| July 13, 2026 |
NatNews |
ISSUE 226 |
MAGNESIUM CAN HELP WITH SLEEP AND SO MUCH MORE
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Magnesium is more than a mere element on the periodic table—it is essential to the human body, contributing to more than 300 chemical reactions within it. Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in several different body functions, including the balance of neurotransmitters—the chemical messengers your body uses to help nerve cells communicate with each other, playing an essential role in mood, sleep, memory, and muscle movement. Magnesium also assists in the production of melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle; helps regulate the body’s calcium and blood sugar levels; and is vital for the body’s production of protein According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended daily allowance of magnesium for adults 19 years and older is 310–320 milligrams for women and 400–420 milligrams for men. Individuals can often reach those amounts simply by maintaining healthy diets. Foods high in magnesium include pumpkin and chia seeds, lean proteins, dry roasted almonds and other nuts, spinach and other leafy greens, and legumes. In the last few years, though, magnesium supplements have become more commonly used by individuals seeking better sleep and relief from stress and anxiety. It’s important to understand the different types of magnesium prior to use. Magnesium glycinate is well-absorbed and used to support relaxation and sleep, while magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide are often used as laxatives for constipation. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) can be absorbed through the skin and can help with relaxation and muscle soreness. Magnesium malate supports energy production and is also sometimes used for muscle fatigue. Southern California resident Samantha Kelley said she began implementing magnesium into her routine one year ago. |
“I use it every night before bed,” she said. “I prefer a topical magnesium balm because I feel like it absorbs quickly, and I notice the calming benefits much faster than other forms of magnesium. If taking an oral supplement, while evidence supporting magnesium as a sleep aid shows magnesium citrate to be highly effective, because of its strong laxative effects, magnesium glycinate is often the better option because it is much gentler on the intestinal system. As with any supplement, if you have questions or concerns, are currently taking prescription medications, or have already existing health conditions, it’s best to consult your doctor prior to taking extra magnesium. It’s also important to note that magnesium is best used as part of a comprehensive approach to improving sleep. Incorporating it along with established healthy sleep habits (e.g., maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, and creating a comfortable sleep environment) may improve sleep quality as well as one’s overall well-being. Kelley said the sleep benefits magnesium can provide are what initially drew her to start using the mineral. “It helps me wind down at the end of the day and turns my brain ‘off’ so that I can settle down and set myself up for good sleep,” she said. “It really allows me to get into a deep sleep and feel rested in the morning.” Kelley added that she also appreciates that magnesium is naturally derived. “There are so many synthetic products out there that only really mask symptoms and issues,” she said. “I value that magnesium actually helps at the root of sleep and anxiety issues. It has transformed my sleep and anxieties, in general, and I’m so thankful I’ve been able to find a way to get back to my good sleeping habits.” |
DID YOU KNOW?
