The Power of Essential Minerals: Magnesium and Potassium

In previous articles, we discussed the importance of minerals for bone health. Let's continue by exploring two more crucial minerals: magnesium and potassium.

MG – Magnesium

Magnesium is a key mineral for heart and vascular health. It helps reduce blood pressure, provides significant relaxation, alleviates muscle tension, supports the nervous system, and aids with headaches and sleep issues.

Magnesium is essential for calcium absorption in the bones. It also plays an electrical role in activating muscles, including the heart muscle and the digestive system. Magnesium is crucial for a healthy nervous system and helps prevent kidney stones and colon cancer. Additionally, it assists in serotonin production in the brain, enhancing mood.

High salt intake can interfere with magnesium absorption.

Primary sources of magnesium include molasses, leafy greens, oats, nuts, and legumes. Magnesium supplements are often recommended for excessive nervousness, sleep problems, anxiety, and high blood pressure. They also aid in muscle cramps and can be taken with vitamin B6 and calcium.

Individuals with overactive intestines or kidney failure should avoid magnesium supplements.

Potassium – Potassium

Potassium is predominantly found (98%) inside body cells. It maintains the correct fluid balance within cells and is essential for proper nerve function, especially in the brain's central nervous system. Potassium is involved in muscle activation, including the heart muscle, bowel contractions and relaxation, and kidney function.

This mineral is very calming. It's recommended to consume potassium-rich foods such as bananas, leafy vegetables like celery, parsley, and lettuce, apples, legumes, and citrus fruits.

Potassium supplements are given only in extreme cases of edema or high blood pressure, under strict medical supervision. They should not be taken if kidney failure is present!

A lack of potassium can cause muscle cramps, irregular heartbeats, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, cognitive issues, kidney problems, and edema. The main causes of deficiency are medications that aggressively expel salts from the body, along with diarrhea and vomiting.

Coffee and cola can interfere with potassium absorption, as can excessive sodium intake.

It is advisable to monitor potassium levels through blood tests, as high or low values can have critical health implications.

To book home gatherings with Rabbi Rachel Batzri, call 073-2221240 or 052-9551588