Magnesium - Benefits To Aging Baby Boomers (Part 1)
Magnesium - Benefits To Aging Baby Boomers (Part 1)
Aging baby boomers are faced with a host of potential health problems. Some are secondary in nature. By that I mean that the actual cause of the illness stems from a root cause such as stress. Other illnesses are simply a failure of the body's ability to prevent the disease. In this short article, we will discuss how magnesium can help in both of the above circumstances.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral found in the body. It is also a nicronutrient and as much as sixty percent of the mineral is stored in the bones. Most of the remainder of mineral is found in the muscles and cells. It is estimated that it is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
Aging baby boomers seem to have lower detary intakes of the mineral which results in a deficiency. Other deficiency causes may be problems with absorption, increased renal excretion and some drugs that we may take that interacts with the mineral.
Overall, Magnesium seems to help in the following ways:
Helps to fight stress.
Helps to lower and keep blood pressure regulated.
Helps reduce the risk of heart disease, angina and arrhythmias.
Helps against the formation of blood clots.
Helps to raise HDL cholesterol levels.
Helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function.
Helps prevent complications related to diabetes.
Helps in the body's energy metabolism.
Helps limit free radical damage.
Helps supports a healthy immune system.
Helps to prevent osteoporosis by keeping the bones healthy.
Helps to maintain normal levels of calcium, potassium, adrenaline, phosphorus and insulin.
Helps in the treatment of migraines and asthma.
Aging baby boomers need magnesium! Our health and longevity depend on this valuable
mineral.
Stress
We regularly are confronted with stressors that cause us to experience this thing we call stress. Certain hormones are released that gives us that 'fight or flight' feeling. You understand that these are the two extremes. There is a lot of territory between the two. In other words, there are many ways for us to react without 'fighting' or 'flighting'.
The feeling or experience of stress may be stronger if we have low or deficient levels of magnesium. Very simply, normal levels of the mineral helps to inhibit the excessive release of these hormones. That in turn helps to reduce stress.
Blood Pressure
There are studies that shows that people which have good intake of dietary magnesium and potassium consistently have lower blood pressures. Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, Rosner B, Willett WC, Sacks FM, Stampfer MJ. A prospective study of nutritional factors and hypertension among US men. Circulation 1992;86:1475-84. [PubMed abstract]
This is accomplished, at least in part, in the following ways.
* It helps the heart muscles to stay relaxed
* It helps regulate the heart beat
* It helps muscle contraction and nerve conduction
* It keeps the vascular system pliable
(It was shown that normal dilation response to increased blood flow was improved)
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular disease, which is closely associated with the above, is also affected by maintaining normal levels of magnesium. This can be accomplished by the fact that the muscles, the nervous system, the blood clotting action, the HDL or good cholesterol are all affected by this dietary mineral.
Cardiovascular disease is a general term to denote any number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Some of the more common types are angina, heart attack, coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart arrhythmias.
It is also a mineral that is essential to a variety of body processes such as energy and DNA production, protein formation and nerve conduction. Concerning energy and carbohydrate metabolism, it may influence the release and activity of the hormone, insulin, that helps control blood glucose levels. It is further needed by synthesizing proteins in the mitochondria for almost all metabolic processes.
Specific to Aging Baby Boomers
Stress - Stress is limited by reducing the excessive release of fight or flight hormones.
Blood Pressure - Blood pressure is a big issue for aging baby boomers. It is reduced by its effect on the heart, the vascular system and the muscles.
Cardiovascular Disease - Cardiovascular disease which includes heart attack,
angina, coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart arrhythmias is affected by the action of magnesium.
In part 2 we will continue on with these conditions and more. The individual illnesses and conditions will also be listed to show how they affect aging baby boomers.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER REGARDING THIS SITE: Information on this site is provided for
educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation. Please consult an appropriate health care provider about the applicability of any opinions or suggestions with respect to your own symptoms or medical conditions.
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