Magnesium is an incredibly important mineral requiring at least 100mg per day, as it is supports our bodies structural integrity. In fact, it makes up 0.05% of our body weight and has a high concentration in our brain and heart. But the really special thing about magnesium is its involvement in more than 300 enzyme reactions for energy production, muscle and nerve functioning and blood pressure regulation. It also supports bone mineralisation and is a leading cofactor required for other enzymes to do their work. It balances out calcium and is an energy metabolism cofactor for carbohydrates, protein and fat oxidation. We can gain bioavailable magnesium from our diets, in foods such as whole grains, seeds, spinach, legumes, potatoes and even bananas. As we do require substantial amounts of magnesium, it can be easy to deplete our balance due to dietary inadequacy, increased activity, lifestyle situations or disease.

There are many factors which increase our daily demand such as heavy physical activity, rapid growth in childhood / adolescence, medications (such as diuretics, laxatives, chemotherapy, cortisone), Diabetes Mellitus, Stress (of Course), hyperparathyroidism, intestinal malabsorption, alcohol consumption, protein deficiency, kidney disorders and any condition which leads to vomiting and diarrhoea. When we have any of these issues, we also may need to increase the daily dosage of magnesium. Deficiency can be difficult to detect initially, with generic type symptoms such as malnutrition, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness. Other potential signs may be numbness, tingling, muscle contractions, cramps, personality/mood changes, arrhythmias, hypertension, tremor and seizures.

You may also recognise symmetrical dry scaly dermatitis on the nose, mouth and eyes. Impaired lung capacity and wheezing. Therapeutically magnesium is functionally important in balancing calcium for prevention of muscle cramps, maintaining blood pressure and preventing coronary vasospasms. It improves myocardial metabolism, vascular tone, peripheral vascular resistance, cholesterol lipid metabolism and endothelial function. It inhibits calcium accumulation that may be linked to fibrillation malfunction and myocardial cell death, helps reduce cardiac arrhythmias. It is important to prevent or treat cardiac conditions. Other therapeutic uses include, improved insulin sensitivity in Diabetes mellitus, decreased formation of calcium induced Kidney stones, preventative measure for migraine sufferers, reduced insomnia in the elderly, In PMS it reduces fluid retention. It is important with calcium in maintenance of bone health especially in osteoporosis sufferers.