Magnesium is an essential mineral responsible for numerous enzymatic and biochemical reactions in your body. Specifically, magnesium helps produce and transport energy, synthesize protein and support the contraction and relaxation of your muscles. Supplemental magnesium also has several uses to treat a variety of health conditions. Additionally, a deficiency in magnesium can make some health conditions worse and increase the risk of developing other disorders. You should speak to a medical professional prior to taking any magnesium supplement.
Health Conditions
According to the book "The Magnesium Miracle," supplemental magnesium can help to treat asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, glaucoma, migraine headaches and muscle pain. Additionally, you can use supplemental magnesium in perinatal care. Although this book and many other health resources recommend using magnesium to treat these conditions, clinical evidence has not confirmed the use of magnesium to treat medical conditions other than a deficiency of magnesium. Therefore, evidence supporting these uses of supplemental magnesium comes from anecdotal and not clinical evidence.
Asthma and Diabetes
Doctors sometimes give asthmatic individuals intravenous and inhaled magnesium through a nebulizer to reduce the symptoms of asthma, but oral magnesium typically does not have the same effects treating asthma. Additionally, according to the book "The Magnesium Factor," a deficiency in magnesium can increase your risk of developing asthma. Further, the book states that increasing magnesium intake through diet or supplementation might help to prevent the onset of diabetes.
Osteoporosis and Migraine Headache
Calcium, vitamin D and magnesium play important roles in bone development. A deficiency in any of these substances can accelerate the development of osteoporosis. Supplementing your body with magnesium can help your body to better absorb calcium and vitamin D and therefore help to increase the mineral density of your bones. Supplemental magnesium also might help to treat migraine headaches by shortening their duration.
Dosage
Always consult a medical professional before taking supplemental magnesium. If you have any underlying health conditions such as kidney disease, you might run the risk of developing hypermagnesemia, a toxicity of magnesium in your body. Although this condition is rare, magnesium toxicity can result in respiratory arrest. Do not give magnesium supplements to children unless recommended by a medial professional. According to the book "User's Guide to Calcium and Magnesium: Learn What You Need to Know About How These Nutrients Build Strong Bones," children up to 3 years of age should receive a magnesium dose of 40 to 80 mg daily, children 4 to 6 should get 120 mg and children 7 to 10 years of age should receive 170 mg. The recommended dosage for adolescent and adult males is from 270 to 400 mg daily, and the recommended dosage for adolescent and adult females is from 280 to 300 mg.
References
- "Nutrient A-Z"; Dr. Michael Sharon; 2009
- "The Magnesium Miracle"; Carolyn Dean; 2006
- "The Magnesium Factor"; Midred Seelig and Andrea Rosanoff; 2003
- "User's Guide to Calcium & Magnesium"; Nan Kathryn Fuchs; 2002
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