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Magnesium is one of the
body's major electrolytes, essential for metabolism, and
an aid to the growth of bone as well as nerve and muscle
health. Researchers now believe shortages of magnesium
could be responsible
for many ailments such as heart
disease, heart attacks, angina, hypertension,
stroke,
PMS - premenstrual syndrome, depression, anxiety and kidney stones,
among others. The elderly, pregnant and nursing women,
those with osteoporosis, chronic dieters, birth control
pill users, smokers and alcoholics are often targets for
magnesium deficiency. Professional athletes or anyone who
engages in heavy physical labor must keep magnesium
levels up, as the mineral facilitates oxygen delivery to
working muscle tissue. Magnesium-rich foods include
meats, seafood, green vegetables, dairy products, nuts,
kidney and lima beans, bananas, peanut butter and potatoes. Dr.
Lendon Smith notes that children or teens that seem depressed or are diagnosed with attention deficit
disorder often have a magnesium deficiency, and recommends magnesium supplementation in such cases. It
has been well established that intravenous magnesium can
stop seizures and prevent or relieve convulsions.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include personality
changes, nausea, weakness, muscle spasms and tremor.
Some cases have been fatal when the magnesium levels fall
too low for too long a period of time. Other problems
which may be associated with magnesium deficiency include irregular heart beats, high
cholesterol, high blood pressure and
possibly thymus gland cancer. Adequate levels of
magnesium are necessary for the heart muscle to beat
regularly. Irregular heart beats can be a major problem
if they occur in persons with heart disease.
Other studies indicate that there may be a link between
low magnesium levels and thymus gland cancer and diabetes. Diabetes appears more frequently in areas of
the country where the drinking water is lower in
magnesium. These two theories are more controversial and
less clear than the others. Some physicians feel that
more premature babies are born to women with low
magnesium levels. Persons with kidney failure must be
very careful when taking any food or medication with
magnesium because the kidney clears excess magnesium from
the body.
Magnesium also helps calcium be processed by your body
and calcium problems occur with women.
The body's processing of magnesium can also be inhibited
by consuming foods high in oxalic acid, like spinach,
cocoa, and tea.
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