Magnesium is an essential mineral and is important for more than 300 biochemical reactions that take place in your body. Found in teeth, bones, and red blood cells, magnesium is extremely important for proper functioning of the muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. A magnesium deficiency will most likely result in issues including muscle weakness, irritability, and irregular heartbeat. You usually get all the magnesium you need from a balanced diet, but a specific illness may require you to take magnesium supplements. Following are some interesting magnesium benefits that explain why it is important to ensure you're supplying your body with the right amount of magnesium.
8 Great Magnesium Benefits
Regulate Heart and Blood Function
One of many magnesium benefits is that it helps regulate your heart and blood function. If you're not taking enough magnesium, it will increase cardiovascular risk because this essential nutrient promotes healthy heart muscle. It is equally important for the nerves that initiate the heartbeat. By making sure you're supplying your body with enough magnesium, you won't have to deal with issues like cardiac damage, arrhythmias, damaged blood vessels, and spasms of coronary arteries that may lead to angina.
Promote Bone Health
Together with vitamin D and calcium, magnesium will promote stronger bones and healthy teeth. By eating food rich in magnesium, you will help improve your bone density. That's probably the reason why women suffering from osteoporosis usually have low magnesium levels. Magnesium is also important for your body to use vitamin D and calcium that in turn promote healthy bones.
Decrease Risk of Colon Cancer
Several studies have confirmed that people who eat magnesium-rich food are at a lower risk of developing colon cancer. Some studies have also found that magnesium rich food may also help prevent rectal cancer. This magnesium benefit is usually associated with magnesium rich food, and not with magnesium supplements.
Treat Depression
According to university of Maryland medical center, if your body doesn't have enough magnesium, your serotonin levels may come down a bit. This will most definitely lead to depression. Many studies have also found that antidepressants work by raising brain magnesium. Other studies have shown that magnesium is actually more beneficial than the tricyclic antidepressants, especially in diabetic people.
Prevent Diabetes
People with Type 2 diabetes are usually magnesium deficit, meaning there is insufficient magnesium in their bloodstream. A study has also confirmed the fact that increasing magnesium intake may help prevent Type2 diabetes. Some other studies have found that magnesium supplements may also help regulate blood sugar level and control insulin sensitivity in some patients.
Relive Fibromyalgia
According to university of Maryland medical center, a small clinical study of 24 people has confirmed that the use of magnesium and malic acid may help improve tenderness and pain associated with fibromyalgia. Some other studies have also shown that the combination of magnesium and calcium may help people with fibromyalgia.
Benefit Pregnant Women
During the 3rd trimester, many pregnant women experience a sharp rise in blood pressure. The condition is called preeclampsia and often leads to seizures, which is then called eclampsia. Magnesium may help in this case, but it's usually taken in the hospital intravenously (IV).
Deal With PMS Discomfort
Scientific studies show that increasing your magnesium intake may help relieve certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including insomnia, bloating, breast tenderness, and weight gain. To make it even effective, may consider taking magnesium with vitamin B6.
Precaution of Taking Magnesium
Correct Dosage of Magnesium
If you're on a magnesium supplement, you should not exceed the recommended dosage. Men usually need up to 300mg a day, whereas women only need 270mg of magnesium a day. You should stick to these numbers and under no circumstances should you be exceeding 400mg of magnesium a day or it may cause diarrhea.
Possible Risk of Taking Magnesium
If you take too much of magnesium, you may have to deal with certain side effects such as cramps, nausea, low blood pressure, fatigue, and muscle weakness and diarrhea.
It is equally important to understand that magnesium supplements may interact with certain medications and aren't safe to use if you take heart medicines, diuretics, or antibiotics.
Moreover, you should not take magnesium without consulting your doctor if you have diabetes or are suffering from an intestinal disease.
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