What is Magnesium? What are the Benefits of Magnesium?
Magnesium Benefits And Functions
Magnesium plays a critical role in the proper function of your cells. Your body has about 25g. of magnesium. Your bones contain most of it while the rest activate enzymes in the body.
Magnesium, like phosphorus calcium, is required to help keep teeth and bones healthy. Magnesium helps bones to grow and prevents tooth decay. It also plays an important role in the muscles. It helps muscles to relax and a deficiency of magnesium may lead to convulsions, tremors and spasms. Fibromyalgia, a disorder involving painful muscles, has been treated with magnesium malate.
Magnesium may also play a role in psychiatric disorders. Those who suffer from various mental difficulties may have lower levels of magnesium in their blood. The muscular tone of blood vessels may also be affected by magnesium. Studies have indicated that supplementing with magnesium, like magnesium citrate, may help to treat cardiovascular diseases. Those who suffer from angina, high blood pressure or diabetes may be benefited by taking magnesium.
Women who suffer from menstrual difficulties may experience relief from supplementing with magnesium. It may decrease back pain and abdominal pain. Studies have shown that supplementing with magnesium and vitamin B6 may reduce the pain associated with menstrual cramps within four to six months.
Recommended Daily Intake and Magnesium Deficiency
The Recommended Daily Intake of magnesium is 400 mg for both men and women. Pregnant or lactating women require 450 mg. Deficiency is found mostly in diabetics and alcoholics. Since it is widely distributed in various foods, those who eat a low-calorie diet or who are on various drugs, like diuretics, antibiotics and birth control pills, may experience magnesium deficiency. However, some studies indicate that as much as 60-70 percent of the population may be magnesium deficient. Adults may experience behavioral problems, delirium, confusion, convulsions, and tremors if they fail to consume enough magnesium.
Magnesium Sources
Magnesium is found in many different foods. Foods that have a high magnesium content include dairy products, nuts, meat, soybeans, seafood, wheat germ and seeds. The magnesium content of food will vary based on the content of magnesium in the soil.
References
Lieberman, Shari, The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book
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