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Health benefits of magnesium

Magnesium is a very important mineral; it is vital to a variety of bodily functions, and consuming it regularly is essential for good health. 

What are some of the health benefits of magnesium, what are the pros and cons of magnesium supplements, where do you find it in food, and how much is too much?

Where is magnesium found?

There are many ways to get magnesium from foods and supplements to take advantage of the health benefits of magnesium. 

Some plant-based food sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains. 

Some animal products also contain smaller amounts of magnesium, such as yogurt, milk, or fish. 

Magnesium is also often added to fortified foods including some breakfast cereals, but some can be lost during food processing, so it may be a good idea to check the nutrition label to get a better idea of how much magnesium is in a product. 

Mineral or tap water can often be a source of magnesium; however, this varies significantly.

Magnesium is also available in supplements, and it is often in the form of either magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate, or magnesium chloride. 

There are different pros and cons of each of these types; however, some evidence suggests that water-soluble forms of magnesium such as magnesium citrate or magnesium chloride may be absorbed more than other forms. 

If you are considering taking a form of supplemental magnesium, check with your healthcare provider to see which one may work for you. 

Why is magnesium important?

The health benefits of magnesium can be largely attributed to its role in helping a large variety of biochemical processes and enzymes. 

These reactions are associated with many functions, including protein synthesis, muscle function, nerve function, and the regulation of blood glucose and blood pressure. 

Magnesium also helps muscle contraction, including heart muscle contraction, and nerve communication by transporting ions, which are tiny charged atoms, across cell membranes. 

Magnesium helps build strong bones, and it is essential for the synthesis of genetic material such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What is the RDA for magnesium?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium for people above the age of 30 is 420mg daily for men, 320mg for women, and 360mg for pregnant women. 

The RDA for people between 19 and 30 is 400mg for men, 310 mg for women, and 350mg for pregnant women. 

The RDA for people between 14 and 18 years of age is 410mg for men, 360mg for women, and 400mg for pregnant women.

The RDA for children is a bit different; the RDA is 240mg for children between nine and thirteen years of age, 130mg for children between four and eight years of age, 80mg for toddlers between one and three years, 75mg for infants between seven and twelve months, and 30mg for infants under seven months of age.

These values are given by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the RDA represents the daily intake sufficient to meet the dietary needs of 97 to 98 percent of healthy individuals. 

For reference in terms of magnesium from food, one ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds contains 37 percent of the RDA, and a half cup of black beans contains 14 percent of the RDA for magnesium.

How much is too much?

The risk of magnesium toxicity from food is low because the kidneys process and excrete any excess magnesium from food through urine and therefore no Upper Limit (UL) is established for magnesium from food. 

However, consuming very high doses of magnesium from supplements such as magnesium oxide or magnesium chloride may produce side effects of diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal cramps.

Magnesium toxicity is also possible from taking extremely high doses of magnesium supplements or magnesium-containing laxatives. 

Symptoms of this may include low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, urine retention, fatigue, and depression. 

These can potentially progress to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, or an irregular heartbeat leading to cardiac arrest. 

People with kidney failure or other kidney conditions may be at a higher risk of toxicity, as magnesium is filtered through the kidneys.

Magnesium can also interact with a variety of medications, including bisphosphonates such as alendronate, tetracycline, and quinolone antibiotics such as doxycycline or ciprofloxacin, diuretics such as furosemide, or proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole. 

People taking these medications should keep their healthcare provider informed on their magnesium intake and status.

The UL for magnesium from supplements is 350mg daily for people over eight, 110mg for children between four and eight years of age, and 65mg for toddlers between one and three years. 

These values are given by the NIH, and the UL represents the maximum daily intake that is unlikely to cause adverse health effects.

What are the health benefits of magnesium?

Consuming enough magnesium on a regular basis can reduce the risk of magnesium deficiency and its potential side effects. 

In addition, it could possibly be associated with a variety of health benefits.

