It Stands the Test of Time: Magnesium as a Treatment of High Blood Pressure

There has been much research done and the results are undeniable: magnesium deficiency leads to high blood pressure. Because the modern U.S. diet lacks magnesium, most Americans are unknowingly deficient in this important mineral. As countless studies have shown, it helps to take magnesium supplements daily for the treatment of high blood pressure symptoms, and to help gradually lower blood pressure (BP) numbers. Magnesium can also be taken as a rejuvenating, hypertension-preventative measure.

Many studies have shown that as well as reducing high blood pressure symptoms, taking magnesium also reduces the risk of heart attack significantly. One study showed that giving magnesium soon after a heart attack reduced heart muscle damage and prevented hypertension and arrhythmia. Other studies indicated that chances of survival from acute coronary thrombosis improve many times over if magnesium is given in the first 24 hours after the event.

Besides providing support for the treatment of high blood pressure symptoms, intake of adequate magnesium prevents stroke. Hypertension is the primary risk factor of stroke - the third leading cause of death in the U.S. - and that makes magnesium a lifesaving natural treatment for high blood pressure.

Magnesium is used by the body in enzyme reactions and for maintaining cellular health, especially in the brain, nervous system, teeth and bones. It also helps fight infection. It regulates muscular function, including cardiac muscle. In Japan, a study indicates that magnesium may be involved in relaxing blood vessels, which lowers BP numbers and effectively treats high blood pressure symptoms.

Why is magnesium so important?

The risk factors associated with hypertension are:

• Aging
• Being overweight
• Too much salt
• Too much alcohol
• Not enough exercise
• Too little potassium and calcium
• Not enough magnesium.

Except for aging, these risk factors are all within the hypertensive patient's control. The only patients who shouldn't take magnesium for the treatment of high blood pressure are those with kidney disease or severe heart disease (unless under direct care of a physician).

Tips for taking magnesium as a natural treatment for high blood pressure symptoms.

1. Magnesium is found in leafy greens such as spinach, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy, legumes, peanut butter, and certain fruits; it is also found in supplements.

2.A low-salt diet that contains enough magnesium, potassium and calcium is advisable for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. However, a recent study in found that dietary magnesium may not enough to be consistently effective in reducing high blood pressure symptoms, and that supplementation was probably needed in most cases.

3.Often, prescription medications for high blood pressure symptoms are diuretic, which causes magnesium levels to drop as the mineral is lost through excess urination. If you take prescription diuretics, also take magnesium supplements for the treatment of high blood pressure.

4.Magnesium supplementation ensures a steady dosage of this mineral.

Magnesium also helps the body store potassium, another mineral needed to prevent hypertension. If the diet does not contain enough potassium, which is quite common, and especially if diuretics are taken, taking magnesium as high blood pressure treatment is even more important.

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Magnesium has been prescribed as a high blood pressure treatment for decades. It is one of the few natural high blood pressure treatments that has been thoroughly studied. Therefore, doctors are quite familiar with its efficacy. If you suffer from high blood pressure symptoms then you need this mineral! Take magnesium: a time-tested, safe, treatment of high blood pressure.