Interesting Facts about Magnesium

Magnesium is the most abundant element found in the Earth's crust. It is represented by the chemical symbol, 'Mg'. Its atomic number is 12 and atomic weight is 24.305. It was discovered by Joseph Black in the year 1755 and isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808.

Magnesium is used in pyrotechnic and incendiary devices, flashlight photography, flares, and incendiary bombs. Its chloride, hydroxide, citrate, and sulfate forms are used in medicine. Magnesium is among the most essential minerals required by the human body.

The body of an adult human being contains about 24 grams of magnesium, of which, half is found in the bones and the remaining is present in the cells and tissues. It is present in the form of ions in living cells.

Following are some random interesting facts about magnesium that you may find useful. Read along to enrich your knowledge about the 8th most abundant element found in the Earth's crust.

• Apart from being the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, magnesium also ranks as the 4th most abundant mineral found in the human body and the 9th most abundant element in the entire universe!

• Many health and lifestyle studies have revealed that a typical American meal is moderately deficient in magnesium. This should cause some concern as magnesium is among the six chief minerals that the body requires in significant quantities to stay healthy.

The other five major minerals required by the body in large amounts are calcium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, and phosphorus.

• Of all the magnesium that we consume via food and supplements, less than 50% is actually absorbed by our bodies.
• Magnesium is the 5th most abundant element found in the Earth's oceans.

• On first isolating it from magnesium oxide, Sir Humphry Davy had named this element "Magnium".
• Magnesium can be burned in the pure forms of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

• If you are fond of adding bath salts to your bathing water and are partial towards Epsom salt for this purpose, then you are no stranger to magnesium. After all, what the geek knows as "magnesium sulfate" is what the layman calls "Epsom salt"!

• Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal. Alkaline earth metals are a group of shiny, silvery, reactive chemical elements that have a tendency of getting easily absorbed by living organisms. This same group contains the radioactive elements radium and strontium, which, when absorbed by living tissues, prove toxic, even fatal, to the organism.

• The most common form of supplement in which magnesium is available is magnesium oxide.

• Magnesium, in both metal and alloy form, is a highly flammable element. When burning, magnesium reacts dangerously with water by reducing the latter into hydrogen gas, which is also flammable. Therefore, water should NEVER be used in an attempt to extinguish a fire started by burning or molten magnesium!

Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biological processes and a variety of functions in the human body. It is used by the living cells to process and replenish energy. Magnesium is important for a healthy immune system, strong bones and teeth, and the normal functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems.

It plays a significant role in muscle relaxation, as well as in protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium is vital for regulating blood pressure and maintaining cardiac health. Magnesium is helpful in the treatment of various ailments like osteoporosis, insomnia, constipation, asthma, herpes, premenstrual syndrome, and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

The daily requirement of magnesium for adult males is about 420 mg and approximately 320 mg for adult females. Athletes need to maintain adequate levels of magnesium in the body, so that the muscle tissues get sufficient amounts of oxygen.

A deficiency of magnesium can affect several body organs, leading to various health problems. Magnesium is primarily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and transported to the cells via blood. Magnesium deficiency is mainly caused due to the diseases related to the digestive system.

Some other reasons for magnesium deficiency are poor dietary magnesium intake, excess excretion of magnesium through urine, and certain consumption of certain medicines like diuretics, antibiotics, and drugs used in cancer treatment.

Magnesium deficiency affects the absorption of calcium in the body, which in turn causes calcium deficiency. This increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Magnesium deficiency is associated with a number of health conditions including muscle spasms, muscle weakness, softened bones, abnormal blood sugar levels, hyperthyroidism, rapid heartbeats, renal diseases, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, and loss of appetite.

In order to prevent these problems, you need to maintain adequate magnesium levels in your body. There are several food sources that contain large amounts of magnesium.

A balanced and healthy diet is recommended to avoid magnesium deficiency and maintain good overall health. Some rich sources of magnesium are vegetables like broccoli, peas, beans, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables like spinach, legumes, whole grains, nuts like cashews and almonds, and seeds like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.

Various fruits like bananas, artichoke, and figs are also rich in magnesium. Other good sources of magnesium are dairy products, meat, and fish like tuna and halibut.

If you are not getting adequate amounts of magnesium through your diet, then it is advisable to take magnesium supplements combined with calcium. However, do consult your physician before you start popping any kind of pills, including and not restricted to dietary supplements.

Knowing these facts about magnesium, you must have realized the necessity of magnesium for the proper functioning of the human body. So, include sufficient quantities of magnesium-rich food items in your daily diet for the sake of health and wellness.