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 micro-nutrient 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 dietary 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.
Diabetes
Please note the following study concerning type 2 diabetes in men and women. Lopez-Ridaura R, Willett WC, Rimm EB, Liu S, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Hu FB. Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in men and women. Diabetes Care 2004;27:134-40.
Quote: 'As part of these studies, over 127,000 research subjects (85,060 women and 42,872 men) with no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline were followed to examine risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes... Over time, the risk for developing type 2 diabetes was greater in men and women with a lower magnesium intake.'
Bone Health
There is a relationship that must be maintained between calcium and vitamin D in order to keep aging baby boomers bones healthy. Magnesium affects the metabolism of calcium and the hormones that regulate calcium absorption. A study that involved older adults showed that a greater magnesium intake maintained bone mineral density to a greater degree than a lower magnesium intake. Tucker KL, Hannan MT, Chen H, Cupples LA, Wilson PW, Kiel DP. Potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetable intakes are associated with greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69(4):727-36.
A caution is in order at this point. Out of balance problems and symptoms may develop if a delicate balance is not maintained between magnesium and other minerals, especially calcium. The symptoms may include fatigue, low blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, muscular problems, gastrointestinal problems and some depression/stress related problems.
Malabsorption and Deficiency
If the body has a low dietary intake of magnesium, the kidneys are usually able to limit excess urinary excretion in order to maintain normal levels. However, there are a number of disorders that can limit the absorption. Crohn's disease, for instance, causes elimination before the body can absorb it.
Malabsorption and deficiency may also be the result of some medicines. They include medicines such as diuretics, some antibiotics and antineoplastic medication (cancer fighting).
A final list of conditions that magnesium helps fight against or helps in the treatment of is muscle spasm from injury, nervous irritability and spastic colon. The list also includes a rare disease known as Raynaud's disease, epilepsy, migraine headaches and grangrene. Improved exercise tolerance to the tune of 14 percent has been demonstrated in a control study group.
Some of the best foods for the highest percentage of the mineral include fish such as halibut and tuna, fruits, nuts, and a variety of green vegetables. The chlorophyll molecule in green vegetables is the part that contains the concentration of magnesium. The recommended daily allowance is generally set as 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women.
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.
Diabetes - Diabetes is affected in that it helps control blood glucose levels through carbohydrate metabolism.
Energy Metabolism Energy metabolism is directly affected by its action of synthesizing proteins in the mitochondria. Improved exercise tolerance is one result.
Bone Health - Good bone health is accomplished by it's regulating effect of calcium metabolism and the hormones that regulate calcium absorption.
Other - Other important areas includes the formation of blood clots, raising HDL cholesterol levels, muscle and nerve function,limiting free radical damage and supporting a healthy immune system.
Caution. - There must be a delicate balance maintained between magnesium and other minerals.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER REGARDING THIS ARTICLE: Information 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.
About this Author
This article was compiled and written by George Hollis. Mr. Hollis is a baby boomer who wishes to present information concerning health that is of benefit and specific to baby boomers around the world. He is also the owner and author of articles on BoomersProfit.com, a site wholly dedicated to baby boomers.
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