Posted by Renée Leonard-Stainton on 20 July 2014 - 8:46pm
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Importance of Magnesium for Good Health
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is critical for good health. Approximately fifty per cent of total body magnesium is found in our bones. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs, with only one per cent of magnesium found in our blood. However, that one per cent in our blood is vitally important and our body is constantly regulating that amount to keep us healthy. Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency in adults is very common due to our busy modern lifestyles and convenience diets.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is critical for good health. Approximately fifty per cent of total body magnesium is found in our bones. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs, with only one per cent of magnesium found in our blood. However, that one per cent in our blood is vitally important and our body is constantly regulating that amount to keep us healthy. Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency in adults is very common due to our busy modern lifestyles and convenience diets.
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Before we look at signs and symptoms of a possible magnesium deficiency, and how we can possibly treat it, it’s important to understand magnesium’s role in our body. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. For example, magnesium;
- Helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function
- Keeps the heart rhythm steady
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Helps the body synthesize fats and protein
- Keeps bones strong
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels
- Promotes normal blood pressure
- Is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis
- Together with calcium, is involved in muscle contraction and blood clotting
- Helps prevent dental cavities by holding calcium in tooth enamel
- Is critical to heart function and helps protect against hypertension and heart disease
- Deficiency symptoms may include weakness, confusion, bizarre muscle movements (especially of the eye and facial muscles), hallucinations, and difficulty in swallowing.
People may consider magnesium supplementation if they suffer from any of the following diseases or symptoms;
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscular pain, twitches cramps and weakness
- Migraines and tension headaches
- Fatigue, stress, and blood sugar maintenance
- Insomnia
- Impaired memory or cognitive function
- Menstrual pain or irregularities
- Heart palpitations
- Osteoporosis
Magnesium depletion in otherwise healthy individuals can be caused by:
- Low magnesium diets, processed foods and carbonated drinks
- Soft water consumption
- Calcium supplements
- Prescription and over the counter medications
Some conditions can increase vulnerability to deficiency, including:
- Alcohol and other addictions
- Kidney disorders
- Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea
- Diuretic use
- Ageing, illness and stress (stress increases adrenaline production, which increases magnesium excretion)
- Digestive and genetic disorders
Along with supplementation, dietary changes can go a great way in naturally increasing your magnesium levels. Include into your daily diet foods naturally high in magnesium such as brown rice, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, halibut (a type of fish) and black beans.
Before self-diagnosing a magnesium deficiency, it is important to talk to a health professional to rule out any other possible causes for the symptoms above.
Live well, live long, live naturally
Renée x