Magnesium

Magnesium Health Benefits

A lack of magnesium may case plenty of health problems and some of these could potentially be alleviated through supplementation. For example, magnesium works as a laxative as well as an antacid. Magnesium can also be used to treat heart conditions and mitigate chest pain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  

Magnesium supplementation has shown some positive results in treating certain physical conditions and diseases like Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps and restless leg syndrome, diabetes, kidney stones, migraine headaches, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and urinary incontinence.

There is also some evidence showing that magnesium can help treat mental disorders and emotional problems, such as deficit-hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome and general anxiety disorder. The chemical element, when in adequate supply, can also help to handle a variety of skin conditions, like ulcers, boils, infections and wounds. Athletes could also benefit from magnesium, as it works an energy booster.

Magnesium Dosage

Magnesium doesn’t cause any miraculous healing effects; however, if a person increases his or her magnesium intake to the level of what it should it be then it’s possible that general health with improve, along with the alleviation of some painful symptoms.

Scientifically speaking, magnesium is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Regular absorption can be affected by very high or very low protein amounts. Magnesium helps the body to grow, the bones to remain strong and also helps nerves, muscles and digestion.

One of the most important concerns about supplementing your diet with magnesium is the absorption rate of magnesium supplements. When you take in magnesium through your diet naturally (through food) you will get more out of the chemical element, and it will be excreted through the urine.

When you take it in supplement form, most of the extra magnesium will be excreted as fecal waste. This is because excess magnesium is filtered out by the kidneys. Therefore, over-dosage is usually not a problem with good nutrition, though supplemental over-dosage remains a slight risk.

In regular foods, one can get magnesium from several types of vegetables (especially spinach), cereals, nuts, spices and even leisure drinks like tea, cocoa and coffee. The fact that many people have a magnesium deficiency is presumably due to our common methods of refining food, which eliminates practical ingredients as well as harmful pollutants.

Supplements can be in the form of magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide or magnesium glycinate. The average absorption rate is 2:1 or 3:1. Therefore, if you plan on taking extra magnesium supplements then you should strive to take about 350 milligrams a day or less, which is commonly recommended as a standard by several health organizations. Children and pregnant women may be advised to take much less.

Magnesium Side Effects

Overdosing on magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea and even kidney failure, under certain circumstances. As the body ages, kidney function naturally declines so magnesium toxicity is a concern, especially if a person uses laxatives and antacids on a regular basis.

Excessive dosage of supplementation will actually start symptoms of magnesium deficiency; changes in behavior, digestive problems, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness in muscles, breathing difficulty, an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure are all possible side effects of overdosing.

There is a slight risk of high magnesium dosage interfering with other bodily conditions or other medications. Alcohol and tobacco are included, among other prescription drugs, as possible risks. Magnesium dosage can also cause problems if you currently struggle with heart disease or have kidney problems.

All in all, magnesium is a chemical element that must be brought up to normal levels, considering the high deficiency average amongst the U.S. population. However, high dosage of magnesium is not going to act as a cure all, nor is it entirely without risk. Talk to your doctor before starting a new supplementation program. Compare magnesium sources by using the free supplement finder now!