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Magnesium
All living creatures require magnesium. It is essential in the transmission of nerve impulses, bone growth, the proper functioning of muscles, and the manufacture of DNA and protein. Magnesium is an important component of many enzyme systems, especially enzymes needed for the release of energy from glycogen stored in the muscles. About 60% of the body's magnesium is in the bones; the rest is in the soft tissues or circulating in the blood.
Magnesium deficiency is rare in healthy people, unless there is an underlying disease that damages the body's ability to absorb or metabolize magnesium. Most at risk are alcoholics, those with liver or kidney disease, sufferers of severe diabetes, people who take diuretics, or sufferers of prolonged diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include nausea, apathy, lack of appetite, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, leg cramps, insomnia, convulsions, prickling or burning sensations, and an irregular heartbeat.
Do not take magnesium supplements
(unless prescribed by a doctor). Large doses of magnesium can
be fatal to people with kidney disease, and may upset the calcium/magnesium
balance in the rest of us, causing nervous-system disorders. Frequent
and prolonged used of magnesium containing antacids or laxatives (especially
by the elderly) can cause drowsiness, lethargy, profuse sweating, slurred
speech, unsteady gait, decreased tendon reflexes, and heart-beat irregularities.
Good sources of magnesium include seafoods, freshwater fish, seeds (pumpkin,
sunflower, sesame), nuts, whole-grain cereals, wholemeal breads, legumes,
figs, molasses, seaweed, and milk.
Content & Updated by Reps Mags (MNU)