The Forgotten Mineral

If your body could tell you what it wants, here is what it would say: "I want magnesium!". And why does your body like magnesium?

 Magnesium has many health benefits, it’s important to make sure you're getting enough of this essential mineral.

In the past we have been focused on getting high amounts of calcium in our bodies.  The truth is we must have a balance of calcium and magnesium. If we are increasing calcium then we must do the same with magnesium and vitamin D. They work synergistically together.

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and it’s essential for good health.  It is needed for every cell in our body, used in building bones, manufacturing proteins and regulating body temperature. The human body is not capable of producing magnesium on its own, which is why it is essential that we obtain it through supplementation and diet. Be sure to eat plenty of leafy green veggies, nuts and seeds every day. Try to eat your veggies raw, when we cook or boil our foods we lose many of the vital nutrients that our bodies require for good health.

Magnesium is present in many foods; however it is usually in small amounts.  This is why we need to take a magnesium supplement. The recommended daily allowance is between 300mg/day to 700mg/day. This dosage depends on age, sex, weight and many other factors.  If you have definite deficiency symptoms you may want to increase your dosage, twice the amount of magnesium to calcium until symptoms are gone.  If you have too much magnesium you will have an increase of bowel movements. This is a sign that you are including to much magnesium.  I’m careful to warn people not to go over that limit for the simple reason that food is moved through the gastro intestinal tract too quickly with too much magnesium, and that cuts down on absorption of nutrients (both from foods and supplements).

Some common signs of magnesium deficiency include; muscle spasms, stress, PMS, depression, anxiety, headaches/migraines, kidney stones, constipation, angina, weakness, insomnia, osteoporosis, stroke and many more.

People taking certain medications, such as diuretics or some antibiotics, as well as heavy drinkers need high doses. The elderly, in particular, may have low magnesium levels, because they tend to consume less of it, and with age the human body absorbs and retains less of it. Magnesium has also been shown to help woman build and maintain strong bones, relieve symptoms of menopause and pre menstrual syndrome. Magnesium lowers the risk of premature labor.

In the past decade I have been working in the nutrition field and I must say that magnesium is a miracle mineral. I have seen individuals transform there health and well being with this one forgotten mineral. Before taking magnesium check with your doctor if you have any kidney problems or a serious medical condition.

 

The author of this article, Chandelle McClintock, is a Nutritional consultant at Cayman's Pure Health Vitamin and Sport Supplement Store.

Written by :

Chandelle McClintock

 

Health & Fitness - Diet and Nutrition