What is it?

Magnesium is an essential macro-mineral needed for energy production; formation of bones and cells; nerves signal transmission and muscle relaxation; heart health; blood sugar control.

Function

How it helps

Bone health

Bone tissue contains approximately 60% of the magnesium found in the body and is needed to regulate calcium and increase the activity of Vitamin D.

Muscle health and function Magnesium is needed for the relaxation phase of muscle function, it also affects muscular function through its influence on neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the nervous system.
Energy Magnesium is an essential coenzyme within many enzyme systems, it is involved in hundreds of catalytic reactions within the body and is particularly critical to energy production.
Cardiovascular health Magnesium is needed for correct smooth muscle function, it helps lower blood pressure and reduce sodium build up in cells.
Hormone health PMT sufferers have significantly lower levels of magnesium in red and mononuclear blood cells. Higher levels of magnesium help to lower levels of aldosterone reducing fluid retention and breast pain.
Nerve health Magnesium works with calcium to ensure proper nerve impulse transmission. A lack of dietary magnesium is associated with muscle spasms, twitches or tremors due to hypersensitive nerves.
Stress Magnesium is required for adrenal health and synthesis of adrenal stress hormones.
Pain relief Magnesium supplementation has been shown to improve certain pain-related disorders such as migraine and tension headaches and fibromyalgia.

 

 

What is it used for?

 

Cardiovascular health

High blood pressure

Stokes

Congestive heart failure

Heart attack / Angina Muscular health and function
Nerve health and function Anxiety

Ostoeporosis

Migraine headaches

PMT & period pains Fibromyalgia

 

 

Best food sources

 

Beans Fish Grains
Green leafy vegetables Nuts Meat
Buckwheat Whole wheat Millet
Rye Brown rice Avocado
Sweet corn Dried figs Dates

 

Deficiency Symptoms

Fatigue

Cardiovascular disease

Hypertension

Congestive heart failure

Muscle stiffness, cramps, twitches, tremors

Migraines
High stress levels Fibromyalgia Weakness

Supplementation dosage range

200-800mg per day

 

Other information

It is best to take a multi mineral formula if you take magnesium for long periods.

Magnesium works with vitamin B6 to improve hormone health.

Alcoholics and people with absorption problems may need to supplement magnesium

 

Cautions

  • Moderate to high doses of magnesium may cause loose stools, especially if taken in the form of Epsom salts, magnesium chloride or magnesium hydroxide.

  • Patients with atrioventricular blockage or other severe forms of heart disease should not take magnesium supplements unless on the advice and under the strict monitoring of a doctor.

  • Patients with kidney disease should not take magnesium supplements unless on the advice and under the strict monitoring of a doctor.

  • Patients taking drugs for cardiovascular disease or heart defects should not take magnesium supplements unless on the advice and under the strict monitoring of a doctor.

  • Patients taking the drugs wafarin or tetracycline should not take magnesium supplements unless on the advice and under the strict monitoring of a doctor.

  • Because very high intakes of magnesium can reduce the absorption of calcium (and vice versa), it is normally recommended that these minerals should be taken together when used in higher amounts (unless otherwise directed by a qualified healthcare practitioner).

Factors which deplete levels, impair absorption and/or inhibit activity:

Alcohol

Oral contraceptives

Diuretic drugs

Stress

Kidney or liver disease

Calcium (very high intake)

Dietary fat (very high intake)

Dietary protein (very high intake)

 

Lois

I’m passionate about healthy living and sharing my message with as many people as possible. It was this passion that drove me to start the Health and Wellbeing News.

I believe that good health in body, mind and spirit is vital if we are to achieve our highest potential as human beings. Health and Wellbeing News brings together all that I’ve learned in the past 20 years and draws upon the knowledge of renowned experts from all round the world, to help you become the healthiest and happiest version of you.

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