Los numerosos beneficios del magnesio

En este artículo:

¿Qué es el magnesio?

El magnesio tiene muchos beneficios. "El magnesio es un nutriente esencial para la salud humana", dice la nutricionista y fisióloga del ejercicio Stella Volpe, PhD, jefa del Departamento de Nutrición Humana, Alimentos y Ejercicio en Virginia Tech. "Es importante para casi todas las funciones y los tejidos del cuerpo". Yet, as much as half of all Americans may have a magnesium-deficient diet.

Found naturally in many foods and in some antacids and laxatives, and available as a supplement, magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzyme systems in the body. Magnesium is important for regulating processes in the body. It's also used to generate energy, regulate blood pressure and support a healthy immune system. More than half of the magnesium in our body is stored in bones with the remaining amount in various tissues throughout the body.

¿Cuánto magnesio se recomienda por día?

Want to know how much magnesium is recommended per day? The recommended dietary allowance for adults ages 19 and older is 400 to 420 milligrams (mg) daily for men and 310 to 320 mg for women. Pregnant people require about 350 to 400 mg daily depending on the individual's age.

¿Qué hace el magnesio?

¿Para qué es bueno el magnesio? Studies suggest that the mineral may play a role in several functions.

One 2021 study review in the journal Nutrients found that consumption of the recommended amount of magnesium was associated with a 34 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to a lower amount. Several other small studies have shown that magnesium may reduce the frequency of or help prevent migraines in patients who are deficient in magnesium and when taken at appropriate doses.

In addition, magnesium may help people with mild and moderate tension-type headaches and cluster headaches. However, it is important to talk with a health care provider before starting or stopping any supplement.

¿Por qué no obtenemos suficiente magnesio?

Even though there are plenty of magnesium-rich foods, more than half of Americans may be at risk of not getting enough of the nutrient from their diet. One reason may be that the highly processed foods that many people live on lack sufficient magnesium.

In addition to dietary factors, “… an ever-increasing number of people are on a variety of medications, and some can lead to magnesium loss," says Volpe. A few such medications include some diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide, acid blockers like omeprazole or other drugs like digoxin. Moreover, the body’s intake or absorption of magnesium can be affected by aging, diabetes and other chronic diseases and even alcohol abuse.

¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la deficiencia de magnesio?

Factors that can cause low magnesium levels include drinking too much alcohol, coffee or soda; taking in too much salt; heavy menstrual periods; excessive sweating; and prolonged stress.

If a person isn’t getting enough magnesium in their diet, symptoms of low magnesium may include:

• Fatiga
• Pérdida del apetito
• Náuseas
• Debilidad

Cómo obtener más magnesio

Alimentos altos en magnesio

Food can be a good source of magnesium, which is readily available in whole, unprocessed foods such as:

• Black beans
• Vegetales de hojas verdes
• Nuts (especially almonds, cashews, peanuts)
• Semillas de zapallo
• Algunos alimentos fortificados
• Granos integrales

Una onza de almendras, por ejemplo, contiene el 20 por ciento del magnesio diario que un adulto necesita.

Suplementos de magnesio

Someone can also consider an over-the-counter magnesium supplement.^* "I always say 'food first,' but sometimes you may not get enough nutrients from your food," says dietician and exercise physiologist Felicia Stoler, DCN, RDN. "En ese caso, es importante agregar un suplemento".

Choosing the best magnesium supplement can be confusing since there are numerous types or forms (e.g., magnesium carbonate, magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium lactate, magnesium oxide and others), as well as a wide range of suggested serving sizes (from less than 50 mg to more than 1,000 mg). Supplements are sold over the counter as capsules, gummies, liquids, polvos and tablets.

Two common formulations are magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate. And an increasing number of magnesium supplements are being sold as combination formulations with multiple minerals or vitamins in a single product. One example of a multimineral product is magnesium combined with calcium and zinc. “They can help a person consolidate three primary minerals that are compatible and synergistic in one simple formula,” says integrative pharmacist David Restrepo, RPh.

Efectos secundarios del magnesio

Los suplementos de magnesio, cuando se toman en las dosis adecuadas, suponen menos riesgos. Los riñones de las personas sanas pueden eliminar el magnesio sobrante por la orina. Pero como con la mayoría de los suplementos, tomar demasiado magnesio puede ser peligroso. "Algunas personas piensan que si un poquito es bueno, entonces mucho más es mejor", dice Stoler. Although oral magnesium supplementation is generally well tolerated, magnesium can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting - and in some cases, muscle weakness and an irregular heartbeat. It's always best to talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about a particular supplement or dosage.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements, and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.

*FOR VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS: Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements. Estas declaraciones no han sido evaluadas por la Administración de Medicamentos y Alimentos. Estos productos no están hechos para diagnosticar, tratar, curar ni prevenir ninguna enfermedad.