Magnesium - the miracle mineral 

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body and is needed for over 300 bodily processes. It's an important mineral for maintaining heart rhythm, nerve function, muscle function, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, metabolism and protein synthesis.

Recent studies have found that magnesium deficiency is directly related to heart health. Studies over the last three decades have found that geographic areas with lower levels of this critical mineral in their drinking water have higher occurrences of heart disease and sudden death from heart failure.

There is also a correlation between diabetes and magnesium. Those with type 1 diabetes usually also have magnesium deficiency. This deficiency can lead to a number of serious complications. Magnesium supplements are often suggested for people with type 1 diabetes to avoid these complications.

Deficiency is also known to induce asthma. Asthma treatments often reduce magnesium levels in the body causing more problems. In acute asthma attacks emergency room injections of magnesium sulfate causes asthma symptoms to subside. Numerous studies have shown that simply by increasing magnesium to recommended levels asthma symptoms decrease.

There is also a link between low magnesium and epilepsy. In a study done on children with epilepsy, it was found that all had a deficiency of this critical mineral. The children were given magnesium supplements and all but one child showed dramatic improvement.

Western diets have very low amounts of magnesium and rob people of it's protection against numerous problems. The average adult should get about 320-420 milligrams per day. It can be found in green foods such as spinach, beans and peas, whole grains, peanut butter and nuts. When you are getting magnesium through your diet there is no risk of getting too much of this mineral. If you take supplemental magnesium you may experience stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Learn more about health supplements and the benefits they may have on your health.