Magnesium - an often overlooked mineral!

Thursday 18th February 2010 2:33pm

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health yet, we often pay it very little attention.

Every organ in the body - especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys - needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Most important, it activates enzymes, contributes to energy production, and helps regulate calcium levels as well as copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in the body.

Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps:

Maintain normal muscle and nerve function
Keep heart rhythm steady
Support a healthy immune system
Keeps bones strong
Regulate blood sugar levels
Promote normal blood pressure
Energy metabolism and protein synthesis

The Australian RDI for adults is:

Men

19-30 years 400mg
Over 30 years 420mg

Women

19-30 years 310mg
Over 30 years 320mg

Food sources of magnesium include:

Legumes eg beans and peas
Wholegrain cereals (when white flour is refined and processed, the magnesium-rich germ and bran are removed)
Nuts
Dark green leafy vegetables eg spinach
Cocoa
Soy flour
Seeds
Nuts

Magnesium is lost in cooking some foods even under the best conditions.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency may include:

Agitation and anxiety
Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
Sleep disorders
Irritability
Nausea and vomiting
Abnormal heart rhythms
Low blood pressure
Confusion
Muscle spasm and weakness
Hyperventilation
Insomnia
Poor nail growth

It is important to note that most of these symptoms are fairly non-specific which is why magnesium is often overlooked as a cause but given its importance to most body systems it deserves more attention.

Magnesium supplementation can affect other medications because of its ability to bind to other substances. Your pharmacist or doctor should be able to help tell you whether or not any of your prescribed medications are likely to be affected.

Herb Valley supplements with Magnesium:

Magnesium and B6
Calcium Complete
Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Did you know?

The name originates from the Greek word for a district in Thessaly called Magnesia.

In 1618, a farmer at Epsom in England attempted to give his cows water from a well. They refused to drink because of the water's bitter taste. However the farmer noticed that the water seemed to heal scratches and rashes. The fame of Epsom salts spread. Eventually they were recognized to be hydrated magnesium sulphate.

This information is not intended as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Please consult a properly qualified health care practitioner.