Saturday, April 14, 2012

Magnesium Linked to Stroke Prevention

Magnesium plays a vital role in the body that often goes unnoticed. It supports normal energy release, regulation of the body temperature, nerve function, adaptation to stress and metabolism. Also, it supports the body’s ability to build healthy bones and teeth and develop muscles. It works together with calcium and vitamin D to help keep bones strong. Magnesium, when combined with calcium, helps support the heart muscle, helps maintain a regular heartbeat and helps maintain normal blood pressure. In addition to these benefits, magnesium is now thought to play a role in reducing the risk of stroke.

According to a Swedish meta-analysis of seven studies that included over 240,000 total participants, dietary magnesium intake is inversely related to risk of stroke. Diet is known to have an impact on a person’s risk of stroke, and recent research has shown that the average diet is magnesium deficient. According to Susanna Larsson, who led the analysis, “We observed a modest but statistically significant inverse association between magnesium intake and risk of stroke. An intake increment of 100 mg Mg/day was associated with an 8% reduction in risk of total stroke.” The researchers remarked that several explanation for magnesium’s stroke risk reduction were possible, including its blood pressure lowering effect and its role in reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes.

Magnesium is available in a variety of foods and supplements and provides many useful benefits to our bodies, including stroke prevention, but not limited to it. Considering that the majority of us are likely to be magnesium deficient, increasing magnesium intake might prove a surprisingly simple health strategy.

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