Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions in the body. There are more than 300 biochemical processes in the human body that require the use of the mineral magnesium. From the center of the human body, the heart, to the framework, the bones, some of the body's most fundamental systems and structures depend on this very vital mineral. For a normal life and health, sufficient amount of magnesium must be taken and maintained by the human body daily.
Magnesium is important to bone health and structure. Indeed, fully half of the magnesium in the human 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 helps 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 is also believed to play a part in controlling the neuromuscular activities of the heart and helps to keep the heartbeat steady and regular. It 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. If proven positive, this could revolutionalize the treatment of the disease!
There is also interest in magnesium in relation to diabetes. That is because magnesium is necessary for insulin secretion and function and it also plays a big role in controlling blood sugar. Magnesium serves to assist in turning blood sugar into energy.
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.
Having so many uses, it is therefore important to maintain sufficient levels of magnesium in the body as serious health problems can result from deficiencies of this essential mineral. Adult males need about 350mg of magnesium per day and 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.
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.b esthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/
green cleaning service Glencoe ..I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
The key to good hydration is drinking a lot of... Read More
1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
I don't understand people sometimes. You know, there is a... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
For all I prefer to buy my fresh produce at... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
East Meets WestAsian cultures have realized the medical benefits of... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Cholesterol has been around for thousands of years. It's a... Read More
Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
What are Glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are eight newly discovered biologically-active sugars... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
Nutrition |