What are the benefits of Magnesium and why does our body need it?
551703
All the other answers are good -  as a physician I use it mainly for four reasons.  \n\n1.) Significantly helps control migraines (relaxes smooth muscles in the blood vessels)\n2.) Excellent for muscle relaxation (Calcium makes muscles contract - that is why they use Calcium channel blockers so often:  Magnesium helps the muscles relax)\n\nfor 1 & 2 I suggest starting at 400mg/day for one week and then up to 800mg over the next few weeks - decrease dosage if you get diarrhea.\n\n\n3.) Can be used as a laxative (think of milk of magnesium)\n\n4.) Help with blood sugar regulation in Type II diabetes patients.\n\n\nGreat book to get is:  "The Miracle of Magnesium"
282326
Magnesium oxide is the most common (because it is the cheapest to produce) form of supplementation for Magnesium.  \n\nMagnesium is a vital mineral (required) that is involved in the function of over 300 enzymes in the body (enzymes are the 'worker molecules' that make the chemical reactions work in your body).  It is necessary for energy production by the cells, for hormone synthesis and functions, and for the proper function of many other vitamins and minerals.  Deficiency is associated with a wide range of health problems including: hypertension, heart disease, migraine headaches, Alzheimer's, recurring bacterial infections, PMS, osteoporosis, mood swings, even some forms of cancer.\n\nAs for magnesium oxide, this is very poorly absorbed and should be avoided.  Better supplemental forms would include: magnesium citrate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate-malate.\n\nHope you find this helpful. Good luck and best wishes.
810145
depends what the magnesium is for. If this is for a chemical reaction, it's because copper is less reactive than magnesium (it's lower on the activity series list).
714952
THE ROLE OF NUTRIENTS IN HUMAN HEALTH - MINERALS \n\n(Foresight Article)\n\n\nCALCIUM\n\nCalcium is needed for the formation of strong bones and teeth, and for controlling blood clotting mechanisms and to regulate the excitability of nerves and muscles. Sufficient calcium is thought to protect against allergies, viruses and tooth decay.\n\nLack of calcium can cause rickets, back pain, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, insomnia, irritability, nervousness, tension, uneven heartbeat, indigestion, stomach cramps and spasms, constipation, pre-menstrual tension and cramping of the uterus.\n\nCalcium is lost from the bones during bedrest and with people on high-protein diets. Invalids and people on high-protein intakes should supplement with dolomite tablets or bone-meal, and increase dietary sources of calcium.\n\nCalcium can be used as a natural painkiller and some authorities advise taking calcium and Vitamin D in the week prior to menstruation, and at the onset of labour.\n\nCalcium is found in: \nMilk, Cheese, Bone broth, Green veg, Egg, Dolomite, Bone meal.\n\n\nMAGNESIUM\n\nMagnesium is needed for the production and transfer of energy, for muscle contraction, nerve excitability and protein synthesis. It also assists in the function of many enzymes. \n\nLack of magnesium brings involuntary muscle movements - gross tremor and twitching - convulsions and delirium. Insomnia, irregular heartbeat, leg and foot cramps and bedwetting can occur. Calcium deposits are found in the arteries and stones may form in the kidneys.\n\nMental symptoms include depression, poor memory, confusion, disorientation, hyperactivity, irritability, anxiety and an increased sensitivity to noise.\n\nProblems with the foetus include congenital abnormalities, calcium deposits and other abnormalities of the heart cells. The newborn may suffer anorexia, convulsions and perinatal death. \n\nOnly 20% of the magnesium is left in refined (white) flour, and only 17% is left in polished rice.\n\nMagnesium is found in: \nMilk, Eggs, Green veg, Seafood, Whole grains, Dolomite.\n\n\nPOTASSIUM\n\nPotassium is needed to regulate blood pH, keep the water balance, ensure the acidification of the urine, and help nerve conduction and muscle contractions.\n\nA shortage brings nervous irritability, mental disorientation, fatigue, listlessness, insomnia, muscle weakness, irregular pulse, constipation, cramping of muscles, low blood sugar and coma.\n\nA shortage can be induced by diuretics.\n\nPotassium is found in:\nWhole grains, Wheat germ, Soya flour, Nuts, All fresh fruit, All vegetables.\n\n\nCOPPER\n\nCopper aids the development of brain, bones, nerve and connective tissue.\n\nLack of copper can cause porous bones, loss of hair, demyelination, heart damage and anaemia.\n\nCopper deficiency in the foetus can result in depressed growth rate, depigmentation, anaemia, fine fragile bones, ataxia, small brain and perinatal mortality.\n\nCopper deficiency is rare however, and copper in excess can be toxic. Copper water pipes, especially new ones, or even old ones in areas where the water is soft and acid, may increase the copper load. Women who are on the contraceptive pill, some fertility drugs or are using the copper coil tend to accumulate copper. Copper jewellery and cooking utensils or kettles can also increase the copper load. The Foresight Clinicians advise hair analysis to check the copper level.\n\nOnly 37% of the copper is left in white flour, and only 75% in polished rice.\n\nCopper is found in:\nWhole grains, Liver, Kidney, Brain, Green veg, Mushrooms, Gelatin, Dried Yeast, Oysters, Nuts & Seeds.\n\n\nIRON\n\nIron is needed to make haemoglobin, the substance in the red blood cells which carries oxygen in the blood. It aids resistance to infection.\n\nShortage of iron can lead to weakness, shortage of breath, excessive fatigue, depression, mental confusion and poor memory.\n\nIron deficiency in the foetus can cause eye defects, bone defects, brain defects and neonatal mortali
113103
magnesium: 350-500 mg a day could cause diarrhea\nzinc: 300 mg a day may impair immune function. Zinc inhibits copper absorption\ncopper: unsafe levels unclear. 3 mg a day w/zinc is considered safe
146729
When any of your muscles jump, they are spasming.  There is a saying - if it spasms, feed it magnesium.  You have four major minerals in your body: calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium that need to be in balance.  Magnesium has a function in transmitting nerve impulses - I think of it like having insulation over an electrical wire - like the one to a light bulb.  Without the insulation (or with low magnesium) your nerve impulses jump around the room (or your body) and cause spasming.\n\nTake 500mg to 1000 mg magnesium at night and see if it helps.  It should also help relax you and help you to sleep better.
