HEALTHY LIVING


Vital Nutrient for Heart Health


Magnesium may be the most important, and most overlooked, weapon against cardiac disease. ::


BY DAVID ALLIOT I


t’s become the bedrock of wholesome heart health: Eat right. Watch your weight. Exercise daily.


But what you may not know is


that key minerals — ones you may be missing — also play a crucial role in your overall heart health. And magnesium may be the


most important . . . and most often overlooked. There’s a unique connection


between magnesium and your heart. In fact, nearly half of U.S. adults don’t consume enough magnesium, and that lack can affect the heart negatively, according to the National Institutes of Health. “Scientists researched the link


between magnesium intake and heart failure in a cohort from the Women’s Health Initiative,” says David Brownstein, M.D., a board- certified family physician and medical director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan. “They found that low magnesium


intake was associated with an 81% increase in heart failure,” says Brownstein, who is also the author and editor of Dr. David Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health newsletter. Magnesium is a critical


electrolyte. Electrolytes are responsible for nerve signals from vital organs like your heart and brain. And nerves control the muscle contractions of your heart.


90 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | AUGUST 2024 Magnesium also maintains


proper cell membrane function, keying in on the mitochondria of all cells as it plays a crucial role in your body’s antioxidative pathways, according to the NIH. Small wonder, then, that low magnesium levels are routinely found in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat.


Although it’s found in many foods, getting enough of this critical mineral eludes most people. You can get magnesium from


the foods you eat, so stock up on salmon, nuts, spinach, beans, and seeds. Unfortunately, your diet often


falls short of the right foods, and when there’s a shortage of magnesium, this can lead to: Fatigue


Headaches Muscle cramps Anxiety or depression Restless legs syndrome Constipation


In a new study of people


who were magnesium deficient, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, researchers found that “having a higher magnesium depletion score (MDS)


independently predicts an elevated mortality risk in U.S. patients with hypertension.” That can lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease.


TYPES OF MAGNESIUM Magnesium comes in many forms: magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium malate, and magnesium sulphate, to name a few. Magnesium malate is widely


accepted as one of the best due to its increased absorption benefits over other forms. Magnesium malate is a compound


made with malic acid combined with magnesium. Although it’s found in many


foods, getting enough of this critical mineral eludes most people. The best way to ensure you’re


getting adequate amounts is through a quality supplement. “Magnesium is woefully deficient


in most people’s diet,” Brownstein says. “I have been recommending magnesium supplements for more than 25 years.” Many healthcare professionals


recommend at least 400 mg per day. Of course, there’s no single silver


bullet that will protect your heart — the engine that beats around 100,000 times each day. Talk to your doctor — who no doubt


will be impressed that you’re taking control of your heart health to ensure it keeps the beat for a lifetime.


FOOD/ANTONINA VLASOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK / WOMAN/APOMARES©ISTOCK


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