Magnesium

Magnesium

More than 300 reactions in the body depend on the mineral magnesium, and one of those processes involves how your body uses glucose. Magnesium helps manage blood sugar levels, maintain blood pressure levels already in normal ranges, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Emerging research suggests that magnesium may also infl uence the release and activity of insulin, the hormone that helps control blood glucose levels. Magnesium is found in a wide array of foods including cooked halibut, almonds, soybeans, whole grain cereal, yogurt, spinach, avocados, bananas and milk. Despite the variety of magnesium sources, up to 50 percent of the U.S. population has an inadequate dietary intake of magnesium. High doses of magnesium (usually around 600 mg.) have been known to cause a laxative-like effect. With that said, it is recommended to limit your magnesium intake to approximately 350 mg. per serving.

Magnesium for bone health

The mineral magnesium may not come to mind with regard to bone health, but nearly 50% of the body?s supply of magnesium is found in bone. Of the 300 essential metabolic reactions in the body that depend on magnesium, the metabolism of bone is one of them. Magnesium is directly involved in the formation of bone and the maintenance of bone density, which can help in the prevention of fractures. If you think you might be at risk of low magnesium levels, talk to your doctor about taking a magnesium supplement.