Half the population of industrialized countries is magnesium deficient and that will increase with age. Eighty percent of the population of the US alone is magnesium deficient.
Magnesium and Your Heart
Magnesium is one of the two most important minerals for heart support. Your heart requires magnesium to function properly. It is 18 times more concentrated in the heart muscle than in the bloodstream and is generally the mineral missing when heart problems occur.
Magnesium decreases coagulation of the blood, thereby lowering blood pressure. With lower blood pressure your heart is able to operate more efficiently. It also assists in keeping the blood vessels healthy, which allows them to open more easily to allow for optimal blood flow. This is especially important during exercise.
Magnesium is extremely important for your memory and other cognitive abilities. It is thought that magnesium deficiency may contribute to age dependent memory decline. With half the population of industrialized countries magnesium deficient and with the North American population aging, increasing magnesium intake may just be an important factor in maintaining brain health and memory.
Some experts also see similarities between the symptoms of attention deficit disorder and the symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency.
The brain uses magnesium to build the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve fibres of our nervous system. Magnesium deficiency also causes a reduction in the production of dopamine. Dopamine deficiency is indicated in some abnormal movement disorders such as Parkinson`s disease.
Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
The symptoms of magnesium deficiency are varied. They include:
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- personality changes
- muscle spasms
- tremors
- arrhythmia
- fibromyalgia
- depression
- cramps
- cluster headaches
- chronic fatigue syndrome
High levels of stress are also considered to be a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium assists and strengthens the bodies cells that are under stress.
Other possible problems associated with magnesium deficiency are asthma, alcoholism, calcification of organs and tissue, cancer and diabetes.
Sources of Magnesium
Magnesium supplements are available but the best source of magnesium is through diet. Cacao is an important source of magnesium. Studies with rats have indicated that cacao may correct chronic magnesium deficiency. Other sources of dietary magnesium are:
- green leafy vegetables
- nuts such as almonds cashews pecans and walnuts
- avocados
- shrimp
- legumes
- figs and dates
- brown rice
Magnesium is not only important for the health of your heart and brain, it is also important for a whole range of bodily functions.
References:
Naked Chocolate, David Wolfe and Shazzie Maul Brothers Publishing San Diego California
The Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition, Merck & Co Pocketbooks a div of Simon and Schuster Inc New York
Taber`s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, F.A. Davis Company Philadelphia
Joy Borthwick - Joy has been a Chartered Herbalist since 2001 and obtained her Herbal Consulting degree in 2005 from Dominion Herbal College. She has been ...
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