Magnesium: the Miracle Mineral by Dr. Mark Wiley

In past articles I have written about the power of ginseng and bananas. Today I would like to outline the miracle effects of magnesium. I say miracle because magnesium is absolutely vital to the maintenance of our health in so many capacities. In fact, it activates over 350 different biochemical reactions in the body!

Did you know that more than a dozen symptoms and health concerns could be improved or cured just by regulating the magnesium level in your body! It's true. Here are a few of them:

Insomnia, PMS, fatigue and general low energy, muscle contraction, tension and headaches, irregular bowel function, worry and anxiety, irritability, weakening of bones, general heart function, back and shoulder aches, nervous energy, and more.

In fact, since magnesium regulates calcium, potassium and sodium in the body, signs and symptoms related to their deficiency or excess are also balanced by maintaining proper magnesium levels. It can be said, then, that magnesium is more important than these "Big Three."

Among the 350 bodily processes that magnesium activates are the production of energy, the process of digestion, the formation of bones, the function and relaxation of muscles, the utilization of the B vitamins, and the overall functioning of the heart, kidneys, adrenals and nervous system. Magnesium truly is a miracle!

Because magnesium plays an important role in the production of energy in each cell, it plays a role in the gross production energy. Thus, when magnesium levels are low, the body can't function optimally as there is insufficient energy to do its work.

Other diseases linked to deficiency of magnesium include diabetes, PMS, muscle disorders, stress, sleep disorders, headaches, blood sugar issues, blood pressure issues, calcium issues. And now it seems that heart disease is caused in large part by magnesium deficiency. Here's what Mildred Seelig, MD has to say about it:

"Most modern heart disease is caused by magnesium deficiency. A vast and convincing body of research, largely ignored, has convinced us and many of our colleagues of this fact." And it seems diet plays a big part of this. Dr. Seelig continues: "The diet of the industrial world is short on magnesium, and this is causing an epidemic of heart disease in the modern world."

The best way to cure the body is to regulate the body. And if 350 bodily processes are activated by, or are linked to, sufficient magnesium intake, than adding foods rich in this mineral will do much to regulate it. Here is a list of magnesium-rich foods and spices to add to your diet.

Spinach, kelp, squash, coriander seeds, ground basil, cooked turnip greens, dried pumpkin seeds, boiled mustard greens, steamed broccoli, raw cucumber, raw celery, boiled green snap string beans, ginger root, black beans, pinto beans, raw tofu, eggplant, kiwi, carrots, watermelon, cabbage, strawberries.

By just adding a few new items per day or per week, you can begin reaping the many benefits of balanced magnesium levels in your body. Enjoy!