Magnesium has many functions, but its main function is to regulate reactions that happen …show more content…
Examples of this may be hypertension. During a large clinical trial, it was determined that magnesium supplementation lowers blood pressure. An increase in magnesium serum levels decreases a risk in cardiovascular disease and stroke. Another example would be Type 2 Diabetes; another clinical trial was done which determined that an increased amount of magnesium will lower the risk of diabetes. Because magnesium plays such an important role in glucose metabolism, it has a big impact on diabetes. The reason for this is due to an increase in urinary loss of magnesium which will impair the insulin secretion that is required. Another example of an illness due to low intakes of magnesium, would be osteoporosis. This can be defined as bones becoming brittle and fragile. Since magnesium is involved in bone formation, studies have shown a positive relation between magnesium intake and bone mineral density. A last example would be that low intakes of magnesium can also result in migraines or headaches. Studies have shown that taking magnesium two times a day with medication can prevent migraines or headaches. Magnesium toxicity can be defined as large taking large doses of magnesium. These doses could contain laxatives and antacids. Symptoms of magnesium toxicity are hypotension, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, and retention of urine, lethargy, and even depression. If this is not treated it can later result in weakness, a difficulty breathing, chronic and extreme hypotension, an irregular heartbeat, or even cardiac arrest. The risk of magnesium toxicity can significantly increase with a renal dysfunction or kidney failure due to the fact that these help with the process of the removal of excess