One of the top benefits of magnesium is its involvement in all the biochemical reactions in the body. Your body is literally a laboratory where hundreds of chemical reactions are occurring every minute. When you consider every cell in the body contains magnesium, you understand how important it is. Most of the magnesium in the body is in the bone, approximately 60%, with the rest in soft tissue, fluid, such as blood, and muscle tissue. It aids in reactions like creating protein, converting food to energy, repairing RNA and DNA, and regulating the nervous system.
If your blood sugar levels are low in magnesium, it may raise your risk for diabetes.
There’s a correlation between low blood levels of magnesium and the ability to regulate blood sugar levels. One study followed people with type 2 diabetes and found that 48% of them had low blood levels of magnesium. Other studies showed that people who ate foods higher in magnesium lowered their risk of type 2 diabetes significantly. Other studies showed that magnesium supplements also improved insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is the precursor of diabetes.
Heart health and anti-inflammatory benefits come from magnesium.
Inflammation can cause a lot of problems throughout the body, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Studies show that taking magnesium supplements can decrease the markers of inflammation. Other studies show a lack of adequate magnesium leads to oxidative stress, another factor that indicates inflammation. Magnesium supplements also help lower blood pressure, which improves heart health and reduces the risk of stroke. The supplements also improved blood cholesterol levels. It can prevent arterial plaque build-up and prevent hardening of the arteries.
Thinning bones and muscle cramps can occur with low magnesium.
Magnesium is important for bone health. A deficiency is associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis and increased bone fractures. Approximately 55% of the body’s magnesium is found in the bone. Signs of magnesium deficiency are muscle cramps, twitches and tremors, since magnesium is involved with cell communication and nerve signals. Remember, your heart is also a muscle and requires a balance of magnesium and calcium to contract and relax to avoid cramping.
- Magnesium deficiency can affect your mood. It can lead to anxiety, depression, apathy and severe signs including delirium and coma. Magnesium shortage can cause nerve damage, which also may increase mental illness potential.
- Migraines can occur for a multitude of reasons; one theory is magnesium deficiency. One study found that people with migraines are more likely to also have a magnesium deficiency.
- Chronic exhaustion and fatigue may occur if you have low magnesium levels. Studies also show it can increase exercise performance and increase power and muscle mass.
- Improving your magnesium level should include eating food with more magnesium, such as pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, popcorn, dark chocolate and dark leafy greens like spinach.
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