Magnesium - the miracle mineral?

Saturday, August 10, 2013 by: Derek Henry
Tags: magnesium, miracle mineral, nutrition

(NaturalNews) There are a number of factors implicated in the disease process, and many of them can be traced back to a deficiency in minerals. This is not hard to believe, due to the current state of our overall soil conditions, which have a very poor mineral content. So if we decide to take a mineral, which one do we choose? It appears magnesium should be at the top of the list, as it could quite possibly be the panacea to many health problems.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency

It is estimated that 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. Some core symptoms that indicate you are deficient include:

- Heart disease
- Muscle cramping
- Diabetes
- Stress and sleep disorders
- Bowel disease
- Osteoporosis

Vital in hearth health and musculature function

A study by George Washington University found that magnesium deficiency led to increased inflammation in the body, affecting blood vessels, cardiovascular, and intestinal tissues. Cardiovascular tissue inflammation can lead to heart disease because it increases oxidative stress, while intestinal inflammation causes digestive disorders.

Magnesium deficiency also decreases lipid metabolism and increases blood pressure, negatively impacting the health of the arteries and eventually causing atherosclerosis. Research shows that adding 365 mg of magnesium to the diet twice daily for six months can reduce the likelihood of experiencing exercise-induced chest pain.

Magnesium also influences the peristaltic action of the intestinal system, which facilitates proper bowel movements. Adequate levels of magnesium can assist faster transit time through the GI tract, which in turn helps reduce the risk of bowel disease.

Balances blood sugar

With the consumption of a high sugar diet and being overweight or obese for 10 to 15 years, often comes the condition of type 2 adult onset diabetes.

A review from the journal Biological Trace Element Research reports that magnesium plays an important role in metabolizing carbohydrates, while influencing the activity of hormones that control blood glucose levels. Low magnesium can cause insulin resistance, which could result in the kidneys being unable to retain magnesium during periods of hyperglycemia, creating a magnesium deficiency and subsequently, diabetes.

Magnesium has certainly been implicated in keeping blood sugar in balance, promoting the production of insulin, opening the cells up to receive insulin, and allowing glucose into the cells.

Relieves stress and improves sleep

A recent study of people with poor sleep quality, as conducted by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, found that taking a magnesium supplement decreased chronic inflammatory stress levels and improved sleep quality.

Researchers suggest that adding magnesium to their diets decreased the participants sympathetic nervous activity, effectively reducing stress and allowing them to relax.

Maintains strong bones

Calcium is often pointed out as necessary for stronger bones, but it means little if you don't have adequate levels of magnesium and vitamin D.

Magnesium activates cellular enzyme activity, allowing the body to convert vitamin D into its active form to help with calcium absorption and bone building. Magnesium aids the release of the hormone calcitonin, which helps to preserve bone structure and draws calcium out of the blood and soft tissues and back into the bones.

It should be noted that magnesium is also positively identified in helping with a number of other critical processes including brain function, muscle building, metabolic action, and digestion.

It appears that the addition of adequate magnesium to your diet can help you overcome several well-known health conditions. Choose quality supplements as well as a diet full of leafy green vegetables, seaweed, nuts/seeds, and cacao, and start experiencing the benefits of this 'miracle mineral'.

Sources for this article include:

http://organicconnectmag.com

http://www.charlespoliquin.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn't solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results under their own direction.

Find out how you can reverse disease and thrive with a holistic approach.