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Magnesium - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food SourcesMagnesium is the second most abundant intracellular mineral in the body; 65% of it is in the bone, 34% in the intracellular space and only 1 % in the extra cellular fluid. Its role in the body is imperfectly understood. Recent findings, however, suggest that it also has important health-promoting benefits, from an ability to prevent heart disease to a role in treating such chronic conditions as fibromylagia and diabetes. Serum magnesium estimation is not a routine laboratory procedure; hence, disturbed magnesium metabolism is often not recognized. Chemical estimation is difficult and requires an atomic spectrophotometer. Better understanding and correction of sodium, potassium and chloride imbalance have revealed disturbances due to magnesium deficiency or excess. Absorption There is no physiological mechanism for magnesium absorption. The jejunum and ileum absorb about 300/0-40% of ingested magnesium. During body deficiency, about 70% is absorbed. Benefits and functions of MagnesiumMagnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. Recommended dosage of MagnesiumThe minimum Recommended Dosage Allowance of Magnesium are :-
Deficiency symptoms of MagnesiumThe main intracellular elements are potassium, magnesium and phosphorus; deficiencies of all three usually arise together, thus confusing the clinical picture. Low serum magnesium should be suspected in hospitalized patients who have low serum potassium, phosphate, sodium or calcium. Magnesium deficiency occurs due to the conditions listed below.
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur. Severe magnesium deficiency can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia). Food sources of MagnesiumWhole grain cereals, nuts, dairy products, bananas, dulse, figs, garlic, grapefruit and chlorophyll-rich vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower, are good sources of magnesium. EXCESSRetention of magnesium occurs when there is scanty flow of urine due to kidney disease. With scanty urine, magnesium salts-such as magnesium sulphate for purgation-should be avoided. High serum magnesium suppresses the parathyroid hormone, which may produce low serum calcium levels. The clinical manifestations of magnesium intoxication are drowsiness, when the serum level is 8 mEq per litre (4 mmol/l), and stupor and coma, when the serum level is about 14 mEq per litre (7 mmol/l). The electrocardiogram shows increased PR and QRS duration and increased height of T waves. |
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