> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Magnesium and health
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/magnesium_and_overall_health_0629131143/
- Published: 2013-06-30T00:42:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:05:34.000Z
- Description: A review in Advances in Nutrition notes magnesium takes part in more than 300 metabolic reactions, and that low intake or deficiency can figure in migraine, Alzheimer's, stroke, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Whole grains, nuts and greens are rich sources.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Minerals, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Saturday June 29, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A review article in Advances in Nutrition again reminds readers of the importance of magnesium, a micronutrient or mineral everyone needs for overall health and disease prevention.

In the review, S. L. Volpe from College of Nursing and Health Professions Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA reports that magnesium, the fourth most abundant mineral, is involved in more than 300 metabolic reactions in the body.

Magnesium as a cofactor plays a role in some processes including protein synthesis, cellular energy production and storage, reproduction, DNA/RNA synthesis and stabilization of mitochondrial membranes, the author writes.

Magnesium also plays an essential role in "nerve transmission, cardiac excitability, neuromuscular conduction, muscular contraction, vasomotor tone, blood pressure, and glucose and insulin metabolism."

Because of its role in disease prevention and overall health, low magnesium intake or magnesium deficiency can cause some chronic diseases such as migraine headaches, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular events (stroke), hypertension or high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2.

Magnesium rich foods include whole grains, bran cereal, oat bran, shredded wheat, brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, lima beans, spinach, Swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, collard greens, turnip greens, blackstrap molasses, green beans, sea vegetables, and mustard greens among others.

Those who do not have access to these magnesium rich foods may consider using magnesium supplementation such as magnesium sulfate.

Magnesium deficiency can result from gastrointestinal disorders such as prolonged diarrhea, Crohn's disease, malabsorption syndrome, celiac disease, intestinal inflammation, renal disorders, diabetes mellitus, and chronic alcoholism.

Magnesium is known to prevent hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. The mineral can also be used to treat multiple diseases including hypertension, preeclampsia-eclampsiaheart atack or myocardial infarction, endothelial dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, and asthma.