Well that’s a question, isn’t it?
By the other Sunday I would have said vaguely
“Well, I suppose everyone, to a degree.”
That Sunday I got up, had breakfast, and got ready for church. The whole time I had the uncomfortable feeling that I was about to fall over. –
What?
Weird, but what bothered me was I was also getting a little dizzy, dizzy, you know, like my brain was swimming around in my head and I didn’t know what to do with myself. What I had to admit had started to feel just a little scary.
I think it came to a head when I went for a walk and looked for a church that was closer to my house that I could walk to instead of taking the car. But that day, instead of walking up the driveway and noticing that the parking lot was full, I decided the service had probably already started, so I went home to avoid going somewhere I didn’t know anyone. Instead of walking in, sitting down with a panadol and a cup of coffee, I just grabbed the car keys and drove to my usual church. Also fairly new to me as I’ve only been living here for a few weeks.
After that, I went to a nearby coffee shop with some of my new friends for lunch, where I again had trouble standing up. When she told one of my companions, she told me about one of her relatives who had experienced something similar. Being a farmer, it reminded him of “The Staggers” that cattle suffered when they were deficient in magnesium. He told his doctor and was advised to try magnesium supplementation.
Now, up until a few weeks ago, I had been taking a supplement that actually contained magnesium, but I had run out of pills. The main supplement in the tablets was turmeric, not magnesium. At the time I just thought, well, I’ll get a few more in the next fortnight. Of course, since I only bought this because I thought it might be good for my health, I didn’t think it was important. So I just forgot about the nearest store and when I remembered it (after I got home of course) I told myself don’t worry I’ll just go and buy the nearest store instead. Needless to say, I forgot about it then too. is
However, after my Sunday “episode” I made sure to buy some magnesium tablets and started taking them daily. Within a week I seemed to be back to normal, so I forgot about it. Although I continued to take the pills.
Until I didn’t, running and thinking to wait for the next store. Well, you know the saying, those who don’t remember their history will always get the same results. A few days of nodding off, even sitting in a comfortable chair all day, then the return of the head-floating problem sent me to the drugstore pretty damn fast.
But – it also sent me to the computer and my second favorite activity, thorough research. I quickly discovered that people may not need magnesium supplementation if they eat a few servings of nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, leafy greens, milk, yogurt, and fortified foods, all of which are good sources of this element. Even water (tap, bottled water, bottled water) can supply it. Unfortunately, many of us don’t eat all of the foods that help us, do we?
And for me the following question arises: WHY do we need this? –
Did you know that the Mayo Clinic reported that magnesium supports muscle, nerve function and energy production, synthesizes proteins, DNA and RNA? Like some antibiotics and osteoporosis drugs. Also, the antioxidant glutathione contributes to structural bone development and helps increase calcium absorption.
Plus, just 1 ounce of raw almonds provides 20% of your daily magnesium needs. And who doesn’t like almonds? OK. I know there are some who don’t, and even some who are allergic, but for many of us, YUM.
Magnesium also plays a role, in our metabolism cells use magnesium to transport calcium and potassium ions through the cell walls.
On the other hand, low magnesium levels have been linked to osteoporosis, anxiety, depression and ADHD, among others.
Magnesium is sometimes recommended as a supplement to treat people with high blood pressure, some chronic conditions, diabetes, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Heavy drinking and alcoholism have been shown to sometimes lead to chronically low magnesium levels, as do conditions like Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. Older adults (like me ï Š) may tend to have lower scores than young adults. In part because the gut often becomes less efficient at absorbing magnesium, while our kidneys can become less efficient at storing magnesium. Also, type 2 diabetes can cause the kidneys to excrete too much magnesium, which (surprise, surprise) leads to a magnesium deficit.
Several long-term studies have found a correlation between high magnesium levels and a lower risk of heart disease, sudden cardiac death, and ischemic heart disease (National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements). This also helps prevent strokes. An analysis of 7 studies, including one of more than 200,000 people, found that an additional 100 ml of magnesium daily reduced the risk of stroke by 8% – (review of February 2012 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Very positive findings.
Side effects of the dietary supplement can be
nausea, cramps and diarrhea
May interact with certain medications, diuretics, heart medications, or antibiotics.
Patients with diabetes, bowel disease, heart disease, or kidney disease should consult their doctor before beginning any treatment.
Signs of an overdose may include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness and fatigue.
As with many medical remedies, very high doses can have dire effects.
There was so much more information through my research, but overall, including the disappearance of the original symptoms I was experiencing before I started taking my magnesium supplements, I truly believe that once you start a magnesium regimen, you take care of your health should , provided one is aware of side effects, is a good way to increase magnesium levels in the body and promote health and fitness.
So to my original question: who needs magnesium? –
I would say – probably everyone.
Thanks to Hilary Green
