Magnesium supplementation

Magnesium is a mineral which plays an essential role in numerous processes in the human body. It’s important in the regulation of blood pressure, maintaining bone strength, maintaining a healthy heart rhythm, regulating blood-sugar levels, producing energy and important proteins and the synthesis of DNA and RNA.

Magnesium is found in different foods, some of which are legumes, spinach, nuts, seeds, whole grains, chocolate, avocado, fish… Still, with people who don’t consume enough magnesium through food, supplementation can provide the health benefits of this mineral and help with the risks that magnesium deficiency carries.

Magnesium deficiency can play a role in the development of different health issues such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Alzheimer's disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Osteoporosis

Magnesium deficiency can be difficult to spot, some diseases and groups of drugs can affect the regulation of magnesium levels in the body. Some of the signs of magnesium deficiency are loss of appetite, vomiting, exhaustion, feeling weak, numbness, muscle spasms, heart rhythm changes.

In the stomach, magnesium helps with the neutralization of stomach acids and promotes healthy metabolism and digestion, it is often used with constipation.

Even though magnesium supplements are considered healthy and safe, experts suggest that there is no need to take magnesium supplements if you don’t have magnesium deficiency, especially if you have other health issues. Magnesium supplements can interact with certain drugs and medications in unwanted ways.

Most people that consume magnesium supplements have no unwanted side effects, but it is possible to experience nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. People with kidney problems are under higher risk of having negative reactions to these supplements.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that magnesium provides significant health benefits to people who have adequate magnesium levels in their bodies. If you don’t have magnesium deficiency symptoms and if testing doesn’t show a deficit, it is most likely unnecessary for you to take magnesium supplements.

If you have doubts about magnesium deficiency, seek advice with a doctor or other certified healthcare expert. If they recommend magnesium supplements, you need to stick to the recommended dosage and consumption method which can vary depending on the specific case.

Office of Dietary Supplements - magnesium. (n.d.). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.*

*Image taken from: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/lentils-legumes-storage-containers-8974508/*