The benefits of adding magnesium as a dietary supplement

The benefits of adding magnesium as a dietary supplement

Broccoli is a great source of Magnesium

While I’m always trying to strike a balance between good nutrition and plenty of exercise, I’ve been feeling a bit ‘off’ lately; a bit more sluggish throughout the day, erratic ups and downs in my appetite, muscle spasms and a few other little bothersome things I’d attributed to the aging process up to this point.  Realizing these symptoms were not going away on their own after a few weeks of having trouble sleeping at night and craving a nap during the day, I decided to research what natural supplements may be able to help.  I’ve always taken a women’s multivitamin every day, but let’s face the facts: unless you are eating 100% of your recommended daily allowances and drinking an adequate amount of water each day, your body will not be in the best possible position to absorb all the minerals in your daily vitamin.  So for those of you that think that you can eat poorly simply because you take a daily vitamin and are getting all you need there, think again.

In considering the way I’d been feeling lately, I came across an interesting article in a magazine about the many benefits of magnesium.  Since we hear a lot about how ginkgo biloba will help you focus and increase concentration, and we hear all about Echinacea and zinc helping ward off colds, seeing information about magnesium was news to me, so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned, seeing as how I can say it has truly made a difference in my energy levels and muscle spasms in just the two weeks I’ve been adding it to my daily regimen.  What’s interesting is that a lack of magnesium in your system will present symptoms that are quite similar to what seems the “norm” when going through the aging process. This is all well and good if you’re 80 years old, but if you’re feeling like you may have an irregular heartbeat, or your doctor discusses your increased risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, predisposition to diabetes, etc., chances are you can REALLY benefit by adding magnesium to your dietary supplements.  It has been cited that over 75% of Americans don’t get near enough magnesium in their diets, thus we are essentially allowing our bodies to age faster than they should.

Those that should absolutely consider taking magnesium are people with diabetes, those that are alcoholics, those currently taking heart medications, people on low-calorie diets, those that are heavy exercisers and also those that have been diagnosed with a fat malabsorption problem.   Facts about the many benefits of magnesium are overwhelming; it aids in the prevention of hear t disease, protects against kidney stones and diabetes, as well as curtails the occurrence of chronic fatigue syndrome.  In addition to all this, magnesium actually helps keep our bodies young by protecting our cells in many ways.   Magnesium alone can strengthen muscles and when used in combination with a calcium supplement, ensures strong bones and helps ward off osteoporosis.   To gain maximum benefit, magnesium and calcium should really be taken in tandem, with the dose of magnesium measuring approximately half that of the calcium.

Magnesium is considered to be a very effective free-radical fighting antioxidant.  Those of you that are deficient in magnesium are most likely also deficient in vitamin E, which you need to maintain the proper speed of your aging process.  Not getting enough E will have you looking and feeling older than you are, long before your time.

While there are certainly notable foods that contain magnesium, the supplement itself is very affordable.  Like I said, I started taking it just two weeks ago and have noticed a substantial difference in my overall energy level, as well as a decrease in the number of muscle spasms I’d been previously experiencing relative to a car accident I was in a few years ago. 

As with any time you begin a new diet or health regimen, you should consult with your doctor to see if altering your current mineral intake could be beneficial for you.  In the meantime, there is a wealth of information on how magnesium can positively affect certain health issues; so if you have a health issue mentioned here, do your research and consider giving your body some extra magnesium.  I think you’ll be glad you did.