Do you really need to take magnesium supplements?

Magnesium supplements are readily available for consumption in a variety of forms and are generally sold in a form of magnesium oil. It is also possible to make up your own magnesium supplement by using magnesium flakes to make up a solution. Magnesium supplements can be an effective way to address magnesium deficiencies in the diet.

Why is Magnesium considered essential

Magnesium is an essential nutrient required by the body. Once the body has received sufficient magnesium nourishment, there is little to be gained from taking magnesium supplements. The amount of magnesium required per day will differ according to age. Adult males require 400-420 milligrams of magnesium per day, adult females around 350 milligrams and pregnant females about 400 milligrams. Children require much less. A child aged between 9 and 13 should be getting about 200 milligrams of magnesium per day.

Magnesium deficiency can be attributed to such symptoms as -:

• Muscle twitching, tremors and muscle cramping. Magnesium supplements may help to reduce these symptoms only if you are magnesium deficient
• Mental disorders such as apathy and lack of emotion
• Lower blood levels of calcium which can lead to weaker bone structure and osteoporosis
• Fatigue and muscle weakness when present with other symptoms described may indicate health deficiency
• Higher blood pressure
• Has been associated with asthma
• An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) which could lead to more serious complications like stroke or heart attack.

People will take magnesium supplements to combat any of these deficiencies. Magnesium chloride flakes are also a popular choice for consumers. Groups of people most likely to suffer magnesium deficiency are people suffering from diabetes, diarrhea, celiac disease, alcoholism and a condition known as hungry bone syndrome.

How to get your daily Magnesium needs

The best way to get your daily magnesium intake is to change your diet to include some naturally magnesium rich foods. There is a wide range of magnesium rich foods including seeds and nuts, leafy green vegetables, cocoa, coffee and oats.

If you are unable to get your regular daily intake through a change of diet, then you may need to take magnesium supplements to boost your intake. Generally, the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are general in nature and are hard to attribute to magnesium deficiency unless the deficiency is extremely low.

If you are suffering from these symptoms and suspect that you may have a magnesium deficiency, you can confirm your suspicions by consulting your doctor who will be able to perform a simple blood test. Whatever the case, the best course of action to increase your magnesium intake is to improve your diet.