Saturday, December 14, 2013

IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS WE LACK #3: MAGNESIUM

Every organ in the body -- especially the heart, muscles, kidneys, pancreas, and bones -- needs the mineral magnesium. Many large observational studies have found that low magnesium intake is linked to higher rates of type 2 diabetes.  While excess weight is by far the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes, inadequate magnesium appears to also be a contributing factor.  For example, two landmark studies in the US that tracked over 127,000 people for up to 18 years found that those with higher magnesium intake were 27% less likely to get diabetes than those with lower magnesium intake.  Higher magnesium intake has also been linked to lower levels of inflammation in the body and this may be one way that it reduces risk of type 2 diabetes.
What to do:  It is recommended that women get 320mg of magnesium and men get 450mg.  Most Americans are falling short.  The best dietary sources of magnesium include seeds, nuts, dark greens, beans, bran, and fish.  Be sure to check with your health care provider before taking magnesium supplements.  The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, magnesium gluconate, and magnesium lactate.

No comments:

Post a Comment