Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Found in bones, teeth, and red blood cells, magnesium serves as a building block for DNA and is an essential element required for the proper functioning of the nervous, muscular, and cardiovascular systems.
Among these many duties, magnesium aids in muscle contraction, including that of the heart’s, which in turn supports normal rhythm and blood pressure. It’s a vital element for nerve function, producing blood platelets, maintaining bone density, and is known to be involved in glucose and insulin metabolism.
We continue to discover the potential benefits of magnesium, ranging from helping to prevent migraines to treating anxiety, severe asthma, and ADHD. One 8-year study of 60, 806 participants released in December of 2015 shows promise in using magnesium to prevent pancreatic cancer. And while findings are preliminary, another study released the same month suggests that this key mineral could possibly slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sadly, magnesium levels found in our food sources are declining. This is likely due to farming practices such as using pesticides and not alternating fields between growing seasons (in efforts to produce greater crop yields), which can drain the soil of key minerals and nutrients. Choosing organic produce can help mitigate this potential loss of essential minerals.
Foods containing magnesium include whole grains, leafy green vegetables (spinach and Swiss chard are great sources), as well as almonds, cashews and other nuts, avocados, beans, and halibut. Be aware that a diet high in fat may cause less magnesium to be absorbed, and cooking may decrease the magnesium content of food.
To find out more, feel free to contact Gansbaai Pharmacy today.
