Magnesium

Magnesium got its name from Magnesia, a district in Thessaly where it is found in great abundance. Magnesium is grayish-white in color and is the eighth most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is a type of metal available in many forms, including chips, granules, powder, rod, foil, sheet, turnings, and ribbon.

As one of the essential trace minerals, magnesium is needed by every cell of the body. Most of this mineral’s stores in the body are found inside cells of body tissues and organs. The rest are used in combination with calcium and phosphorus and are therefore concentrated in the bones. One percent of this mineral is found in the blood and this percentage is something that the body works very hard to keep constant.

Health Benefits

More 300 biochemical reactions in the body need magnesium. Therefore, it is not surprising to say that this mineral is highly beneficial for the body’s health. For starters, magnesium is a key player in the maintenance of normal muscle and nerve function. This mineral keeps the heart beat steady, the rhythm constant, and the bones strong. It also involves itself in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Because of magnesium’s function in regulating the circulatory system, it is now known for its ability to prevent heart disease. Aside from that, it is also believed to play a role in treating chronic conditions, like fibromylagia, and diseases that are more or less associated with heart ailments, such as diabetes.

Magnesium helps in energy production. It helps the body produce adequate amounts of insulin, making sure that there is just enough glucose in the body – neither too little, nor too much. In addition, magnesium is critical for proper nerve function and is said to possess properties that promote relaxation for the muscles.

Commonly paired with calcium, magnesium helps in bone formation and enhancement of bone strength. It is involved in the clotting blood and the regulation of the heart rhythm. With all these benefits combined, it’s no wonder that magnesium is sometimes taken to combat such ailments as back pain, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, panic, muscle cramps, and migraine headache.

Clinical studies have shown that a deficiency in magnesium might cause the heart to suffer. This mineral is said to help in coordinating heart muscle activity with essential nerve functions. Blood flow is also regulated with the presence of this mineral in the body. For this reason, it is used to treat angina as it can keep coronary arteries from going into spasms.

A recent study made use of more than 230 people to outline the dangers associated with magnesium deficiency. It was found that the likelihood of these people to develop arrhythmias dropped after three weeks of magnesium and potassium in their diets. In hospitals, magnesium injections are used to help the heart recover after an attack. Its ability to stabilize heart beats, inhibit blood clots, and expand coronary arteries has become the basis for this common practice.

Buying Information

Magnesium is found in several food products. As a supplement, it is available in many forms, such as tablet, powder, and capsules. During the process of selecting a magnesium product, go for one that is labeled “magnesium nitrate.” This is the form of magnesium which the body absorbs best.