Magnesium and Heart Health

It being the Valentine’s season, let’s explore a vital nutrient for heart health: Magnesium. As the 4th most abundant mineral in the body, Magnesium plays a crucial role in a variety of bodily functions from DNA and energy production, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and maintaining a healthy blood pressure, among others. 

Maintaining these functions requires adequate dietary intake of Magnesium, something that many Americans struggle to achieve. Studies have shown that getting enough magnesium from your diet can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and other risk factors like Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome and inflammation.

 While higher intake of magnesium from both supplements and food sources are considered to be cardioprotective, food sources will have a greater variety of nutrients in addition to Magnesium. Good sources of magnesium include:

• Nuts and seeds

• Legumes

• Leafy greens

• Parmesan cheese

• Whole grains

• Fish