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Magnesium Deficiency

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 6:14:00 AM Posted by Food Supplement

By Frank Will


Magnesium deficiency is not as big of a problem as some of the other nutrient deficiencies, but it is still a major problem if not treated. Magnesium plays important roles in the body, and liquid vitamins and minerals can play a vital role with this nutrient because of the superior absorption ratio compared to tablets or capsules.

The major role of magnesium in the body is in its structure. The adult human body contains about 25 grams of magnesium.

Over 60% of all magnesium in the body is found in the skeleton, about 27% in muscle, 6% to 7% is found in cells, and less than 1% is found outside of cells.

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions such as energy production, synthesis of essential molecules, structural roles, cell signaling, and cell migration. The metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to produce energy requires numerous magnesium dependent chemical reactions and it is also is required for a number of steps during nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) and protein synthesis.

Glutathione, an important antioxidant, requires magnesium for its synthesis.

So what exactly is Glutathione?

Glutathione is an extremely interesting and a very small molecule produced by the body and it is found in virtually every cell in the body. There is speculation that this antioxidant helps repair the body from everyday stress, pollution, poor diet and nutrition, aging, as well as trauma.

Magnesium also plays a structural role in bone, cell membranes, and chromosomes, and is required for the active transport of ions, like potassium and calcium across cell membranes. Through its role in ion transport systems, magnesium affects the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm.

Calcium and magnesium levels in the fluid surrounding cells affect the migration of different cell types. Such effects on cell migration may be important in wound healing, but it may also be associated with aging and trauma, but the research is still out on the overall Glutathione effects enhanced by magnesium.

However, a deficiency of this nutrient may impair the process of wound healing and impact the effectiveness of Glutathione.

Interactions do occur with other minerals and vitamins, as high doses of zinc in supplementation form apparently interferes with the absorption of magnesium, and large increases in the intake of dietary fiber have been found to decrease magnesium utilization in some studies. Dietary protein may also affect magnesium absorption, which may also cause magnesium deficiency. The active form of vitamin D, calcitroil, may slightly increase intestinal absorption of magnesium.

The even distributions that liquid vitamins and minerals provide will assist in these magnesium functions, as magnesium absorption does not seem to be calcitroil dependent as is the absorption of calcium and phosphate.

A deficiency of this nutrient in healthy individuals who are consuming a balanced diet is quite rare because magnesium is abundant in both plant and animal foods and because the kidneys are able to limit urinary extraction of magnesium when intake is low.

However, there are conditions that increase the risk of magnesium deficiency such as gastrointestinal disorders that include chronic diarrhea, Chrohn's disease, and renal disorders such as diabetes mellitus that may result in urinary loss of magnesium.

Chronic alcoholism, because of poor dietary intake, may also increase urinary loss of magnesium and may result in a deficiency of this nutrient. Age also seems to have an affect on magnesium excretion.

Because magnesium is part chlorophyll, the green leafy pigments in plants are rich in magnesium. Unrefined grains and nuts also have high content.

Good food sources of magnesium include 100% bran cereal, oat bran, shredded wheat, brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, lima beans, spinach (frozen), Swiss chard (chopped), okra (frozen), molasses (blackstrap), bananas, and 1% milk.

Magnesium supplements are available as magnesium oxide, magnesium gluconate, magnesium chloride, and magnesium citrate salts, as well as amino acids chelates, including magnesium aspartate.

Magnesium hydroxide is used as an ingredient in several antacids, and has proven to be extremely effective over along period of time. There are several very good brands of liquid vitamins and supplements in today's markets that can assist with the distribution of this nutrient.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.

Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

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