The latest studies indicate that the role of magnesium in our health, especially in pathologies such as migraine or colorectal cancer is not negligible.
In most cases, the general population is not deficient in Magnesium. We usually cover our daily magnesium needs with diet alone and an excess of magnesium can be counterproductive.
It is true that some pathologies – such as migraine – can benefit from high doses of magnesium administered as a medicine, often intravenously. But for the rest of the functions of this mineral, it is enough to maintain an adequate intake instead of finding benefits to supplement if there is no deficit.
Although it is not a nutrient that worries us, it is becoming more and more important in our health. Below are some therapeutic applications of magnesium shown by the latest studies. You can also order magnesium plus online if you are deficit in your magnesium levels.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Magnesium Include:
1. Use When Experiencing a Migraine
We know, because there are studies that prove it, that migraine patients have a lower level of magnesium in the blood than the healthy population, and these levels also fall further during migraine attacks. So it seems that magnesium levels may have something to do with these headaches and is currently a topic under investigation.
According to a 2016 meta-analysis published in the Pain Physician Journal, supplementation with magnesium – oral and intravenous – reduces the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, so researchers point to it as a therapy to explore in migraine prevention and the improvement of symptoms.
In 2017, another study confirmed it: 2 grams of intravenous magnesium reduced the intensity of migraine pain, more than the usual treatment with caffeine citrate. And according to a 2017 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the combined supplementation of chamomile, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium gives good results in prevention and has no side effects.
In the pediatric emergency headache management guide, published in 2016 in Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 1 gram of magnesium sulfate is safe and effective against migraines and can be used during pregnancy because it is safe for the fetus.
2. Our Cardiovascular Health
Although there is a lot of scientific literature that relates magnesium intake to better cardiovascular health, a pertinent question may be asked: is this relationship due to magnesium itself or that a diet rich in magnesium is also rich in other healthy nutrients?
Could cardiovascular health be maintained with an insane diet, based on, for example, pastries, precooked foods, and fast food, while supplemented with magnesium? Probably not that’s why without paying attention to the diet, the benefits of magnesium cannot be experienced.
3. Colorectal Cancer
Something similar occurs with colorectal cancer. It seems that the higher the intake, the less chance of cancer (at least up to 270 mg daily). But if we stop to think, a diet rich in magnesium is also richer in fiber because of the food it contains (green vegetables, whole grains…), and that is directly related to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
4. Strong Bones
Magnesium has a crucial role in bone metabolism. When ingested with calcium, it improves the absorption of this nutrient as well (so many supplements include both minerals in its formulation).
Magnesium has an inhibitory function of parathormone, which is the hormone that triggers bone degradation to release calcium into the bloodstream. In addition to inhibiting bone resorption, magnesium stimulates new bone and participate in the activity of vitamin D. Therefore, the role of magnesium in maintaining strong bones is indisputable. For magnesium to perform all these vital functions for bone health, it is sufficient to cover the normal requirements with the diet.
But by itself, it is not enough, because it is necessary to add a series of conditions: adequate intake of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and K, physical activity, low salt diet and preferably not being a smoker or a drinker. Focusing only on one of these conditions is a useless approach. Both in bone health and general health.
5. Against Constipation
The use of magnesium to treat constipation is not anything novel since it has been in the list of traditional remedies for years. The milk of magnesia has been used traditionally as a laxative and as a remedy for mild intestinal disorders, as in case of indigestion.
As a laxative, magnesium chloride is more common. This compound has osmotic capacity; that is, it attracts water to the intestine, thereby softening the stool, which helps with evacuation, and also has a stimulating effect on peristalsis (bowel movements).
A 2007 study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition and conducted in Japan, seems to point out that the diet low in magnesium, intake of water, and fiber are related to constipation.
6. Act as an Antacid
Its effectiveness as an antacid is also within its traditional uses. It is usually administered in the form of magnesium carbonate, which has a more alkaline pH and, therefore, is effective in neutralizing stomach acid. It acts similarly to bicarbonate, which is usually taken in these cases as well.
7. Depression, Anxiety, Stress
The deficit of this mineral is associated with psychological and emotional disorders. Depression, anxiety, and stress are some of the moods that have been studied about magnesium. It is important to note, in the first place, that there are rarely situations that occur due to a deficiency of a single nutrient, so pretending that magnesium (or any other isolated substance) will cure or solve these problems would not be realistic in any case. In depression, an improvement of the symptoms is observed when supplementing with magnesium but be careful! All we say for sure is that Magnesium is a preventive factor for depression, and its deficit, is a risk factor, as published in 2006 in Medical Hypotheses.
Other studies conclude that magnesium supplementation can help when it accompanies the usual treatment of depression. Here are some other benefits of magnesium to explore.
Conclusion
The combination of several micronutrients, including magnesium, has also been studied as a cocktail to manage stress, but so far it is far from having obtained remarkable results. At the moment, the only valid advice regarding magnesium and mood is simply to maintain adequate plasma values, anything above has not shown to provide significant benefits.
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