Magnesium and its Importance

It is very important to include Magnesium in our diet. Deficiencies of magnesium can be dangerous. However, Magnesium is a mineral that not many of us give any thought to. It is important to know all of the vitamins and minerals we need to get. We should all be eating a healthy and balanced diet.

Magnesium is used by all the cells in your body. It is used to keep bones strong, helps maintain nerve and muscle functioning, and keeps the heart rhythmic and steady. You can see why a deficiency of this mineral can be dangerous. Magnesium is found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seed, and some whole grains.

Your body only requires a small amount of magnesium, but there is also only a minute amount of magnesium found in most of the foods listed above. This is why it is so critical to eat a balanced diet full of healthy and nutritious foods.

The symptoms of Magnesium deficiency include disorientation, confusion, depression, abnormal heartbeat, loss of appetite, cramps, numbness, and seizures. Magnesium deficiency is fairly uncommon. Magnesium deficiencies has been linked to over-consumption of alcohol. Magnesium is often depleted though the urine and magnesium deficiencies.

You can ask your doctor or nutritionist as to what the recommended daily amount of magnesium is. Many books and websites can help you determine how much magnesium you should be consuming each day. This number varies for men, women, different age groups, pregnant women, and lactating women. A great way to prevent any deficiencies is by knowing how much magnesium you should be taking, and how much is in certain foods.

If you do not think you are getting enough magnesium in your diet consider taking a supplement. You can take magnesium supplements or multi vitamins. If you are not getting enough magnesium you probably are not getting enough of other vitamins and minerals as well. The best source for all vitamins and minerals is fresh and healthy foods, but the next best thing is a multi vitamin.

Drastic changes in your eating habits should be considered if you find yourself relying on multi vitamins for all your dietary needs. There are a number of reasons that could require you to take a magnesium supplement. For example you may need to take a supplement to ensure you have enough magnesium in your diet if you have chronic mal-absorption.

Some studies have shown that magnesium helps to lower high blood pressure or hypertension. Whether or not this is true it cannot hurt to increase the number of vegetables and fruits you eat each day. Magnesium deficiencies have been linked to metabolic changes that may cause heart attacks or strokes. As you can see, magnesium is a very important mineral to have in your diet.

Be wary of taking too many supplements, laxatives, and antacids. There is the danger of too much magnesium. There is little risk of any overdose if you are getting magnesium through your diet. However if you take too many supplements there is the danger of magnesium toxicity. The symptoms of too much magnesium are very similar to those of magnesium deficiencies.

Make sure you are getting the proper amounts of fruits and vegetables each day, as magnesium is a very important mineral. You probably never need to worry about a magnesium deficiency if you eat a balanced diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlegoldmine.com

Frank Landrens is the webmaster for BHP Magnesium, the #1 source on the internet for information about magnesium. For more articles on magnesium visit: www.bhpmagnesium.com/articles
This and other unique content magnesium articles are available with free reprint rights.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated