Why is magnesium so important for our health?

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant element in our body.

It plays an important role in regulating blood pressure, blood glucose, in regulating insulin and in the metabolism of adenosine triphosphate (energy molecules). It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions that are responsible for our body to function normally, it is also involved in protein synthesis and the transmission of nerve stimuli. It affects normal psychological functioning, heart function and bone health.

The recommended daily intake of magnesium is more than 300 mg, depending on the sex, age and other characteristics of the individual. Magnesium is found in the body mostly in the bones, but it is also found in muscles and other soft tissues, and the least of it is in extracellular fluids – in the blood.

Good sources of magnesium are nuts, whole grains, legumes, green vegetables, oranges, bananas. Magnesium deficiency is called hypomagnesaemia. Diabetics, the elderly, and people who have increased excretion (athletes) or decreased absorption (stress, intestinal diseases) of magnesium are most prone to it. The consequences of hypomagnesaemia are hypertension, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, muscle spasms, arterial calcifications and others.

Recent studies show that magnesium intake is declining, which can have a serious impact on an individual’s health. Intake of extra 100 mg/day of magnesium was associated with a 5% reduction in the risk of hypertension, with an 8% reduction in the risk of stroke. The European Food Safety Authority has also approved several health claims related to magnesium.

Supplementing a varied and balanced diet with magnesium is recommended for everyone who would like to prevent subclinical magnesium deficiency, especially if they want to achieve optimal magnesium concentrations in the body and to prevent chronic diseases, including ischemic heart disease.

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