Uses For Magnesium
Interesting Facts on Uses for Magnesium in the Body
The human body is composed of many elements, including many minerals that perform a variety of functions; the uses for magnesium in the body may far outnumber that of any other mineral.
There are over 300 uses for magnesium in the human body that relate to various bodily systems. Some of the systems which depend on this vital mineral to perform biochemical reactions are the skeletal muscle, the smooth muscle, the skeletal structure, cardiovascular, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
Skeletal muscle is also called voluntary muscle; it is the muscle that we can control and that can move, or contract, on its own. Through exercise, daily activity and some medical conditions, these muscles can sometime stiffen, twitch and become sore. One of the uses for magnesium is to relieve cramps, spasms and pain of the muscles in our bodies.
There is yet another type of muscle present in the human body, called smooth muscle. A great deal of our internal organs is comprised of smooth muscle; for example, smooth muscles are in the bladder, gall bladder, veins, arteries and digestive tract. These muscles are referred to as involuntary muscles as a person has no conscious control over these; rather, they are controlled by the human nervous system and hormones. Preventing constipation and easing menstrual cramps are just two of many uses for magnesium in smooth muscle function.
The human skeleton serves as the main support system of the body. The bones that make up the skeletal system have a composition of minerals, with calcium ranking as #1. Two of the major uses for magnesium, working in coordination with potassium, are to metabolize calcium and to recruit calcium from the bones. Magnesium provides both rigidity and flexibility to our bony structure, making it a key component in fighting or treating osteoporosis.
Doctors are discovering more and more proof that magnesium is essential to good cardiovascular health. Some of the most important uses for magnesium are to lower LDL, prevent congestive heart failure and stroke, as well as control blood pressure levels. A number of studies have linked magnesium supplements with a decreased risk of death from heart disease, as well as a diminished risk for developing Type 2 diabetes; a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
More great uses for magnesium are found in the nervous system; both central and peripheral. Areas such as insomnia, anxiety, stress, panic attacks and such are all examples of low magnesium levels, as the mineral works to control hyperexcitability of the nerves and muscles.
Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diets for a variety of reasons. It is relatively easy to add spinach, beans, peanuts and pumpkin seeds to a diet, all of which are good sources of magnesium. Also, supplements are available for those not able to work them into their diets. With so many uses for magnesium in the human body that affect good health, it is imperative for individuals to take steps to ensure they are receiving their recommended daily requirements of magnesium.