Magnesium

Should you consider taking supplemental doses of the micronutrient magnesium? Most definitely. A high percentage of the population does not get enough of the RDA for manesium, though, according to many experts, even the RDA is too low to take full advantage of the powerful benefits of magnesium.

What are the benefits of magnesium? Reputed to be the "antistress" mineral, Magnesium has been found to help ward off the formation of blood clots, lower blood pressure, prevent complications related to diabetes, assist in maintaining bone strength, and contribute to greater life expectancy by reducing the risk of heart disease and by limiting the effects of free radical damage. Magnesium is, without a doubt, a valuable component of an antiaging conscious, longevity minded health regimen.

Magnesium is a mineral that is essential to a wide variety of body processes, including energy production, protein formation, DNA production, and nerve conduction. It helps maintain normal levels of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, adrenaline and insulin, and keeps the bones strong and the heart healthy.

Magnesium helps to relax the heart muscles to maintain a regular heartbeat, and thus prevent sudden changes in blood pressure. In fact, magnesium can be used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmia. If given immediately after a heart attack and for the following four weeks, magnesium has been shown to speed recovery by reducing the number of dangerous arrhythmias.

Magnesium also protects the heart by discouraging the aggregation (clumping) of red blood cells, which can lead to the formation of blood clots, and by raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Magnesium is essential for the development and maintenance of healthy bones. If taken in relatively high amounts, it works together with calcium and vitamin D to help keep bones strong and prevent osteoporosis.

Magnesium is also sometimes prescribed for treatment of migraines, asthma, and diabetes. People with diabetes often have low magnesium levels, and there’s some evidence that 200 to 300 milligrams of magnesium each day could help prevent and treat this disease. It is also often combined with vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to help dissolve kidney stones.

Magnesium has been used as a treatment for other conditions as well, including Raynaud’s disease, skeletal muscle spasm from injury or trauma, gangrene, epilepsy, spastic colon, dry skin, nervous irritability, and lead toxicity.

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