MAGNESIUM

It is a mineral essential for good health. Most of it goes into bones and teeth; the rest into muscles and soft tissues. Magnesium is vital to the metabolism of Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats and activates more than three hundred different body enzymes, particularly those that require three B vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin and Pyridoxine), vitamins C and E. It also helps fight tooth decay by binding Calcium to tooth enamel.

Function

Deficiency Symptoms: Muscular weakness, twitching, convulsions, nausea, vomiting and runaway heartbeat. With magnesium so widely distributed in plants and animals, deficiencies are rare except in alcoholics, in cases of kidney disease, in diuretic abuse, after severe vomiting and/or diarrhea or in those whose intestines aren't absorbing nutrients properly.

Sources

Green vegetables, avocados, bananas, blackstrap molasses, chocolate, whole unprocessed grains, legumes, peanut butter, nuts and seeds.

Precautions

Too much magnesium can also cause trouble and, strangely, displays some of the deficiency symptoms — nausea and vomiting. But there may also be low blood pressure, sleepiness of almost drugged intensity and paralysis of the voluntary muscles.