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Magnesium

Magnesium is an "essential mineral. Approximately 25 grams are present in an adult. Half of that amount is contained in the bones with the remainder found in the various soft tissues throughout the body. Some of the locations where the highest concentrations are found are in; the muscles (including the heart), the skeletal muscles, the liver and the pancreas. It is a key element for cellular metabolism. lt assists the body in stimulating the many enzyme reactions which must occur.

Yet emotional stress and alcohol consumption are just two of the many ways in which we can lose this mineral. Physical exertion such as Skiing, bicycling, running and etc. are other ways in which a loss can occur. Pregnant women or breast feeding mothers, infants, and individuals on certain medications are often vulnerable to a shortage of this critical mineral.

Some of the bodys symptoms which might be indicative of a shortage could be associated with some of the following;

Magnesium is needed to be in a relative balanced proportion to Calcium, or could trigger other symptoms and problems (that's another column).

The adrenal gland secretes a hormone called aldosterone, and this hormone adjusts the rate at which magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. Losses tend to increase with the use of diuretics and with the consumption of alcohol, as stated earlier on.

Magnesium can be found in Milk, figs, fresh greens, Fish and Seafoods. Also in tofu, blackstrap molasses, apples, kelp, soybeans, wheat germ, oatmeal, apricots and brewers' yeast.