Magnesium is a mineral which is vital to enzyme activity within the body, particularly in energy production. Magnesium deficiency can lead to irritability, depression and irregular heart rhythm along with other disorders, and though symptoms of deficiency are rare, most Americans do not consume enough magnesium. Dietary magnesium can be found in foods such as dairy, fish, meats and a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. Magnesium may also be taken as a vitamin supplement in prescription or over-the-counter form. As with all dietary supplements, a health care practitioner should be consulted before beginning a new vitamin or mineral regimen.
Central Nervous System
Magnesium is needed to support health of the nervous system's cells. It is also important in nerve cell transmission. Deficiency of magnesium may cause irritability and tiredness. Supplementation with magnesium may help prevent depression and cases of dizziness. It has also been used by natural health practitioners to treat chronic fatigue and chronic pain disorders.
Premenstrual Syndrome and Pregnancy
Magnesium has been used by natural health practitioners to treat premenstrual syndrome and reduce painful menstrual cramps. It has also been used to prevent premature labor in some women and in emergency situations as an anticonvulsant agent for seizures related to toxemia of pregnancy. These benefits may be due to its role in smooth muscle contractions and the stabilization of the central nervous system.
Diabetes
Magnesium is essential for the appropriate metabolism of carbohydrates. Some diabetics may be deficient in magnesium. Hypomagnesemia or low magnesium may also play a role in the development of insulin resistance in persons with a pre-diabetic state. Several studies reviewed by the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements concluded that dietary supplementation with magnesium may help to prevent the onset of diabetes.
Cardiac Problems
Magnesium is integral to the contraction of all types of muscle, including skeletal muscle, smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Low magnesium levels may cause problems with muscle contraction and may lead to symptoms such as arrhythmia and high blood pressure. Observational studies have shown some benefit in the reduction of the risk of cardiac disease with the supplementation of magnesium; however supplementation should be supervised by a health care professional.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
- Mayo Clinic: Magnesium Supplement
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Phyllis Balch, CNC, Dr. James Balch; 2001
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