Magnesium…a mineral essential for mental and cardiovascular health

Magnesium is an essential and important element for human health, and is commonly recommended for heart and nerve health, physical health, and boosting the immune system. It plays an important role in improving mental health and protecting against symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. . According to the US Food and Drug Administration, it is an essential mineral that cannot be produced by the human body, meaning it must be obtained through diet and nutritional supplementation, and it contributes to hundreds of vital functions, including regulating blood sugar. , reducing muscle spasms, reducing stress and maintaining… blood pressure. Therefore, it is important to get the best amount of these nutrients containing the above mentioned minerals on a daily basis.
Although this mineral is found in a variety of foods such as beans, vegetables and seeds, most people's diets are too low in magnesium, which can negatively affect health. Health doctor Fadi Sinan told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that this mineral is an important and necessary element for the human body. It mainly helps boost the immune system and plays various roles in improving health. He explains: “The human body needs a steady supply of this mineral daily to maintain good health and perform vital functions. It helps support bone and blood vessel health.” According to Chinon, this mineral can be obtained from a group of foods, especially leafy vegetables such as spinach, grains and nuts, as a nutritional supplement. While there are different types of magnesium supplements and some types of specialty supplements that support heart health, there are different types that support bones, he points out. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to find out what kind of supplements to take.

Benefits

Cardiologist Dr. According to Neil Srinivasan, British newspaper The Telegraph, the human body usually contains proteins called enzymes, and their function is to convert or produce substances needed by the human body. Therefore, magnesium plays a role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including those responsible for controlling blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Apart from maintaining heart health, it also helps muscles work better and boosts immunity.

Srinivasan explains that magnesium does more than help control blood pressure and blood glucose levels, as it helps maintain cell membranes and mitochondria (specialized components in every cell that nourish and function). In turn, Sinon confirms that magnesium plays a role in strengthening the heart muscle and helps maintain blood flow to the arteries. Also, insufficient magnesium in the human body can lead to cardiovascular disorders including high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis.

Depression and mental health

Magnesium, on the other hand, plays a role in supporting mental health and helps reduce thoughts and obsessions, common symptoms of anxiety. A supplement called magnesium bisglycinate is particularly helpful in this regard because its formula binds magnesium to an organic compound called glycine. Psychiatrist Nadia Safi El-Din says taking this mineral is very helpful in calming the nerves, especially for those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. He told al-Arabi al-Jadeed: “There are no studies to support considering it as a therapeutic ingredient for obsessive-compulsive diseases or disorders, but it does help calm the nerves and muscles.”

Magnesium helps boost immunity and support digestive health because it binds with citric acid. Sinon says, “Magnesium treats stomach and intestinal disorders, and taking magnesium or supplements can help treat constipation.” On the other hand, magnesium helps treat acidity. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, 80 to 240 milligrams of magnesium is recommended for children ages one to 14. For women, a daily intake of 300 to 360 milligrams is recommended. If the woman is pregnant, the percentage should be increased to 400 mg. For men, 400 to 430 milligrams per day is recommended. According to The Telegraph, modern farming techniques have changed the mineral content of soil, dramatically reducing the magnesium levels in the foods we eat today. According to one study, magnesium in vegetables decreased by 24 percent between 1940 and 1991, while intensive processing of foods further reduced its levels. However, you can still get the magnesium you need from food sources. Seeds like pumpkin and chia are particularly rich sources, as are nuts like almonds, cashews and peanuts, as well as spinach and shredded wheat grains.

diseases

Many Americans don't eat enough foods containing this mineral, experts say. According to the American Journal of Medicine, adults who get less than the recommended amount of magnesium have more symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to major health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. Low magnesium also appears to be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Sinon confirms that many diseases related to the heart and blood vessels are partially caused by an unhealthy, unbalanced diet and magnesium deficiency. and muscles.