Poppet
Nutritional Advisor
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- Sep 5, 2011
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Australia
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Magnesium
There is no question that magnesium is a star amongst the minerals when it comes to optimal health and wellbeing.
Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body and essential for many of the fundamental biological processes. As magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body it is essential to good health. Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant.
There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines and excreted through the kidneys.
You can get magnesium in different forms, dietary, transdermally or via supplementation e.g. powder and tablets often with the B vitamins included.
If too much is taken one will get increased bowel action, so you back off.. most bottles will give you the correct dosages for that particular product. Always consult your treating physician or surgeon for advice regarding the taking of supplements with prescribed medications.
Sleep
We all appreciate post surgery the benefit of a good nights sleep - in fact we crave it, and often feel deprived and yet it eludes us!
For all its roles in energy production, it is a very important mineral for relaxation for muscles. The role of magnesium is to modulate normal and healthy muscle contraction and relaxation, that is the reason for taking it at night and that is why it can help with restless leg syndrome and cramping muscles.
Stress
We all suffer stress post operatively and stress has an impact on the nutrient levels in our body for each and every cell type, soft tissue right down to bone. Magnesium is often depleted during times of stress. Low levels of magnesium have been shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to stressors.
In addition to supporting the body during times of stress, both magnesium and B vitamins may assist in the production of energy. Magnesium and B vitamins are involved in the breakdown and metabolism of macro nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats which are required for energy.
Magnesium is classed as a hero mineral in therapeutic medicine and where required can be taken throughout the day. However, the best way to obtain the mineral is through a balanced diet, so let me provide you with some information on how to obtain magnesium via your diet versus taking a supplement!
What foods provide magnesium?
Green vegetables such as spinach are good sources of magnesium because the center of the chlorophyll molecule (which gives green vegetables their color) contains magnesium.
Some legumes (beans and peas), nuts and seeds, and whole, unrefined grains are also good sources of magnesium. Refined grains are generally low in magnesium.
When white flour is refined and processed, the magnesium-rich germ and bran are removed. Bread made from whole grain wheat flour provides more magnesium than bread made from white refined flour.
Even tap water can be a source of magnesium, but the amount varies according to the water supply. Water that naturally contains more minerals is described as "hard". "Hard" water contains more magnesium than "soft" water.
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures (sudden changes in behaviors caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain), personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur.
Severe magnesium deficiency can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia).
Many of these symptoms are general and can result from a variety of medical conditions other than magnesium deficiency.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment. The author has taken all reasonable care in compiling this information, however, does not accept responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions including the taking of supplements.
There is no question that magnesium is a star amongst the minerals when it comes to optimal health and wellbeing.
Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body and essential for many of the fundamental biological processes. As magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body it is essential to good health. Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant.
There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines and excreted through the kidneys.
You can get magnesium in different forms, dietary, transdermally or via supplementation e.g. powder and tablets often with the B vitamins included.
If too much is taken one will get increased bowel action, so you back off.. most bottles will give you the correct dosages for that particular product. Always consult your treating physician or surgeon for advice regarding the taking of supplements with prescribed medications.
Sleep
We all appreciate post surgery the benefit of a good nights sleep - in fact we crave it, and often feel deprived and yet it eludes us!
For all its roles in energy production, it is a very important mineral for relaxation for muscles. The role of magnesium is to modulate normal and healthy muscle contraction and relaxation, that is the reason for taking it at night and that is why it can help with restless leg syndrome and cramping muscles.
Stress
We all suffer stress post operatively and stress has an impact on the nutrient levels in our body for each and every cell type, soft tissue right down to bone. Magnesium is often depleted during times of stress. Low levels of magnesium have been shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to stressors.
In addition to supporting the body during times of stress, both magnesium and B vitamins may assist in the production of energy. Magnesium and B vitamins are involved in the breakdown and metabolism of macro nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats which are required for energy.
Magnesium is classed as a hero mineral in therapeutic medicine and where required can be taken throughout the day. However, the best way to obtain the mineral is through a balanced diet, so let me provide you with some information on how to obtain magnesium via your diet versus taking a supplement!
What foods provide magnesium?
Green vegetables such as spinach are good sources of magnesium because the center of the chlorophyll molecule (which gives green vegetables their color) contains magnesium.
Some legumes (beans and peas), nuts and seeds, and whole, unrefined grains are also good sources of magnesium. Refined grains are generally low in magnesium.
When white flour is refined and processed, the magnesium-rich germ and bran are removed. Bread made from whole grain wheat flour provides more magnesium than bread made from white refined flour.
Even tap water can be a source of magnesium, but the amount varies according to the water supply. Water that naturally contains more minerals is described as "hard". "Hard" water contains more magnesium than "soft" water.
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures (sudden changes in behaviors caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain), personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur.
Severe magnesium deficiency can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia).
Many of these symptoms are general and can result from a variety of medical conditions other than magnesium deficiency.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment. The author has taken all reasonable care in compiling this information, however, does not accept responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions including the taking of supplements.
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