulations regarding the import of dietary supplements. Before traveling abroad, research the specific rules of your destination to avoid any issues at customs. It’s a good idea to check if your supplements are legal in the country you're visiting and if there are any restrictions on the amount you can bring in.

 

By being prepared and knowing the regulations, you can ensure that you have your magnesium and other supplements on hand to support your health and wellbeing while traveling.

 

 

Other Tips to Support Health and Wellness While Traveling

Here are additional tips that are useful for maintaining health and wellness on a trip:

 

Stay Hydrated

Make it a point to drink a healthy amount of water. Proper hydration improves sleep quality, cognition and mood, making traveling more enjoyable.

 

Stretch

There are many benefits to stretching that are especially helpful during travel. Travelers who stretch frequently benefit from improved posture, flexibility, and increased blood flow to muscles. Stretching is also linked to stress relief and feelings of calm particularly when combined with mindfulness

 

Plan Healthy Meals and Snacks

Research the food offered in the area before traveling, then plan accordingly. Often, it is difficult to find nutritious foods at the airport, so it is a great idea to pack some healthy snacks. Opting for a green smoothie or other nutrient-dense foods will support energy levels and help you avoid the crash that is associated with junk foods.

 

Do Not Neglect Exercise

Remain consistent with exercise while traveling. Go for long walks and make an effort to stay active when taking a trip. Even if relaxing on the beach is the main goal, being active while traveling will help manage stress levels.

 

Sources

  1. Supakatisant, C. (2015). Oral magnesium for relief in pregnancy-induced leg cramps: A randomised controlled trial. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22909270/
  2. ‌Bothe, G. (2015). Efficacy and safety of a natural mineral water. European Journal of Nutrition. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-015-1094-8
  3. ‌Magnesium intake and sleep disorder symptoms: Findings from the jiangsu nutrition study of chinese adults at Five-Year Follow-Up. (2018, October 1). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212970/
  4. The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and Stress—A systematic review. (2017, May 1). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452159/
  5. Tam, M. (2003, September 24). Possible roles of magnesium on the immune system. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://www.nature.com/articles/1601689
  6. Magnesium in the central nervous system. (2011). University of Adelaide Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507271/
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