I didn’t have any official “Ask the Dietitian”  questions today, but recently I was asked about magnesium, so I thought I would share some basic information. Magnesium is an important mineral that exists in your body in significant amounts. It helps maintain healthy bones and a healthy heart. It also is an important part of enzymes that help your body produce energy, body protein, and muscle contractions. So you can see that it has some very important roles to play.

It is recommended that adults consume between 300 – 400 milligrams of magnesium per day. You can find magnesium in green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

One of my professors specialized her research in magnesium, so on our essay exams, you can bet that magnesium always found a way into every answer. You will understand why when you check out this long list of diseases that are treated with magnesium.

• Constipation
• Acid indigestion
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Bad cholesterol
• ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder)
• Anxiety
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Lyme disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Leg cramps during pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Kidney stones
• Migraine Headaches
• Weak bones (osteoporosis)
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Altitude sickness
• Urinary incontinence
• Restless leg syndrome
• Asthma
• Hayfever
• Multiple sclerosis
• Skin infections

With all this being said, please consult your physician to decide the best treatment plan for you. This information is not meant to replace your physician. Do make sure you are consuming a healthy diet that includes magnesium rich foods. If you think you don’t consume enough magnesium rich foods in your diet, check with your physician before you start supplementing with magnesium.