Magnesium: What You Need to Know

Lisa Medin DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Magnesium is an elemental mineral that is essential to over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. This element is important for protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation and control, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is required for the breakdown of nutrients and energy production as well as the normal heart rate.

One of the things I especially like about Magnesium is that it acts as a muscle relaxant and can be used to help decrease muscle tension and pain. Taking 400 mg of Magnesium at night promotes relaxation and better sleep. This dosage acts as a stress reliever and can decrease anxiety.

It is rare that the body will get too much Magnesium as the blood levels are regulated by kidney and bowel function. However, the body can become deficient in this important mineral. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include decreased appetite, nausea, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, and spasms. Severe deficiency can result in disruption of other minerals in the body causing abnormal heart rhythms, and arterial spasms which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

For more information on this amazing mineral and how it can affect people with diabetes, heart disease, migraine headaches, alcohol dependence, and the elderly you may want to visit the National Institutes of Health. This site provided information regarding foods that are high in magnesium and lots of other great information related to this topic.

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