Magnesium Natural Food Sources for Peak Performance and Health by Ralph Teller

Magnesium Facts and Health Benefits

Magnesium is a key electrolyte and is the fourth most common element in the Earth as a whole (behind iron, oxygen and silicon). Magnesium is the 11th most abundant element by mass in the human body. Magnesium ions are essential to all living cells.

Magnesium plays these key roles in optimum health and peak performance:

Regulate Blood Sugar Levels. Magnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels and might play a key role in Diabetes prevention and management. Magnesium may influence the release and activity of insulin, the hormone that helps control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Low blood levels of magnesium are frequently seen in individuals with type 2 diabetes. See Natural Ways to Help Beat and Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Immune Health. Having enough body stores of Magnesium may be protective against immune dysfunction.

Cardiovascular Health and Blood Pressure. Magnesium promotes normal blood pressure, keeps heart rhythm steady, and may play a role in preventing and managing hypertension.

Muscle Function and Contraction. Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function.

Bone Health. Magnesium helps keeps bones strong.

Energy Metabolism and Protein Synthesis. Magnesium is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Magnesium plays a major role in manipulating important biological polyphosphate compounds like ATP, DNA, and RNA.

Athletes Need More Magnesium. For optimum performance, athletes, especially endurance athletes, need more Magnesium. to replace Potassium lost from muscle during exercise and the smaller amount lost in sweat. Low Potassium can cause muscle cramping and cardiovascular irregularities. Eating foods high in Potassium can prevent these symptoms. Eating foods high in Magnesium prior to an athletic event can improve athletic performance. See also Articles on Hydration and Electrolytes

Natural Food Sources of Magnesium

In general, it is best to obtain Magnesium from natural food sources. Magnesium can be found in all green vegetables, as Magnesium is a key component of Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the compound which gives green vegetables a green color. Here is a list of natural food sources of Magnesium. Good sources of Magnesium include spinach, swiss chard, pursalane and kale. It is important not to overcook green vegetables, as this can reduce the amount of nutrients available for absorption. Other good sources of Magnesium include whole grain bread, whole grain cereals, rolled oats, wheat bran and shredded wheat. Many fish (such as halibut and cod) contain magnesium. Beans and legumes (such as soybeans, baked beans, lentils and peanuts) and nuts (such as almonds and cashews) also provide magnesium.

*DV = Daily Value. DVs are reference numbers developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help consumers determine if a food contains a lot or a little of a specific nutrient. The DV for magnesium is 400 milligrams (mg).