The Importantance of Magnesium in Our Bodies

The importance of magnesium in our bodies is crucial for maintaining good health, about half of the magnesium in our bodies is found in our bones. Our bones act as a reservoir for this mineral, if your diet is deficient in magnesium your body will draw the calcium from your bones. Magnesium is found in both animals and plants. It helps plants with photosynthesis and acts as a metabolic reaction in animals. The human body has over three hundred biochemical processes in the body that requires Magnesium.

How the body use Magnesium

Adequate amounts of magenesium is possibly more important than calcium intake, it helps in the production of the hormone calcitonin. which is used to produce calcium in the bones. It also helps to control acidity in the blood, which helps the bones. High levels of acid can weaken the bone structure. Children and adults can not survive without a daily intake of magnesium. The lower the levels of Magnesium in a person’s body the more likely you are to develop certain illnesses and diseases.

Magnesium also helps to control neuromuscular activities of the heart and helps to keep the heart beating regularly. It can also help to normalise blood pressure levels for a period of time. A deficiency of magnesium can impair the utilisation of calcium for building strong bones , it can result in calcium being deposited in soft tissue instead of the bones where it is required

Daily requirements of Magnesium

According to the National Research Council individuals need between three to four hundred milligrams of Magnesium daily to get the recommended allowances. Adult males need about three hundred and fifty milligrams per day, with adult women needing about two hundred and eighty milligrams that should increase to about four hundred and twenty for pregnant women and during breastfeeding. Children depending on their size and weight need about one hundred and thirty milligrams a day. Statistics show that many individuals do not take the recommended dosages of magnesium.

Commmon signs of Magnesium Deficiency

There are a variety of illnesses that a person can develop if there isn’t a sufficient amount of magnesium in their diet on a daily basis.

• Musculo-Skeletal Issues – Tremors and restlessness, Osteoporosis, chronic fatigue and weakness and muscle spasm.
• Cardiovascular Disease – There is a variety of cardiovascular diseases that are linked to a deficiency of Magnesium in the body. These include atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias, and vasospasm.
• Premenstrual Syndrome – Magnesium deficiency increases the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
• Psychiatric Issues – Individuals who suffer from irritability, depression, or bipolar disorders have been found to have lower levels of Magnesium.
• Neurological Issues – Individuals who suffer from migraine headaches, noise and pain sensitivity also have been known to experience low levels of Magnesium.
• Endocrine Issues – Magnesium plays a role in acting as a messenger for insulin, it is important in the secretion and function of insulin. It plays a key role in controlling the blood sugar levels in the body. It plays an important role in the prevention of diabetes. It also assists the body in turning blood sugar into energy, as key role in the formation of diabetes.
• Choclate cravings can be a sign of magnesium deficiency, once the body has the required magnesium levels the craving for chocolate will cease.
• Restless Legs

A large number of people don’t get the recommended dose of many vitamins and minerals in their daily diets, and they often rely of supplements. The body’s system needs these nutrients in order to function correctly, without adequate daily doses of Magnesium the body can experience a wide range of symptoms that can turn in to potentially serious conditions. It is important to see your doctor and find out if you have a Magnesium deficiency this way it can be treated and serious problems averted.

Adequate amounts of magnesium taken on a daily basis will help reduce:

• Cramps and muscle tremors
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Stress
• Heart Disease

To much magnesium will result in the following conditions:

• Diarrhoea

Foods that contain magnesium:

• Nuts
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains and legumes
• Especially high in wheatgrass

In the past grains which were high in magnesium has diminished due to refining processes and deficiency of this precious mineral in soils has contributed to a large number of people deficient in this essential mineral.

Related posts:

1. Benefits of Vitamins And Minerals
2. The Importance of A Good Diet and Physical Exercise