Some studies suggest that more than half of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diet. Our diet of highly processed foods and poor eating habits are to blame. This magnesium deficiency can cause a whole host of issues because magnesium is essential for calcium absorption and utilization. In addition, magnesium is necessary for nerve and muscle functions.

Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer and is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Studies have demonstrated that magnesium can be helpful in relieving tight achy muscle pain, leg cramps, restless leg syndrome and chronic headaches. Essentially, magnesium is the mineral needed by every cell in your body to continue the flow of energy that causes muscle relaxation.

Men and women are both prone to the tight muscles that can cause pain and poor sleep. Your nerves send signals to your muscles telling them when to contract and relax. Unfortunately, these signals can be scrambled and the muscle responds by cramping. Many doctors and naturopaths believe that a mineral imbalance can be a chief cause. In fact, studies show that people with chronic cramping do find relief through magnesium supplementation. However, magnesium isn’t just for those who have started to feel the pains of aging. It’s also important for children:

“Magnesium (Mg)

Benefits:

- has an important role in the process of energy metabolism

- controls the vital function of the body, like heart pulse, muscle relaxation, and avoids blood coagulation

- forms bones and teeth together with calcium

Sources: nuts, avocado, meat, milk, chocolate” (From Children’s Health Blog)

Taking magnesium can definitely help relax your muscles. By helping your muscles relax, magnesium also helps your mind relax. The body’s stress response triggers muscle tension, but when the physical tension is released, mental anxiety is eased as well:

“Supplements are used to rebuild bone and cartilage, reduce pain and inflammation, as well as relax muscles. They are divided into two groups. The first ones build strength and the second relieves pain…Some useful strength builders are Glucosamine sulfate, calcium, magnesium and vitamins C and D. All of these will help to build bone and cartilage.” (From Pain in the Neck Blog)

If you are prone to cramping of any of your muscles, talk to your doctor about the possibility that the muscle cramps are due to a magnesium deficiency. If, after testing, your doctor determines that you are deficient, you may be told to start magnesium therapy. Magnesium is available from your local health store or click here to purchase from Physician’s Preference.

---

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 12th, 2006 at 2:20 pm and is filed under Health & Wellness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.