The human body places a great deal of responsibility on Magnesium. It assists with the nerve impulse transmissions, helps to detoxify the body, increases energy production, and helps with the formation of healthy teeth and bones. These are but a few of the many critical influences that this mineral has on the body.
Scientists will readily admit that there is much that is not known about magnesium as yet, but most will agree that it is vital for optimized health and plays many different roles in the body’s healthy functioning.
Osteoporosis:
Not only does this mineral have many preventative factors about it, for those with osteoporosis it is believed that magnesium can help to reverse this condition. Individuals lacking in the proper amount of magnesium have shown alterations in their calcium and related hormones which can lead to osteoporosis.
Fibromyalgia:
Some medical observations have suggested that individuals with fibromyalgia showed lower levels of magnesium in the blood tests conducted with these patients. They also observed that the more significant the fibromyalgia symptoms were, the lower the magnesium level. Muscle strength and movement is dependent on oxygen and glucose, and unless there is enough magnesium present the red blood cells cannot provide this. This has drawn some in the medical profession to believe this could be what is affecting the muscle symptoms and the amount of tenderness individuals with this condition are experiencing.
Gastric upsets:
There are strong indications that magnesium is also known to be useful in settling an upset stomach. This in part is what has made the long standing product Milk of Magnesia one that many people reach for.
Magnesium for diabetes
Research is beginning to show that individuals who suffer from a magnesium deficiency could also be at risk for getting type-2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. It has been shown that by increasing the magnesium daily intake by 100 milligrams in these individuals that it reduced the risk of type-2 diabetes by 15%.
Magnesium effects on athletic performance:
It has been strongly indicated that a drop in magnesium also reflects a drop in performance for those that are active in their athletics. Magnesium has been widely recognized for its need in energy production.
There is ample research to show the many benefits that magnesium has to offer:
Migraine Headaches:
This is another condition that many people suffer from and research is also indicating that individuals who suffer with these headaches are also experiencing low magnesium levels. One study showed that those suffering with migraines and were given magnesium enjoyed a reduction of the frequency of these attacks by 41.6% (source: University of Maryland Medical Center)
Insomnia in the elderly:
A study reported in the US National Library of Medicine reports on a study of how magnesium can benefit seniors suffering from insomnia. The results as quoted: “Supplementation of magnesium appears to improve subjective and objective measures of insomnia in elderly people and may become a useful instrument in managing sleep disorders in the elderly, which could also be extended as a helpful aid to the general population.†(source: ncbi.)
Dietary Magnesium Intake and Risk of Stroke:
Another research paper can be quoted as reporting: Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with risk of stroke, specifically ischemic stroke. (source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
While magnesium is not high on most people’s list when it comes to determining the state of their health, based on what is being discovered about its importance, it should be something everyone should be concerned about.