Archive for the ‘mineral’ tag
Vitamins and magnesium supplements
Zinc is a vital mineral required for the body. Many people may not realize the importance of this mineral hence let us focus on zinc supplements. Zinc helps in developing immunity and fighting against various diseases. During pregnancy zinc intake should be more in women. Multivitamin tablets are good sources of zinc.
Some people swear by the leaves of feverfew, eating one per day which is easy way to take it. It is important, however, that you do so regularly, since it can take for up to 6 to 8 weeks for you to notice a reduction in your attacks. Don’t give up after 5 or 6 weeks, but continue, since the results will be well worth it. If you stop for a week or two you will have to start all over again. You might get a sore mouth and perhaps mouth ulcers to start with, but these will eventually go once your body is used to it.
Riboflavin, vitamin B 2, is also believed to useful in reducing the duration and frequency of migraine attacks, working in much the same way as magnesium. It is known that there are many cases of people who suffer from vitamin B 2 deficiency also suffering from migraines, and a riboflavin supplement is also worth trying if you are a consistent victim of this condition.
Patients with osteoporosis can be at risk due to the deficiency of magnesium in their bodies. Magnesium controls the metabolic activity of calcium and those hormones responsible for controlling calcium. It has been noted that magnesium supplements can increase the mineral density in bones. For all those who suffer from hypertension, magnesium supplements can help them to deal with it. In addition, healthy and balanced diet containing magnesium will help to deal with magnesium deficiency.
Green leafy vegetables, meat, etc are good sources of magnesium. Such foods are normally high in fibers and potassium, which are also good for health. Magnesium also helps in controlling the levels of insulin so it is good for patients with diabetes. It regulates insulin level in the body, which helps in controlling the blood sugar level.
It is not easy to live with a migraine since it can be completely debilitating. Some just have a severe headache, while others are affected for days at a time. The headache can become before and after the onset of the shimmering lights and other optical effects that are generated by the brain.
If your migraine is at the front of the head, then you should try ginger. Unlike feverfew, ginger works on a migraine as it is occurring, and improvement can be achieved for a bad migraine within half an hour. In fact if, like many people, you can feel a migraine coming on, half a teaspoon of freshly ground ginger can stop the pain before it starts.
However, particularly high dose of magnesium can lead to nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure and many other unpleasant side effects, so do not take more than the RDA (recommended daily allowance) in your supplement.
All vitamins are vital for our health. However, we will focus on Vitamin D supplements and their benefits. The easiest way to obtain Vitamin D is exposure to the sun. Vitamin D controls the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the blood. Deficiency of this vitamin may cause rickets, liver and kidney diseases.
Fish oils, cod liver oils are the best sources of Vitamin D. Therefore, seafood eaters won’t have to worry about this deficiency. In some countries, all dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D so that the risk of its deficiency is less. Vitamin D supplements play an important role in reducing cancer since its intake kills cancer cells.
Dietary Sources of Magnesium
Green vegetables are a valuable source of magnesium. The center of the chlorophyll molecule, which gives green vegetables their color, are rich in magnesium. You can also obtain dietary magnesium thorugh beans and peas, nuts and seeds, and whole grains. Understand that processing and storage decreases the nutritional value of any food, so while a processed food may contain the ingredients, the act of processing may strip those foods of some or all of their value.
You may obtain some of your magnesium through water, but that will vary depending on the source of your water. Tap water can be from a number of sources, from treatment plants, wells, or springs. The type of water also varies: “hard” water contains more minerals, such as magnesium, than “soft” water.
The following table is a reproduction of charts available through the Office of Dietary Supplements:
Table 1: Selected food sources of magnesium
|
FOOD |
Milligrams (mg) |
%DV* |
|
Halibut, cooked, 3 ounces |
90 |
20 |
|
Almonds, dry roasted, 1 ounce |
80 |
20 |
|
Cashews, dry roasted, 1 ounce |
75 |
20 |
|
Soybeans, mature, cooked, ½ cup |
75 |
20 |
|
Spinach, frozen, cooked, ½ cup |
75 |
20 |
|
Nuts, mixed, dry roasted, 1 ounce |
65 |
15 |
|
Cereal, shredded wheat, 2 rectangular biscuits |
55 |
15 |
|
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, prepared w/ water, 1 cup |
55 |
15 |
|
Potato, baked w/ skin, 1 medium |
50 |
15 |
|
Peanuts, dry roasted, 1 ounce |
50 |
15 |
|
Peanut butter, smooth, 2 Tablespoons |
50 |
15 |
|
Wheat Bran, crude, 2 Tablespoons |
45 |
10 |
|
Blackeyed Peas, cooked, ½ cup |
45 |
10 |
|
Yogurt, plain, skim milk, 8 fluid ounces |
45 |
10 |
|
Bran Flakes, ¾ cup |
40 |
10 |
|
Vegetarian Baked Beans, ½ cup |
40 |
10 |
|
Rice, brown, long-grained, cooked, ½ cup |
40 |
10 |
|
Lentils, mature seeds, cooked, ½ cup |
35 |
8 |
|
Avocado, California, ½ cup pureed |
35 |
8 |
|
Kidney Beans, canned, ½ cup |
35 |
8 |
|
Pinto Beans, cooked, ½ cup |
35 |
8 |
|
Wheat Germ, crude, 2 Tablespoons |
35 |
8 |
|
Chocolate milk, 1 cup |
33 |
8 |
|
Banana, raw, 1 medium |
30 |
8 |
|
Milk Chocolate candy bar, 1.5 ounce bar |
28 |
8 |
|
Milk, reduced fat (2%) or fat free, 1 cup |
27 |
8 |
|
Bread, whole wheat, commercially prepared, 1 slice |
25 |
6 |
|
Raisins, seedless, ¼ cup packed |
25 |
6 |
|
Whole Milk, 1 cup |
24 |
6 |
|
Chocolate Pudding, 4 ounce ready-to-eat portion |
24 |
6 |
