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MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is present in most foods, especially green
leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, meat and fish. Processed foods, dairy
products and refined grains are, however, low in magnesium.
Magnesium deficiency is characterised by fatigue, mental confusion,
irritability, weakness, heart disturbances, poor nerve and muscle
function, muscle cramps, insomnia, loss of appetite and a tendency
towards stress
related symptoms. Organic magnesium compounds, such as magnesium
amino acid chelate, are better absorbed, utilised and tolerated than
inorganic forms (oxides, chlorides, hydrochlorides). Inorganic forms
are likely to cause diarrhoea at higher doses whereas organic forms
generally do not.
The Benefits of Magnesium
Fatigue
- low levels of magnesium in the red blood cells have been linked
with chronic fatigue syndrome,
Circulation
- magnesium is essential to the proper function of the heart and
blood vessels. It has been used to prevent heart disease and strokes
and to protect against a wide range of circulatory system diseases.
There is evidence to show that magnesium stabilises heart rhythms,
reduces blood pressure and increases the pumping efficiency of the
heart.
Stress and anxiety
- low levels of magnesium have been associated with a greater
tendency to suffer from stress. Magnesium is also supplemented to
relieve symptoms of anxiety, including muscular rigidity in the back
and shoulders.
Muscle pain -
muscle pain (fibromymialgia) has been associated with low magnesium
levels in the muscle cells.
Migraine and tension headaches
- people who get migraines and tension headaches tend to have lower
levels of magnesium. Several clinical trials have shown that
supplementing with magnesium can significantly reduce the number of
migraines experienced.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and uncomfortable or
painful periods
- magnesium deficiency is common in young women and is thought to
contribute to the premenstrual syndrome. Magnesium acts as a neuro-muscular
sedative to calm the messages between nerves and muscle cells,
reducing painful cramps of the uterus. This action is enhanced if
vitamin B6 is also taken.
Urinary urgency (irritable bladder syndrome) in women
- while often allergy related, it has been shown that women who took
magnesium supplements had better control of their bladders and fewer
symptoms of urgency than those taking placebo.
Osteoporosis
- magnesium is needed for calcium metabolism. Magnesium
supplementation alone can restore lost bone mass. High calcium diets
require extra magnesium for balance.
Properties
Magnesium is vital to many cell processes including
the management of energy, the formation of proteins and cell
replication. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions.
The 'pump' in cell walls that allows nutrients in and for toxins to
leave requires magnesium. By relaxing the muscles of the heart and
surrounding blood vessels, magnesium lowers the resistance to blood
flow, reduces blood
pressure, increases heart efficiency and regulates the heart beat.
Vtamin 86 is linked with magnesiumin many enzyme systems and
increases the levels of magnesium that enter cells.
Contra-indications / Precautions
People with kidney disease or severe heart disease,
such as high-grade atrioventricular block should not
take magnesium supplements.
SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS.
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