Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in metabolic functions, such as blood cell synthesis, bone growth and nervous system function. Found in soil, magnesium travels through plant roots during plant germination and growth, thus providing plants and humans with sufficient amounts of magnesium for growth. Sources of magnesium include plants and seeds, such as spinach, summer squash, pumpkin seeds and soybeans. Magnesium deficiencies may occur through method used to prepare magnesium rich foods, malabsorption or irregular storage of magnesium, poor diet and drug interactions.
Magnesium and Diet
The current American diet includes highly processed sugary foods and commonly lacks green leafy vegetables and natural seeds, thus limiting consumption of magnesium-rich foods. Diets lacking magnesium rich food sources and magnesium supplementation may pose risk for low-magnesium concentrations or deficiency. Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include, but are not limited to, muscle cramps, muscle soreness, muscle tightness, twitches, back pain, neck pain, constipation and problems swallowing.
Magnesium Sources
As listed previously, specific vegetables including soybeans contain extensive amounts of magnesium. Soybean plants require adequate amounts of magnesium, potassium and manganese in soil for proper germination. During growth, soybean plants uptake magnesium from soil. Typically, 1/2 cup cooked mature soybean provides 19 percent daily values (DV) of magnesium, while a 1/2 cup cooked green soybeans provide 14 percent DV of magnesium.
Soybeans and Magnesium Deficiency
Soil concentrations of magnesium and phosphorus affect growth and concentrations of minerals in soybean plants. Soils rich in magnesium affect the amount of concentration of phosphorus and magnesium found in a soybean plant and seed. Phosphorus concentrations in plants grown in soil lacking magnesium are found in larger in soybean plant leaves rather than the soybean seed. Soybean farmers test soils used in soybean germination for magnesium, calcium and phosphorus concentrations to ensure proper soybean growth.
Magnesium deficiencies can occur if diets lack magnesium-rich food sources or supplementation. If a diets is lacking magnesium-rich foods and symptoms described above are present, contact your doctor for proper evaluation and assessment.
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