Pamukkale hot springs
Pamukkale, in southwestern Turkey, has been a world heritage site since 1981. The area is famous for the minerals left by the flowing water. Pamukkale’s terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs
Pamukkale is considered a natural health spa, and visitors can experience its health and beauty benefits while swimming in the warm water. According to many, the water can cure asthma and rheumatism. Additionally, the water brings benefits to the skin and eyes – and aids recovery from high blood pressure, kidney-stones, stroke, physical exhaustion, circulatory issues, digestive maladies, chronic conditions and nutritional disorders.
The mineral-rich Pamukkale hot spring waters are high in magnesium and bicarbonate which, combined together, are particularly health-restoring.
Magnesium Bicarbonate – The Ultimate Mitochondrial Cocktail
Magnesium and bicarbonate are mutually reinforcing because magnesium functions as a bicarbonate co-transporter into the cells. And bicarbonate acts as a transporter of magnesium into the mitochondria. Anything that moves the body from overall acid conditions toward alkaline is going to enhance cell metabolism via mitochondrial optimisation.
Bicarbonate ions, working alongside magnesium, naturally create the conditions for increased glucose transport across cell plasma membranes. Bicarbonate ions create the alkaline conditions for maintaining the enzyme activity of pancreatic secretions in the intestines. Bicarbonate neutralises acid conditions which cause inflammatory reactions. Hence sodium bicarbonate can be of benefit in the treatment of a range of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Magnesium does not readily reach the mitochondrion but, if plenty of bicarbonate is available, the bicarbonate will act as transport into the mitochondrion. Higher pH levels and the bicarbonate itself will help the magnesium leave the blood serum driving it into the cells. Here the bicarbonate will carry it from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria where, in cases of chronic disease, it is desperately needed.
Increases energy production
ATP or Adenosine Tri-Phosphate is the energy unit of the cell. It’s one of the most important and major energy sources of the body. It is used in almost all the functions and is produced by two major processes: glycolysis and the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle).
Magnesium bicarbonate buffers the mitochondria in body cells from excess acid concentrations, which improves mitochondrial function and allows more ATP to be produced. When more ATP can be hydrolysed and more ATP can be produced, body cells have sufficient energy for optimum function. Thus magnesium and bicarbonate, when used together, can considerably increase energy production in the cells of the body.
But you don’t have to travel to Pamukkale in order to experience the energy-boosting, health benefits of magnesium and bicarbonate combined. It’s very easy to make a lotion which is well absorbed through the skin. Here is a recipe:-
Magnesium bicarbonate lotion
Ingredients
3 tbs magnesium chloride flakes
3 tbs aluminium-free bicarbonate of soda
150ml boiling water
Click here for where to buy magnesium chloride
Magnesium chloride flakes
Click here for where to buy aluminium-free bicarbonate of soda
Directions
Place the magnesium chloride flakes in a glass jug
Pour the boiling water over the flakes – stirring until dissolved
Strain to remove any flakes that don’t dissolve
Leave to cool completely
Add the 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda (it’s very important that the mixture is cool when the bicarb is added – or it will froth too much)
Even with the mixture cool there will still be some frothing. Just leave the froth to die down, stirring occasionally
This recipe makes approx 200ml of lotion.
Using a funnel, pour into a bottle that holds more than the amount of lotion you’ve made.
This is because the mixture will separate and settle and needs to be well shaken before each use
Use a screw top bottle
Don’t use a spray or a pump bottle – they will become clogged when the mixture separates
This lotion will keep very well and doesn’t need to be refrigerated
To use
Smooth a palmful of the lotion over any part of the body (not the face) and leave to dry to a white powdery covering
Now pat any **body lotion on top of the dry mixture in order to prevent it from brushing off the skin
Leave to soak in for at least an hour.
A very effective method is to use it on, for example, the lower leg – cover the area with a piece of greaseproof paper – then wrap an elastic bandage around the greaseproof paper area and leave it overnight
** Best of all, instead of body lotion, use pure emu oil, which is extremely effective at penetrating through layers of skin, transporting nutrients deep into the body. And emu oil has it’s own health benefits!
(more on the health benefits of emu oil coming soon)
Food For Thought 