Magnesium is a mineral found in nature as the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. It is an essential element in the life of plants and animals. But did you know that magnesium is an essential micronutrient that plays a key role in many bodily processes? Read on to learn more about magnesium benefits.
What is Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for critical body functions such as muscle, nerves, heart and bone function. It is also an electrolyte, which means that it carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood. However, the majority of magnesium in the body is bound to proteins or stored in the skeleton. About half of the magnesium in the body is in the bones and less than 1 percent is in the bloodstream.
The Role of Magnesium in Our Body
Magnesium is one of the seven essential trace minerals and is vital for many body functions, such as muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation and immune system support. It plays a role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the human body. Magnesium deficiency is linked to a range of health complications.
Health Benefits of Magnesium
Getting enough of magnesium can help prevent or treat chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bone disease, muscle cramps and more. Health benefits of magnesium include:
- Improves bone health – It can improve bone health by helping to regulate calcium and vitamin D levels, which are vital for bone health. Researchers have found a significant association between magnesium intake and bone health. Getting enough magnesium in the diet can help maintain musculoskeletal health and prevent age-related conditions such as osteoporosis and bone fractures.
- Improves heart health – A study has shown that higher levels of magnesium have a protective effect on heart health.
- Helps prevent insomnia – It has a calming effect on many people, which may improve sleep. The study has shown that the rates of restless legs syndrome in participants decreased and that the overall sleep efficiency improved.
- Helps prevent diabetes – Studies have shown that higher levels of magnesium reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
- Helps relieve migraine symptoms– Some people have reported that higher doses of magnesium have helped relieve migraine symptoms.
Magnesium is a mineral found in nature as the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.
- Helps with anxiety and depression – Taking magnesium can play a role in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
- Helps with constipation – Taking magnesium by mouth is helpful as a laxative for constipation.
- Reduces heartburn symptoms – Taking magnesium by mouth as an antacid reduces the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.
- Helps with muscle cramps – Taking magnesium orally or applying magnesium oil topically can prevent or treat muscle cramps.
- Helps with asthma attacks – Administering magnesium intravenously can help treat sudden asthma attacks.
- Helps reduce the risk of colon cancer – Research shows that eating more foods with magnesium in them can reduce the risk of colon cancer.
- Lower cholesterol levels – Taking magnesium chloride and magnesium oxide slightly lowers LDL cholesterol levels.
- Helps prevent kidney stones – Some research shows that taking magnesium by mouth could prevent kidney stones from forming.
Magnesium Deficiency
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness and tingling
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
- Heart rhythm changes or spasms
- Personality changes
- High blood pressure
- Mental disorders
Side Effects of Magnesium
When taken by mouth magnesium is likely safe for most people when taken in doses less than 350 mg per day. In some people, magnesium causes nausea, diarrhoea, or stomach upset. Large doses can cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, slow breathing, confusion, coma and death.
There are many benefits of incorporating magnesium into your diet!
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➥ DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to replace medical treatment. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.