Magnesium Health Benefits

Magnesium was first found in a district named Magnesia in Greece. Magnesium is one of the most abundant elements found on earth. In fact, it occupies about 2 percent of the earth's crust. Magnesium is also found abundantly in the human body, as it helps in many biological processes like ATP generation. Your body requires it in sufficient quantity, for performing various metabolic processes. Deficiency of this important element can cause muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, vomiting, nausea, anxiety and loss of appetite. The recommended daily intake of magnesium for males is 420 mg/day and for females is 320 mg/day. Let's look at the various magnesium health benefits for our body.

Benefits for Heart

• It is required for maintaining a healthy heart. It helps in regularizing heartbeats, besides helping to prevent clotting of blood.
• Blood sugar levels are regulated, which is extremely important for maintaining proper blood pressure levels.
• It can not only prevent heart attacks, but also help in recovering from severe heart diseases.
• It is also important in the treatment of asthma, as it regularizes breathing.

Benefits for Bones and Muscles

• It helps in formation of bones and teeth, by improving absorption of calcium in the body.
• People suffering from calcium deficiency can benefit by adequate intake.
• It is also beneficial in treating muscle contractions. It aids in relaxation of muscles besides helping in their proper functioning.
• It facilitates the delivery of oxygen to the muscles, during physical activities, hence it is also important for athletes and sports persons.
• It is also helpful for backache as it relieves muscle tension and stress.

Other Benefits

• Diabetes: It is necessary for all diabetic patients. It affects the release of insulin, which help in controlling the blood glucose levels.
• Depression: It helps to regulate blood pressure, which can help in avoiding anger, panic, stress and anxiety that are the major symptoms of depression.
• Absorption: Apart from calcium, magnesium helps in absorption of other vital nutrients like potassium, sodium and phosphorus, which are essential for the body.
• Migraine: It is known to reduce migraine attacks and is also beneficial in avoiding insomnia.
• Pregnancy: It is extremely important for pregnant women, as it helps maintain blood pressure levels. It is also known to decrease pain during pregnancy and helps in smooth and safe delivery.
• Protein Synthesis: It helps in protein synthesis by activating various enzymes in the body. It also helps in maintaining metabolism rate of the body.
• Antioxidant: It is a good antioxidant, which protect the cell membranes from cancer-causing radicals.
• Anti-aging: It can help against premature aging by nourishing the cells of the body.

Many people living in the United States and other Western countries consume less magnesium than needed. Diabetics, people having low-calorie diets, alcoholics, and heart patients should include enough magnesium rich foods. In case of deficiency, you must not consume supplements in excess, because taking it over a long period of time can cause kidney failure, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. You must consume magnesium only from natural food like beans, nuts, seeds, legumes, green vegetables and sea foods. Many people are aware of the health benefits of other nutrients, but the benefits go unnoticed. So you must consciously eat magnesium rich foods to lead a healthy life.