1148765
You could take vitamin supplements with magnesium, but I'm not sure. I'm not a doctor. Always make sure you ask your doctor... they'll know exactly what to do.\n\nI hope I helped a little bit. =P
624663
Its resources are stored mostly in the liver (and bones). This element regulates enzymes, which stimulate formation of the connective tissue and a pigment, protecting the skin. Copper participates also in the production of hemoglobin. It helps to absorb necessary iron effectively. Copper is important also for normal work of nervous system. When copper is lacking, people have higher cholesterol level, what is not good for health.
226065
The name originates from the Greek word for a district in Thessaly called Magnesia. Joseph Black in England recognized magnesium as being an element in 1755, Sir Humphry Davy electrolytically isolated pure magnesium metal in 1808 from a mix of magnesia and HgO, and A. A. B. Bussy prepared it in coherent form in 1831. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust. It is an alkaline earth metal and therefore does not occur uncombined with other elements. It is found in large deposits of magnesite, dolomite, and other minerals.
119663
Calcium is more active.  \nThe first answer is totally wrong.  \nCalcium is more active because it is found in period four, whereas magnesium is period three.  Because calcium is in a higher period further down the chart, it also has more electron levels.  That means that the two electrons that calcium loses when it reacts can be more easily lost than magnesium because there are more electrons in calcium shielding the pull of calcium's nucleus on those critical two outer electrons (valence electrons), decreasing the effective nuclear force of calcium's nucleus.
458866
You need to keep up with calcium.  Your body depletes it as you get older, so taking supplements and drinking milk etc can't hurt!  Without calcium your bones get brittle etc, so even if you have a good level now, you need to keep it good!.
667972
I know some essential benefits are to cleanse our body, free radical stress which has been accumulated in our body, regulate our body temperature, invigorates our organs and skin. It's good to use the steam every now and then to heighten our well-being and health!
1045661
Chlorophyll bears magnesium atom in the central position of the its aromatic ring structure. This magnesium  is released during the digestion of the green vegetables.  Chlorophyll is the main source of the magnesium in the human body.
570003
about the two are mentioned, both are found in the body, but the excess is dangerous with less amount of magnesium than aluminum. have you mentioned other?
1019467
Are you on antacids? Your stomach is where metals are broken down and absorbed so if you do not wave enough stomach acid magnesium, chromium will not be processed.
83425
An imbalance of the other major blood chemicals which are calcium, sodium and potassium.  If your potassium level is too low, your magnesium level can be elevated.  Potassium is available in potatoes and bananas.  Calcium is in milk and cheese and the small bones in tiny fish like sardines and anchovies.  Sodium is in salt.  They work together in your body and an imbalance in one can effect the absorption or elimination of the others.
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Calcium is essential for complex life.\n\nFirst of all, calcium is essential for our nervous system to operate properly. When an action potential reaches the end of an axon, it causes calcium to rush into the axon terminal. This stiumulates the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Without calcium, transmisson of signals in the nervous system would be impossible.\n\nSecond of all, calcium is essential for muscle contraction. When a muscle is stimulated to contract, calcium rushes out from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and binds to a molecule called troponin. This causes a conformational change in tropomyosin, which allows actin and mysin to bind and the muscle to contract. Without calcium, muscle contraction would be impossible.\n\nThird of all, calcium is essential for the formation of bone. Without the structure and support provided by bone, we wouldn't be much of anything.\n\nSo, calcium is most definately important for life, especially complex life.