Health Network News

It is well known that minerals are vital to maintaining good health. Most people make sure to get enough calcium and iron. There are other less well-known minerals that have a tremendous impact on well-being. Magnesium is one such mineral. Sadly, 61% of adults do not meet the US RDA for magnesium. Receiving the health benefits of magnesium can be as simple as taking a magnesium supplement.

Magnesium is especially important for building strong bones. It works with calcium to make bones more dense less prone to breakage. This ability of magnesium to improve the usage of calcium makes it excellent at preventing and even reversing osteoporosis. A serious medical condition, osteoporosis causes the bones to become very weak and easily broken. Magnesium works to bring calcium to the areas of the body where it is needed. This is good since unused calcium can form painful kidney stones or create muscle pains and cramps. Offsetting calcium intake with twice the magnesium can prevent these issues.

Magnesium also helps control high blood pressure. Magnesium does this by relaxing smooth muscles in the arteries that cause them to dilate. Studies suggest that through this action and its ability to work with potassium to manage blood pressure, magnesium helps to prevent hypertension.

Adult-onset or type 2 diabetes also seem to be be affected by magnesium deficiency. The break down of carbohydrates in the body requires magnesium. If there is a lack of magnesium, insulin resistance can result. This is a state in which the enzyme used by the body to balance our blood sugar does not work properly. More insulin becomes necessary to change the level of blood sugar. This often is a precursor condition to full type 2 diabetes. Getting sufficient magnesium increases the efficiency of carbohydrate metabolism and prevents the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Since magnesium has such an effect on diabetes and hypertension, it only seems natural that it would be a factor in cardiovascular health as well. Indeed, it is. Low magnesium is often associated with irregular heart rhythms. Sufficient levels of magnesium also help prevent abnormal clotting of the blood in the heart. Several studies have suggested that magnesium supplements can help lower the risk of stroke and heart disease and may help patients recover from strokes and heart attacks.

Many of us do not get adequate amounts of magnesium in our diet. Magnesium is a crucial mineral that affects a number of important functions. A magnesium supplement is a great way to ensure that you get enough magnesium to maintain optimum health. It is generally recommended to take twice as much magnesium as calcium. A liquid supplement will also be beneficial because liquid minerals are more readily absorbed from the digestive tract. This makes more the magnesium available to the body. Don’t be part of the 61% who are deficient in magnesium. Use a magnesium supplement to protect your precious health.