Magnesium: A Deep Dive Into Its Benefits and Uses PDF

Factors that determine the amount of calcium in the body: Calcium you get in your food. Calcium and vitamin D your intestine absorb. Phosphate in the body. Certain hormones including parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and estrogen in the body. Calcium supplements ...

Factors that determine the amount of calcium in the body: Calcium you get in your food. Calcium and vitamin D your intestine absorb. Phosphate in the body. Certain hormones including parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and estrogen in the body. Calcium supplements  Hypocalcemia It is an abnormally low calcium level in the blood. It can be caused by low levels of PTH, vitamin D deficiency, kidney failure, acute pancreatitis or insufficient magnesium and protein in the blood. Symptoms of Hypocalcemia  Hypercalcemia It is an abnormally high calcium level in the blood. It can be caused by high levels of PTH, vitamin D overdose, prolonged periods of bed rest or immobilization and cancers of bones. Symptoms of Hypercalcemia Why calcium test is done? To check for problems with parathyroid glands, kidney failure and stones, cancers of breast, neck,lung and head, bone problems, pancreatitis and abnormal ECG.  To check if symptoms are caused by very high levels of calcium To check if symptoms are caused by very low levels of calcium As a part of routine blood test ❖ Bone mineral density test measures the amount of calcium in the bones How is the test done? The patient should be in recumbent position and rest at least for 30 minutes before the test The blood should be drawn without the use of tourniqeut Magnesium  Magnesium Introduction Magnesium (Mg) is essential to all living cells. The earth metal plays important roles in the structure and the function of the human body. The adult human body contains about 25 grams of magnesium. Over 60% of all the magnesium in the body is found in the skeleton, about 27% is found in muscle. Magnesium is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions. What is magnesium and what does it do? Magnesium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA. The amount of magnesium you need depends on your age and sex. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in milligrams (mg):  What foods provide magnesium? Magnesium is found naturally in many foods and is added to some fortified foods. You can get recommended amounts of magnesium by eating a variety of foods, including the following: Legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables (such as spinach) Fortified breakfast cereals and other fortified foods Milk, yogurt, and some other milk products  What kinds of magnesium dietary supplements are available? Magnesium is available in multivitamin- mineral supplements and other dietary supplements. Forms of magnesium in dietary supplements that are more easily absorbed by the body are magnesium aspartate, magnesium citrate, magnesium lactate, and magnesium chloride. Magnesium is also included in some laxatives and some products for treating heartburn and indigestion  What are some effects of magnesium on health? Scientists are studying magnesium to understand how it affects health. Here are some examples of what this research has shown. High blood pressure and heart disease High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Magnesium supplements might decrease blood pressure, but only by a small amount. Some studies show that people who have more magnesium in their diets have a lower risk of some types of heart disease and stroke. But in many of these studies, it’s hard to know how much of the effect was due to magnesium as opposed to other nutrients  Type 2 diabetes People with higher amounts of magnesium in their diets tend to have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Magnesium helps the body break down sugars and might help reduce the risk of insulin resistance (a condition that leads to diabetes). Scientists are studying whether magnesium supplements might help people who already have type 2 diabetes control their disease. More research is needed to better understand whether magnesium can help treat diabetes.  Osteoporosis Magnesium is important for healthy bones. People with higher intakes of magnesium have a higher bone mineral density, which is important in reducing the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Getting more magnesium from foods or dietary supplements might help older women improve their bone mineral density. More research is needed to better understand whether magnesium supplements can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis or treat this condition.  Can magnesium be harmful? Magnesium that is naturally present in food is not harmful and does not need to be limited. In healthy people, the kidneys can get rid of any excess in the urine. But magnesium in dietary supplements and medications, however, should not be consumed in amounts above the upper limit, unless recommended by a healthcare provider. he daily upper limits for magnesium from dietary supplements and/or medications are listed below. For many age groups, the upper limit appears to be lower than the recommended amount. This occurs because the recommended amounts include magnesium from all sources—food, dietary supplements and medications. The upper limits include magnesium from only dietary supplements and medications; they do not include magnesium found naturally in food. High intakes of magnesium from dietary supplements and medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Extremely high intakes of magnesium can lead to irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.