How Magnesium Changes Your Body

Magnesium is an irreplaceable biological building block that plays a role in more than 300 biochemical processes in our body and regulates many metabolic functions. Magnesium is one of the essential minerals at the center of many physiological functions, including cellular regeneration, muscle structure, nervous system, glucose balance.

Magnesium Definition

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a cellular, hormonal and physiological role in many metabolic processes. Magnesium is critical for the proper functioning of biochemical processes in the body and its deficiency can be associated with many health problems. Magnesium is an essential helper in cellular functions related to energy production, protein synthesis, cell division and proliferation. It is also directly involved in conditions critical to human health, including regulation of the hormone insulin and glucose balance, enzyme secretion, muscle function, electrolyte balance, bone health, nervous system and cardiovascular system.

Magnesium is an essential mineral for regulating the functions of the nervous system and muscle health. There are many types of magnesium. The different magnesium contents vary according to their availability in the body. Magnesium forms are shaped according to the needs and health goals of the individual. Each form contributes to the body by serving different areas of body health.

Health Effects of Magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral with a variety of health benefits. According to a large-scale review, magnesium supplementation reduces the need for hospitalization in pregnant women and lowers the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. In addition, high magnesium intake reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Magnesium supplementation has also been studied for its effects on blood pressure. It has shown that taking magnesium supplements lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It found that magnesium supplementation may lower blood pressure in individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes or other chronic diseases.

In individuals with prediabetes (hidden diabetes), magnesium supplementation may positively affect the cholesterol profile.

Overall, magnesium supplementation may be beneficial for certain health outcomes, particularly important in terms of reducing the risk of certain diseases and managing blood pressure. However, its effects on broader markers of cardiometabolic health may be limited.

Things to Consider When Taking Magnesium Supplements

Magnesium supplements are commonly used to overcome magnesium deficiency and solve other health problems. However, like all supplements, they can have side effects. Here are the possible side effects of magnesium supplements:

• Gastrointestinal Problems:
  The most common side effects are related to the stomach and intestines. These include diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. These side effects are more common when high doses of magnesium are taken.
• Diarrhea
  Magnesium works as a water-attracting laxative, which can lead to diarrhea. This is especially pronounced with magnesium oxide (MgO) supplements.
• Nausea and Vomiting:
  Some people may experience nausea and vomiting, especially when taking the supplement on an empty stomach.
• Abdominal Cramps
  Abdominal pain and cramps may occur due to the laxative effect of magnesium.
• Serious Side Effects:
  Although rare, serious side effects can occur. For example, in patients with chronic kidney disease, magnesium supplementation has been associated with serious side effects.
• Elevated Magnesium Levels:
  Excessive magnesium intake can lead to high levels of magnesium in the blood. This can lead to low blood pressure, confusion and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest.
• Interaction with Medicines:
  Magnesium can interact with some medicines, for example antibiotics and diuretics, which can reduce their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.

Scientific Statistics on Magnesium Use

The health effects of magnesium supplements have been studied in detail in several studies. Some of the key findings are as follows:

• Blood Pressure
  In a study combining multiple studies, an average of 368 mg of magnesium supplements per day lowered systolic blood pressure by 2.00 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.78 mmHg when taken for 3 months.
• Type 2 Diabetes:
  In observational studies, high magnesium intake reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes. This association is classified as a high degree of evidence.
• Migraine
  In studies in which control groups were randomly compared, magnesium supplementation was found to provide strong evidence for reducing migraine frequency and severity.
• Metabolic Syndrome:
  In patients with metabolic syndrome, supplementation with 400 mg magnesium daily for 12 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure from 134.6 mmHg to 126.3 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure from 84.1 mmHg to 79.4 mmHg.

   

• Depression
  In individuals with mild-to-moderate depression, supplementation with 248 mg magnesium daily for 6 weeks resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Stiffness of the arteries:
  In overweight and obese individuals, 24 mg of magnesium supplementation daily for 350 weeks reduced arterial stiffness.

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