Magnesium
The human body needs various minerals for the healthy functioning of itself. One of the many minerals found in the body is magnesium that is found in both plants and animals. This is the magnesium that helps in the photosynthesis in plants, and is involved in a metabolic reaction in animals. In fact, the body needs magnesium in over three hundred biochemical processes that take place in the body.
Magnesium is found in the bones of the body, and is used by these bones in producing a hormone, calcitonin. This hormone is needed to produce calcium in bones and to control the acidity level in the blood. High levels of acid in the blood lead to the weakening of the bone structure, and this is where magnesium proves to be useful in the human body.
Both adults and children require a dose of magnesium everyday as the lowering of the level of magnesium in the body only leads to some illnesses and diseases. Magnesium is also required to help control the neuromuscular activities of the heart wherein it can beat regularly. Magnesium also contributes in controlling a person’s blood pressure for some time.
A person needs about three to four hundred milligrams of magnesium in a day where men and pregnant women need it the most. The requirement for children depends on their size and weight; but on an average, they need about one hundred and thirty milligrams per day. However, statistics has proven that not everyone gets their required intake of magnesium.
With this, you tend to suffer from a deficiency of magnesium that has some common signs. Illnesses related to the musculo-skeletal part of the body like chronic fatigue, muscle spasms, osteoporosis and restlessness tends to manifest itself in the body with a deficiency of magnesium. A lack of magnesium can also lead to numerous cardiovascular diseases including cardiac arrhythmias, atherosclerosis and vasospasm.
A deficiency of magnesium leads to premenstrual syndrome, psychiatric matters like irritability, bipolar disorders and depression and neurological problems like migraine headaches and sensitivity to noise and pain. Magnesium is very important in the functioning and secretion of insulin and thus plays a major role in the control of blood sugar in the body.
Magnesium is found in abundance in various types of nuts like almonds and peanuts, whole grains and in legumes. However, as many people don’t get the required amount of magnesium through food, it may be necessary to take some form of supplements for its compensation. Consult the doctor to check if you have a deficiency of magnesium so that it can be treated well, and in the process, avoid serious problems. |
