High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a contributor to the development of atherosclerosis, stroke, kidney failure, dementia and heart disease.1-5 Show
The root cause of high blood pressure in adults is often unclear. Certain conditions, like diabetes, increase the chances of developing high blood pressure. Unhealthy behaviors that put individuals at greater risk for developing high blood pressure include lack of physical activity and obesity.6,7 The medical profession is coming to the realization that magnesium deficiency is another risk factor. A recent article published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences provides an updated overview of the evidence linking hypertension—and the vascular diseases it causes—with magnesium deficiency.8 Magnesium deficiency is more common than most people realize. It has been estimated that 64% of all men and 67% of women in the U.S. have inadequate dietary intake of magnesium. More than 80% of people over the age of 71 have an inadequate dietary intake of magnesium.9 Low-cost magnesium supplements provide an easy and effective solution. What you need to knowMost men and women in the United States are deficient in magnesium, and this deficiency is strongly correlated with hypertension. Multiple studies have shown that magnesium can help maintain a healthy blood pressure. This has been shown through its ability to increase production of prostaglandin E1, which is a vascular relaxant that also prevents clots from forming inside blood vessels. Hypertension Causes Heart DiseaseHeart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide.1 There are many risk factors for heart disease, including elevated blood lipids, smoking, advancing age, obesity, and elevated blood glucose levels.1 Hypertension is one of the most prevalent risk factors.1 According the American Heart Association, an estimated 41.4% of Americans will have high blood pressure by 2030.10 Over time, high blood pressure inflicts damage on the blood vessels and heart, accelerating the development of coronary artery blockage and heart failure.8 How Low Magnesium Leads to HypertensionSeveral conditions contribute to the development of high blood pressure, such as whether blood vessels are flexible (constricted or relaxed), stress responses, and structural changes in the blood vessels themselves. Low magnesium levels impact all these conditions. Blood Vessel Constriction Magnesium keeps blood pressure down by aiding blood vessel relaxation and dilation.11-13 Magnesium is a cofactor, or “helper compound,” required for hundreds of reactions throughout the body. One of those reactions leads to the production of prostaglandin E1, an important vascular relaxant which also helps prevent clots from forming inside blood vessels.14 Magnesium also tempers the secretion of the hormone aldosterone, which causes the kidney to hold on to sodium and water. This can affect blood pressure.15-17 When there’s a deficiency of magnesium, blood vessels are chronically constricted and sodium and water are retained, resulting in hypertension. Stress Responses Stress is a physiological risk factor that leads to elevated blood pressure.8 Sympathetic nervous system reflexes, often referred to as our “fight or flight” responses, cause the release of neurotransmitters and hormones known collectively as catecholamines. These compounds exert a powerful constricting effect on blood vessels, raising blood pressure. In lab studies, magnesium was shown to reduce the amount of catecholamines released in response to stressors.15,18 A deficiency of magnesium lets stress responses run amok, leading to vascular constriction and resulting hypertension. Blood Vessel Structure Magnesium deficiency causes several changes that accelerate the aging and hardening of arteries. It leads to low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in blood vessel walls.19 Over time, this causes dysfunction of the blood vessel that results in arterial stiffness and, ultimately, atherosclerosis—which raises blood pressure.20 Low levels of magnesium also increase the “permeability” of the blood vessel lining, allowing more LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol to get into the vessel wall.21 This leads to an increase in the atherosclerotic plaque that narrows the blood vessel, which can result in heart disease. Magnesium deficiency has also been tied to metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes, characterized by elevated blood glucose levels.22-25 This further contributes to blood-vessel wall damage and the progression of atherosclerosis. What Human Studies RevealNumerous human clinical trials have found an association between magnesium and hypertension.26-28 These studies show that the lower the magnesium level in patients, the higher the systolic blood pressure. Other studies, including a meta-analysis of trials that enrolled more than 2,000 subjects, have found that supplementation with magnesium reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients.29 Human studies have also demonstrated an association between low magnesium and risk for cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.9,12 A meta-analysis that looked at 5 studies with 58,750 participants found that there was a 9% reduction in risk for cardiovascular events with every 0.12 mg/dL increase in serum magnesium levels.9 SummaryMagnesium is a mineral that is required for the healthy function of hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body. Magnesium deficiency is increasingly common. A recent review article reveals that low magnesium is a major contributor to the development of hypertension, which leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease. Maintenance of normal magnesium levels helps keep blood pressure in the normal range and reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, including the incidence of heart attack and stroke. Supplementation with low-cost magnesium is recommended to treat deficiency and maintain optimal levels. If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027. References
What kind of magnesium can lower blood pressure?Magnesium taurate
Many doctors consider magnesium taurate⁹ the best supplement for people with hypertension (high blood pressure). Studies in rats show that it can help lower high blood pressure and protect your heart.
How much magnesium should I take for high blood pressure?Magnesium intake of 500 mg/d to 1000 mg/d may reduce blood pressure (BP) as much as 5.6/2.8 mm Hg. However, clinical studies have a wide range of BP reduction, with some showing no change in BP.
Is magnesium citrate good for high blood pressure?Conclusions. Oral magnesium citrate supplementation for 24 weeks did not significantly change arterial stiffness or blood pressure. Magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate had similar nonsignificant effects.
Is magnesium glycinate good for high blood pressure?People with the following conditions might see positive effects after taking magnesium glycinate: High blood pressure or heart disease: Magnesium supplements can help decrease blood pressure slightly. Type 2 diabetes: Consuming high amounts of magnesium in the diet might reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
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