Introduction to magnesium
Of all supplements right now there seems to be a buzz around magnesium so I wanted to explore its role in the body.
I first became aware of magnesium over a decade ago when my nutritionalist put me being a chocoholic down to a lack of magnesium. It’s then that I discovered that magnesium can ease PMS and chocolate is a good source of magnesium. So for all women out there that eat chocolate at certain times of the month, like I used to, don’t beat yourself up, it may be like me and your body is crying out for magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral that is not just important for the body it is ubiquitous. It is crucial to:
- Nerve transmission
- Muscle contraction
- Blood coagulation
- Energy production
- Nutrient metabolism
- Bone and cell formation
People get magnesium from their diet, but sometimes magnesium supplements are needed if magnesium levels are too low. Dietary intake of magnesium may be low, particularly among women. Magnesium deficiency is also not uncommon among African Americans and the elderly. Low magnesium levels in the body have been linked to diseases such a:
- osteoporosis
- high blood pressure
- clogged arteries
- hereditary heart disease
- diabetes
- strokes
Foods that are high in fiber are generally high in magnesium. Magnesium is also found in chocolate, diary products, meats and “hard” water or water with a high mineral content.
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Do you know the benefits of drinking tea?
I have to admit that I don't drink tea. I like my herbal teas but lets face it, they don't actually contain any tea. In a morning I like my decaf americano. But having done the research on tea, I may need to change my habits. Prof Feng and his team in collaboration with Essex University and Cambridge have been researching the impact of long term tea drinking habits. They concluded that individuals that drank either green tea,oolong tea or black tea at least four times a week for about 25 years had better brain health than people who don't drink tea. So what are the other benefits of tea?
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