Lower High Blood Pressure with Magnesium
Posted: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
by Lisa Nelson
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
If you have high blood pressure, your MD has probably discussed with you sodium, potassium, and calcium as part of your treatment plan; however, the role of magnesium is often overlooked.
Magnesium is a critical player in maintaining normal blood pressure levels, as well as muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, bone health, and immune system maintenance.
How Magnesium Regulates Blood Pressure
Magnesium is used in the production of prostaglandin E1, which is a powerful vasodilator. Typically, blood pressure rises as blood vessels harden and narrow, which causes the heart to exert increased force to circulate blood to body tissues. A vasodilator causes your blood vessels to relax and widen, allowing for easier blood flow and results in a lower blood pressure.
Magnesium also regulates the level of sodium, potassium, and calcium within cells. Sodium and potassium work together to maintain normal blood pressure levels and must be properly balanced. Too much sodium with too little potassium leads to high blood pressure, while the opposite – too little sodium with too much potassium – can result in low blood pressure. As far as calcium, individuals with adequate calcium levels tend to have lower blood pressures.
Research Findings
Research has shown an inverse relationship between magnesium and blood pressure. In other words, individuals with a high magnesium intake, typically have a low blood pressure. I'm not referring to supplements, but actual magnesium rich foods that provide 500-1000 mg of magnesium daily.
Supplemental magnesium of ~500 mg can effectively lower blood pressure. Some studies have found magnesium supplements to reduce systolic blood pressure 2.7 mm Hg and diastolic 3.4 mm Hg.
Magnesium Sources
Magnesium is readily available in foods, such as peas, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lima beans, squash, broccoli, spinach, and seafood. Assess your diet for sources of magnesium and make adjustments to maximize your dietary intake of this mineral, and then determine if a magnesium supplement is needed. Magnesium is most effective when calcium and potassium levels are adequate. For the best results, make sure your intake of all three minerals – calcium, potassium, and magnesium – are at ideal levels and follow a low sodium diet.
Always speak with your MD about any supplements you take. Oftentimes, a basic multivitamin will meet your mineral needs without adverse interactions with medications. Steer clear of mega doses!
Be sure to sign up for the free e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure at http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com today!
This Article has been viewed 103 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.