Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Basically, it's pretty important, yet according to studies, 50% to 80% of adults in the United States lack sufficient intake of Magnesium. There is concern that many people may not have enough body stores of magnesium because dietary intake may not be high enough. Having enough body stores of magnesium may be protective against disorders such as cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Magnesium is a kind of catalyst that helps other vitamins to absorb into your system. Individuals with chronically low blood levels of potassium and calcium may have an underlying problem with magnesium deficiency. The health status of the digestive system and the kidneys significantly influence magnesium status. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. Gastrointestinal disorders that impair absorption such as Crohn's disease can limit the body's ability to absorb magnesium.

Some studies have concerns that excess Magnesium from supplements may be difficult for kidneys to excrete, thus making it important to get Magnesium by dietary intake from the foods you eat. That old saying, "you are what you eat" has a lot of truth.

Eating nutritiously dense food can be your best defense against many ailments, as well as the fuel to fight health issues. Poor eating can actually be the cause of your illness and can keep your body from healing. Obesity or excessive weight In itself can be the underlying factor to many health problems.

Individuals with chronic malabsorptive problems such as Crohn's disease, gluten sensitive encephalopathy, regional enteritis, and intestinal surgery may have difficulty absorbing Magnesium. To compound the problem, these disorders can deplete the body's stores of magnesium and In extreme cases may result in magnesium deficiency. Chronic or excessive vomiting and diarrhea may also result in magnesium depletion. Is it the lack of Magnesium that is causing these diseases; or is it the disease that is causing the lack of Magnesium? What was first, the chicken or the egg?

When a person's body has reached this point in the disease, it is truly a battle. While Chemotherapy may be ridding your body of cancer, it may also rid you of the much needed Magnesium which is responsible for aiding in so many body functions. Other medicines may result in magnesium deficiency too, including certain diuretics, antibiotics, and medications used to treat cancer (anti-neoplastic medication). Examples of these medications are Diuretics - Lasix, Burnex, Edecrin, and hydrochlorothiazide; Antibiotics - Gentarnicin, and Amphotericin; Antkneoplastic medication - Cisplatin.

Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, brain seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur. Severe magnesium deficiency can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypccatcernia) and low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokaleme).

Working on nutrition to stay ahead of the game can be your best defense. Darker green vegetables, such as spinach are a good source of magnesium. Some legumes (beans and peas), nuts and seeds, and whole, unrefined grains are also good sources of magnesium. One of the most outstanding food sources for Magnesium is the hemp seed. The hemp seed is one of Mother Nature's most perfect foods. The seed can be eaten whole or hulled. Hemp flour comes from the milled seed and can be used for baking or eaten as a raw food In a smoothie.

Eating Cousin Mary Jane's hemp foods daily will help you get the Magnesium your body needs!

Reasonable care has been taken in preparing this article and the information provided herein is believed to be accurate. However, this information Is not intended to constitute an "authoritative statement" under Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations. If you have been prescribed medication that you feel may be depleting your body of Magnesium or if you have been advised to take a Magnesium supplement by your doctor, please consult with them prior to attempting to self-medicate and discuss with your doctor or nutritionist what is best for your particular situation.

Eat Hemp and You Eat healthy!

To Your Good Health,

Cousin Mary Jane