Sometimes we overlook simple things, such as the importance of magnesium (Mg). Magnesium is important not only for maintaining good health but when Mg is low it can contribute to the symptoms that trigger a variety of complaints. For instance, low Mg levels have been implicated in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, hypertension, atherosclerotic vascular disease, sudden cardiac death, osteoporosis, migraine headache, asthma, depression and colon cancer. Yikes! Therefore, optimizing levels of magnesium levels may improve many conditions. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Mg is 320 mg/day in women and 420 mg/day in men. However, almost half (48%) of the US population consumes less than the required amount of magnesium. Food sources of Mg include spinach, mustard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens, figs, black beans and navy beans, seeds from sunflowers, pumpkins and flax, and mineralized hard water. Supplementation to replenish magnesium levels is also an option.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22364157
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23709453
