Inside our bodies, our bones contain most of our magnesium. However, it is essential for the proper function of the entire body. From athletes who use magnesium supplements to increase their endurance to women hoping to stave off osteoporosis, magnesium supplements are effective health boosters.
Many foods are good sources of magnesium, including high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans and nuts. Even chocolate and coffee are good sources of magnesium.
Magnesium in Medications
Many laxatives contain magnesium. Magnesium is a common ingredient in antacids. It is often included a component in digestive tract cleansing agents used prior to bowel surgery. A common drug for preeclampsia in pregnant women contains magnesium. Magnesium is taken as a dietary supplement in addition to serving in specific formulations for various health conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, PMS and asthma.
As a supplement, it come in different formulations and there are different schools of thought on which magnesium formulation is most beneficial:
with calcium
as chloride
as oxide
as hydroxide
as sulfate
There are different schools of thought on what the best formulation is, but often the claim for why a certain supplement is better has to do with the body's absorption rate of magnesium.
As with any supplement, always confer with a health care professional prior to starting magnesium supplements. Certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, muscle relaxants and other drugs may have adverse interactions when used at the same time as magnesium supplements.
How Magnesium Supplements Can Help You
In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in the benefits of magnesium, specifically in how magnesium supplements may help treat existing health conditions and help prevent certain health problems. According to the National Institute of Health, over 300 biochemical reactions in the body require magnesium, and magnesium assists in maintaining muscle and nerve function, keeping a steady heart rhythm and supporting the immune system. Magnesium helps to regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is as part of the body's energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
There are a number of areas where magnesium supplements may benefit people. Some health problems magnesium might treat include:
The Digestive Tract: Magnesium's has a well-established record for treating upset stomachs and heartburn. In other forms, Magnesium is used as a laxative.
Women's Health: Magnesium may help with PMS. It may also be effective as a preventative of osteoporosis and in preventing Type 2 diabetes in certain women.
Heart Health: Magnesium may help reduce cholesterol levels. It may also help reduce the pain of angina and symptoms of mitral valve prolapsed. People who take magnesium supplements may have a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome. There are even reports that getting more magnesium from the dietary sources can decrease the risk of stroke for men.
Hearing: Taking magnesium may help protect the hearing of people exposed to loud noises.
In other words, from head to toe, inside and out, magnesium supplements may be just what your body needs.
