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Magnesium supplementation helps well against hypertension
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can weaken or damage the blood vessels in our brain and even lead to a stroke. In addition, high blood pressure can also damage the heart and other organs in our body. Researchers have now found that a sufficient amount of magnesium can be beneficial to our blood pressure. In the future, magnesium could contribute to fewer strokes.
It has been known for a long time that uncontrolled high blood pressure is bad for our body and can even lead to damage to the organs. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Public Health have now discovered in an investigation that the mineral magnesium can help maintain healthy blood pressure. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Hypertension".
High blood pressure can harm our health. Physicians were looking for new ways to lower blood pressure. They found that daily intake of magnesium can help those affected. (Image: Kurhan / fotolia.com) Researchers analyze data from 34 clinical trials
For their new study, Indiana University School of Public Health experts analyzed data from 34 clinical trials. More than 2,000 people were involved in these, explains author Yiqing Song. The physicians tried to determine the effects of the daily intake of magnesium on blood pressure. Magnesium is important to our body because it regulates various activities of our muscles and nerves. Experts warned previously: Magnesium deficiency can be deadly.
Experts are investigating impact of high doses of magnesium daily
The dosage of preparations containing magnesium was between 240 and 960 milligrams per day. These figures often exceed the maximum intake of magnesium in adults as suggested by the US Department of Health, the physicians explain. These suggest that women between 310 and 320 milligrams and men should take 400 to 420 milligrams of magnesium per day.
Magnesium can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure
The researchers found a small but significant correlation between magnesium intake and healthy blood pressure drop during their study. An intake of 368 milligrams of magnesium over a period of about three months, leads to a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 2 mmHG and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 1.78 mmHG, the authors explain. As an alternative to magnesium, natural medicine can also help with high blood pressure. For example, it is known that hot chillies can lower high blood pressure.
Already 300 milligrams of magnesium a day lower blood pressure
The one-month daily intake of 300 milligrams of magnesium was already enough to increase the magnesium level in the blood and lower blood pressure. Higher levels of magnesium in the blood led to improved blood flow, a factor associated with lowered blood pressure, the researchers say. These findings also support another study in which the Mexican authors suggested that magnesium deficiency in children could lead to high blood pressure.
Hypertension patients could benefit from magnesium
Magnesium supplements could be considered as an option to lower blood pressure in high-risk individuals or hypertensive patients, say the authors. However, further well-designed studies are needed to achieve optimal treatment with magnesium. Scientists suspect that the benefits of magnesium on our blood pressure are only applicable to people with magnesium deficiency or insufficiency. (As)