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.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entrée or soup to... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
The secret of success is knowing how to deal with... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our... Read More
Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis,... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
What is your brain made ofOver 50% of your brain... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
You really are what you eat. You are also very... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Having spent most of my life living off of junk... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
"What exercises can I do to ?? As fitness professional... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
The Immune System is probably the most important system in... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
Nutrition |