Firstly, studies suggest that a higher intake of magnesium is associated with a decreased risk of type two diabetes. 

This could potentially be attributed to the fact that magnesium helps the function of enzymes that metabolize glucose. Additionally, many foods that are rich in magnesium are also rich in other micronutrients and fibre.

Next, some population-level studies of both men and women suggest that higher intakes of magnesium may be associated with an increased bone mineral density. 

Moreover, some evidence speculates that magnesium deficiency may increase the risk of osteoporosis; however, more research is needed to confirm this.

Finally, one study found that higher magnesium levels may be associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, more research is needed to determine whether this is significant or valid.

Magnesium deficiency

Severe magnesium deficiency in otherwise healthy people is rare, but magnesium deficiencies can occur in people with consistently low magnesium intakes or with certain chronic health conditions and medications. 

Some groups are at a higher risk of magnesium deficiency than others.

People with type two diabetes may be at an increased risk of higher magnesium excretion through urination, because higher concentrations of glucose in the kidneys as a result of high blood glucose may lead to increased urine excretion.

This, in turn, may put someone at an increased risk of magnesium deficiency.

People experiencing chronic alcohol dependence or alcoholism often have a higher risk of magnesium deficiency due to a variety of factors. 

Regular excessive alcohol consumption may lead to side effects including kidney problems, gastrointestinal problems, and nutrient deficiencies; these may contribute to lower magnesium levels for some people.

Some people who have undergone bariatric surgeries such as small intestinal bypasses may be at an increased risk of magnesium deficiency among other nutritional deficiencies, and this could potentially be due to lower nutritional absorption.

Magnesium supplementation

Fortunately, magnesium deficiency can be treated by magnesium supplementation. 

There are also a variety of prevention measures against magnesium deficiency, such as consuming enough magnesium through food or supplements.

If you think you have a magnesium deficiency or are at an increased risk, consider getting your blood levels tested. 

As always, consult your doctor before you begin taking any vitamin or mineral supplement to make sure your medications or health conditions don’t make it a serious risk.

References

Bal, B.S., Finelli, F.C., Shope, T.R., Koch, T.R. (2012). Nutritional deficiencies after bariatric surgery. Nature Reviews Endocrinology 8: 544-556. Doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2012.48.

Chaudhary, D.P. Sharma, R., Bansal, D.D. (2010). Implications of magnesium deficiency in type 2 diabetes: a review. Biol Trace Elem Res 134(2): 119-129. Doi: 10.1007/s12011-009-8465-z.

Del Gobbo, L.C., Imamura, F., et al. (2013). Circulating and dietary magnesium and risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr 98(1): 160-173. Doi: 10.3945.ajcn.112.053132.

Larsson, S.C., Wolk, A. (2007). Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis. J Intern Med 262(2): 208-214. Doi: 10.1111/j.1365.2796.2007.01840.x.

Lewis, J.L III. (2020 April). Merck Manual Professional Version: Merck & Co., Inc. Accessed 2021 February 17, from https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/hypomagnesemia

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. (2020 September 25). National Institutes of Health. Accessed 2021 February 17, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

Ranade, V.V., Somberg, J.C. (2001). Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of magnesium after administration of magnesium salts to humans. Am J Ther 8(5): 345-357. Doi: 10.1097/00045391-200109000-00008

Rivlin, R.S. (1994). Magnesium deficiency and alcohol intake: mechanisms, clinical significance and possible relation to cancer development (a review). J Am Coll Nutr 13(5): 416-423. Doi: 10.1080/07315724.1994.10718430.

Rude, R.K., Singer, F.R., Gruber, H.E. (2009). Skeletal and hormonal effects of magnesium deficiency. J Am Coll Nutr 28(2): 131-141. Doi: 10.1080/07315724.2009.10719764.

Tucker, K.L. (2009). Osteoporosis prevention and nutrition. Curr Osteoporos Rep 7(4): 111-117. Doi: 10.1007/s11914-009-0020-5.

Image by aixklusiv from Pixabay 

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