CHARLOTTE (Jan. 19, 2005) - Your handy Thesaurus might not list it, but the scientific name for Epsom Salt is magnesium sulfate. And while most people know little about these low-profile elements, numerous studies have demonstrated the wide-ranging benefits of magnesium and sulfate for areas such as beauty, health and gardening.

It makes sense. Magnesium, a major component of Epsom Salt, is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body. Magnesium also helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.

The National Academy of Sciences, however, reports that most Americans are magnesium deficient, helping to account for our society's high rate of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies and stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a host of other ailments. The Academy estimates the average American male gets just 80% of the magnesium required for good health, while females get only 70% of their recommended levels. Nutritionists say Americans' magnesium levels have dropped more than 50% in the past century.

Researchers and physicians report that raising magnesium levels may:

• Improve heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improve the body's ability to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improve nerve function by regulating electrolytes. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieve stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

While increasing magnesium levels, Epsom Salt also delivers sulfates, which are extremely difficult to get through food but which readily absorb through the skin. Sulfates, which are minerals, serve a wide variety of functions in the body, playing a vital role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the mucin proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. Sulfates also stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are believed to help detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants.

In addition to health, Epsom Salt also has been shown to aid in gardening. Although magnesium and sulfur occur naturally in soil, they can be depleted by various conditions, including heavy agricultural use over time. But unlike most commercial fertilizers, which build up in the soil over time, Epsom Salt is not persistent so you can't overuse it. Tests by the National Gardening Association confirm - roses fertilized with Epsom Salt grow bushier and produce more flowers, while the compound makes pepper plants grow larger than those treated with commercial fertilizer alone.

One of the earliest discoveries of magnesium sulfate - the scientific name of Epsom Salt - occurred back in Shakespeare's day in Epsom, England. Today, the compound is gaining more and more attention for its affordable, back-to-basics approach to everything from health and beauty, household cleaning, gardening and lawn care. The Epsom Salt Council, made up of the three leading manufacturers and packagers of the product, was formed in 1993 to help promote the benefits of Epsom Salt.

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Editor's Notes:

• More information on the science of Epsom Salt - and how it affects beauty, gardening and health - also can be found at www.epsomsaltcouncil.org.
• Research on sulfates was provided by Dr. RH Waring, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom