Role Of Magnesium In The Human Body
The name Magnesium originated from the Greek word for a district in Thessaly called Magnesia. It is the eleventh most abundant element by mass in the human body, while being the eighth most abundant element in the earth’s crust by mass. Magnesium is vital for enzyme activity in the body, more specifically for enzymes involved in the production of energy. It plays a vital role in the uptake of Calcium and Magnesium. A deficiency of Magnesium can relate to numerous medical conditions including muscle cramps, irritability and nervousness. It is essential to maintain proper and balanced pH levels in the body.
Due to the mineral being involved is almost every bodily process, it is vitally important. We will be looking at a few conditions, which Magnesium can assist in or should be used for:
Skeletal Health
Bone tissue contains approximately 60% of the magnesium found in the body. One of the properties of magnesium in the skeletal structure is to help regulate calcium within the bones and teeth. Magnesium in thus needed for the process whereby calcium bounds to tooth enamel. Many experts now feel that the intake of Magnesium is as critical as that of Calcium for skeletal health.
Nerve Health
Magnesium works in conjunction with calcium to ensure proper nerve impulse transmission, also having an influence on neurotransmitters. A shortage of Magnesium can lead to muscle spasms, twitches or tremors due to hypersensitive nerves. Lactic acid build up is also associated with a shortage of Magnesium.
Stress
Magnesium is required for adrenal health and synthesis of adrenal stress hormones. Magnesium’s effects on muscular and nerve function beneficially influence disorders and symptoms often associated with stress response i.e. anxiety, hypertension, nervous tension, irritability.
Hormonal Health
Research has confirmed that a Magnesium deficiency can severely impair hormone balance in woman, and it a causing factor in many cases of premenstrual tension. Supplementing with Magnesium can be beneficial in reducing numerous symptoms for premenstrual tension.
Pain Relief
Magnesium has been shown to improve certain pain related disorders such as migraine and tension headaches. In the case of migraines, most of the benefit from Magnesium appears to be linked to its role in vascular muscle function, nerve relaxation and proper mitral valve function.
Energy Production
Magnesium is an essential coenzyme within many enzyme systems, and is involved in hundreds of catalytic reactions within the body. It is particularly critical to energy production, and not surprisingly, magnesium deficiency is a common feature in general fatigue and fatigue related disorders. Supplementing with Magnesium has been clinically proven to significantly reduce the fatigue symptoms in ME sufferers.
Cardiovascular Health
Several studies have highlighted the importance of Magnesium in the prevention and treatment of numerous heart and vascular disorders. Magnesium deficiency us a common feature of conditions such as arrhythmias, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, and peripheral vascular disease. The ability of Magnesium to reduce excessive blood clotting, calcification of the blood vessels and cholesterol levels should also discourage the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque. Due to its enzymatic influence, Magnesium increases the production of energy within the heart muscle, thus contributing to the strength of the heart and its ability to pump blood throughout the body.
Category: HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
