20 February 2012
According to a newly published literature review, magnesium supplements may offer small but clinically significant reductions in blood pressure.
To evaluate the effect of magnesium on blood pressure, the meta-analysis included data from 22 trials invol-ving 1,173 participants (1). Daily magnesium supplementation ranged from 120 to 973 mg in trials that lasted between three and 24 weeks. The overall data indicated that magnesium supplementation was associated with a 3 to 4 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 2-3 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure, with the best results observed for doses over 370 mg per day.
The researchers commented that magnesium supplementation appears to achieve a small but clinically significant reduction in blood pressure, which is worth investigating in future prospective large randomized controlled trials.
Hypertension, which characterizes having a systolic and diastolic blood pressure over 140 and 90 mmHg, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, causing almost 50% of the deaths in Europe. Data from phar-maceutical trials has revealed that a reduction in systolic blood pressure of between 0.8 and 2 mmHg was clinically significant in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Another recent study, based on data pooled from seven prospective studies, revealed that the risk of stroke was reduced by about 9% for every daily 100 mg increase in magnesium intake (2).
25 May 2011
Despite many reports to the contrary, German experts have come to the conclusion that older people, young women and children from low-income families often suffer from deficiencies of micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, folic acid, vitamin E, zinc and selenium.
1 February 2011
The human brain monitors and regulates the body’s actions and reactions. It continuously receives sensory information, rapidly analyzes this data and then responds, controlling bodily actions and functions. While one part of the brain controls processes that are independent of conscious brain functions (e.g., breathing and heart rate), others are responsible for the coordination of movement or complex thinking processes such as learning and memory.
12 September 2014
According to a new review from the UK, vitamin D supplementation can increase upper and lower limb strength.