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Vermont does not have any skyscrapers or billboards. |
COSTCO—CAPTURING THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS EVERY SINGLE DAY
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Costco might not provide grocery bags for shoppers at the checkout area, but that certainly doesn’t deter people from stocking up on essentials available at the popular chain. With unique offerings and opportunities to purchase items in bulk at cheaper prices than those of grocery stores, Costco has become a dominant and adored company, ranked the third-largest retailer by revenue in the U.S. and the world (behind only Walmart and Amazon). Shopping at Costco does require one to be a member, though membership offers several benefits beyond grocery pricing in the form of home appliances, electronic devices, mattresses, clothing, and more. Dallas-area resident Cindy Hallo Reasor said she and her husband, Jason, shop at Costco once or twice a month. “I enjoy my $1.50 hot dog and soda combo as a reward for putting up with the crazy crowds the most,” she joked. “I really like the variety of foods and how a lot of it can be pretty healthy if you know what you’re looking for: organic meats and fruit, frozen berries for smoothies, frozen meals with no sugar added, avocado mayo, canned salmon, almond milk, etc.” Dallas resident Andrew Hall, who visits Costco approximately every other week, said he values the more desirable prices and ability to purchase items in bulk to keep his meal prepping simple and allow him to get enough food to fuel his running. He added that there are several other benefits to being a Costco member. “It’s easy to stock up on household items I know will last,” he said. “The gas is also a great price, especially combined with the Costco credit card, and their return policy is amazing. I had a small kitchen appliance break after six months of use, and they accepted the return—no questions asked.” Dallas-area resident David Recker said he and his fiancée, Olivia, currently shop at Costco twice a month, though their frequency has been increasing as they have been more selective about where they do their shopping. “It’s also where we try to get gas every time we need to fill up because it’s always cheaper than other pumps in the area,” he said. Recker added that there is another specific draw that appeals to him about the beloved retailer. “Hot dogs—the best date in town,” he said. “A buck fifty for an all-beef weenie and a drink; it doesn’t get any better. For actual shopping, we don’t buy much produce from Costco because we don’t typically need it in bulk, but we buy all of our meat, dairy, and most of our snacks there. Also, the $5 rotisserie chicken is a banger.” Recker said for non-food shopping, he appreciates Costco’s deals on gift cards, as he frequently buys them for PlayStation and Nintendo, and he noted that the store also has great LEGO bundles. However, as there is almost always room for improvement, he did acknowledge that Costco is not completely flawless. “I know this is an intentional marketing tactic that big box stores employ, but I find it annoying when they move things around inside the store,” he said. “Sometimes I just want to pop in and buy fig bars and get out.”
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Hall said he doesn’t find many drawbacks to shopping at Costco, other than the occasional frustration of differences in availability of certain products at different locations (and those not being offered at his local store). He does, however, think there is one improvement that could help individuals who aren’t shopping for full households. “It would be great if there were a discounted single person/apartment membership tier,” he said. While Hallo Reasor is an avid proponent of Costco, she certainly sees areas in which the company (and/or its customers) can make the shopping experience more pleasant for its patrons. “For the love of everything that is holy, why can Costco not figure out the parking lot/crowd situation?” she said. “The parking lots are full of people who have decided that today is a good day to learn how to drive—then those people go inside with their giant carts and mow you over trying to get to the free samples. I don’t know if either of these things are an issue Costco could solve or if that’s just a part of existing around other people.” While Costco is a well-loved place for more than 145 million cardholders globally, Hallo Reasor said she thinks that a person or family needs to have the space and an appropriate rate of food consumption that would make Costco worthwhile—and she added a pro tip for anyone who might need it sometime soon. “A 10-pack case of ranch dressing isn’t going to do you any good if it expires before you use it,” she said. “And Costco doesn’t have everything that a regular grocery store has, so we make big Costco trips and supplement with specific things at the grocery store. If you’ve got a big electronics or appliance purchase, though, definitely get the upgraded Costco membership before you do so that you can get money back.” And though Hall is a proud member of the retailer, he understands that it might not fit the lifestyles of all people who are responsible for shopping. “I think Costco is great for families and individuals who can curate their meal prep/habits to fit Costco,” he said. “I have created shopping patterns and habits around using Costco, but this doesn’t work for everyone, especially if they like more variety, don’t plan meals in advance, etc.” Recker, on the other hand, does believe that Costco can truly be beneficial for anyone (and perhaps especially for someone who wants to celebrate National Hot Dog Day this Wednesday in an affordable way). “I think the biggest draw is for families who are feeding/buying supplies for multiple people, but even though it’s just the two of us, my fiancée and I feel it’s a really good value for the membership fee,” he said. “The higher-tier membership has cash back that pays for itself after enough spend, so that’s a definite bonus. The membership fee is worth it just for hot dogs and gas alone.” WEEKLY PHOTO OP     .jpg)  Highly recommend catching up over breakfast tacos with gems like these |
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