|
Magnesium And Health
|
|
Magnesium and Health
Magnesium is a mineral that serves many vital purposes in the
body. One of the big roles that magnesium plays is as an
electrolyte. It works hand in hand with other electrolytes such
as calcium, potassium and sodium. With out magnesium, the
other electrolytes of calcium, potassium, and sodium can not
do there proper job, and are locked out of the tissues and
organs and so become ineffective.
We could say that the use of magnesium starts with the brain.
Hence these four electrolytes must be in proper balance.
With proper electrolytes, the brain can send electrical messages
to appropriate muscles telling them when and how much to
relax or contract. With out the proper nourishment, inappropriate
messages are sent from the brain.
Muscles are continually contracting and relaxing. If the body
does not get the electrolyte nourishment that is needed in the
right combination of magnesium, calcium, potassium and
sodium
then you have muscle cramps.
Magnesium does more than just work with the muscles. There
are more than 300 biochemical processes in the human body
that require magnesium. From the heart, nerves, and to the
bones, some of the body’s most fundamental systems and
structures depend on this important mineral. Both day-to-day
and long-term health and well being require sufficient intake
and absorption of magnesium.
Magnesium is important to bone health and structure. Indeed,
fully half of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones.
One important contribution magnesium makes to the bones
is to assist in the production of the hormone calcitonin, which
increases the level of calcium in the bones.
Magnesium also controls the acidity of the blood, which is
beneficial to bones, as high acid levels can weaken bone
structure.
Magnesium plays a role in controlling the neuromuscular acti-
vities of the heart and helps to keep the heartbeat regular.
It
also helps to keep blood pressure levels within the normal
range. For these reasons, researchers have been investigating
the ways that magnesium could affect heart
disease treatment
and prevention.
There is also interest in magnesium in relation to diabetes.
That is because magnesium is necessary for insulin secretion
and function, and plays a role in controlling blood sugar. It
serves to assist in turning blood sugar into energy, as well.
Working in partnership with a variety of vitamins,
minerals and
other nutrients, magnesium serves a wide range of purposes.
It is essential to the health and functioning of the body’s
neuro-
logical and muscular system, and enables the contraction of
muscles and nerves.
It should move you to check your nutrients in the food that you
are eating. Just drinking sports drinks are not the total answer.
Our major source should be coming from the food that we take
into our bodies. We must also make sure that our digestive
system, enzymes, amino acid intake is up to par.
How is yours? Are you getting enough magnesium to keep
your body working properly?
Article By Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac. Learn what you can do to
increase your health and nutrition, while decreasing your stress
by visiting the Health
And Nutrition site.
Return to mineral articles
|
