| 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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