Magnesium – 11 Health Benefits
Magnesium is essential, among others for the proper functioning of our muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. Half of the magnesium in our body is stored in our bones. When your body becomes deficient in this mineral, you may have problems with your bones and teeth.
Magnesium is also needed to maintain a healthy heart and the right rhythm of its work in both chambers, so people suffering from arrhythmia must take it every day.
See what other aspects of your health depend on the adequate level of magnesium in your diet.
How to increase the level of magnesium in the diet?
Leafy vegetables and whole grains are the richest natural sources of magnesium. In addition to these, you will find a lot of magnesium in foods such as:
- Vegetables (tomatoes, beets, legumes, artichokes, sweet potatoes)
- Pumpkin seeds
- Peanuts
- Wheat and corn flour
- Oat bran
- Barley
- Chocolate
- Dairy products such as milk and yoghurt
- Fish
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can lead to the following disorders:
- Neck and back pain
- Anxiety disorders
- Migraine attacks
- Muscle weakness
- Contractions
- Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Heart arythmia
- Release
Magnesium deficiency can sometimes be caused by more serious medical conditions, such as diabetes and depression. It is also not uncommon for women going through the menopause.
Magnesium and its beneficial effects on health
It relieves asthma attacks
Magnesium supplements are very helpful in controlling asthma attacks because magnesium helps to relax the muscles in the throat, making it easier to breathe.
Magnesium alone will not cure the disease, of course, but it is advisable to take it along with prescribed asthma medications.
Healthy bones
Adding magnesium to your diet helps regulate your calcium, vitamin D, copper, and zinc levels. This means that maintaining the correct level of this mineral will reduce the occurrence of osteoporosis in old age.
If you have bone pain, be sure to increase the levels of magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D in your diet.
Safe pregnancy and magnesium
Pregnant women should absolutely control the level of magnesium in their body, also because it helps to relieve pain. What’s more, thanks to magnesium, women with high blood pressure can prevent problems such as pre-eclampsia, called pre-eclampsia.
It relaxes the muscles of the neck and back
Magnesium helps to relax the muscles of the neck and back, where tension most often builds up when we are stressed.
Back pain is a fairly common symptom of magnesium deficiency and usually disappears when we raise the level of this mineral in the diet or use magnesium supplements.
It helps prevent heart attacks
As magnesium helps to prevent arrhythmias, it keeps the heart healthy for longer and lowers the risk of an attack. This is related to muscle tension, which you can also prevent by maintaining the correct level of magnesium in your diet. The less muscle tension you have, the healthier your heart is.
It regulates the excretion processes
If you suffer from constipation treat yourself to a solid dose of a magnesium supplement dissolved in water and you will feel relieved quickly.
Magnesium helps relax the intestinal muscles, which has a laxative effect.
It prevents diabetes and regulates sugar levels
Adequate magnesium levels are essential for the proper processing of sugar in the body and for regulating blood pressure levels. Therefore, doctors recommend consuming magnesium supplements for people with diabetes
Magnesium helps absorb other minerals
Thanks to magnesium, your body is able to use vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorus more efficiently.
It soothes the headaches of migraines
Migraine affects a lot of people, especially women. Increasing the level of magnesium in your diet can help significantly alleviate the symptoms of migraine and reduce its frequency.
It stimulates the production of collagen
Magnesium is a very important element in the collagen production process. Collagen is present in the fibrous tissues of which they are composed, inter alia, tendons, ligaments and skin.
The efficient functioning of the intestines, blood vessels and vertebrae also depends on the level of collagen. The more collagen there is in your body, the better these organs will function.
It activates enzymes
This mineral is very effective in increasing the energy level in the body. At the same time, it accelerates the production of enzymes that are responsible for the release of energy from cells.
Include natural magnesium in your diet
Many people, after realizing how important magnesium is for our body, immediately take supplements of this mineral. However, it is much better to introduce dishes containing magnesium-rich foods to your menu.
If you suspect that your body is severely deficient in magnesium, see a doctor who will check the causes and prescribe a supplement in the right dose.
