Magnesium is a mineral that serves many vital purposes in the
body. There are more than 300 biochemical processes in the human
body that require magnesium. From the heart to the bones, some
of the body’s most fundamental systems and structures depend on
this important mineral. Both day-to-day and long-term health and
well being require sufficient intake of magnesium.
Magnesium is important to bone health and structure. Indeed,
fully half of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones.
One important contribution magnesium makes to the bones is to
assist in the production of the hormone calcitonin, which
increases the level of calcium in the bones. Magnesium also
controls the acidity of the blood, which is beneficial to bones,
as high acid levels can weaken bone structure.
Magnesium plays a role in controlling the neuromuscular
activities of the heart and helps to keep the heartbeat regular.
It also helps to keep blood pressure levels within the normal
range. For these reasons, researchers have been investigating
the ways that magnesium could affect heart disease treatment and
prevention.
There is also interest in magnesium in relation to diabetes.
That is because magnesium is necessary for insulin secretion and
function, and plays a role in controlling blood sugar. It serves
to assist in turning blood sugar into energy, as well.
Working in partnership with a variety of vitamins, minerals and
other nutrients, magnesium serves a wide range of purposes. It
is essential to the health and functioning of the body’s
neurological system and muscular system, serving – among other
purposes – to enable the contraction of muscles and nerves.
It is important to maintain adequate levels of magnesium in the
body, as serious help problems can result from deficiencies of
this essential mineral. Adult males need about 350mg of
magnesium per day, with adult women requiring 280mg daily, with
an increase of up to 420mg per day while pregnant or
breastfeeding. Children, depending on size and weight, need
between 130mg to 240mg per day.
Deficiency in magnesium can cause a variety of symptoms of
varying severity. These include significant calcium loss, heart
spasms, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, confusion, loss of
appetite, nausea, vomiting, muscle contractions and spasms,
fatigue, and feelings of weakness, both in general and in the
muscles.
Consuming the standard recommended daily intake levels of
vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is essential to good
health and the proper functioning of the body and its many
systems. Unfortunately, most people do not achieve this through
diet alone. Using nutritional supplements to make up the
difference between what you should eat and what you really do
eat is an effective and safe option, provided that you do so
with the understanding that the standard recommended dosage
should be used, unless advised otherwise by your personal health
care provider. The body’s systems are based upon a delicate
balance of chemicals, and too much can often be as harmful as
too little. A licensed nutritionist can help you to make a
supplement plan best suited to your individual dietary needs and
health goals.
About the author:
This article courtesy of http://www.joint-pain-guide.
net
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