Daily magnesium supplements 'significantly' reduce blood pressure and boost blood flow

Wednesday 13th September 2017 06:38 EDT
 

Daily magnesium supplements significantly reduce blood pressure, new research reveals. Taking a 300mg tablet, the recommended dose for males, lowers hypertension and boosts blood flow after just one month, a study review found.

Researchers recommend magnesium supplements be considered for people suffering from, or at-risk of, high blood pressure. Yet, other experts argue dietary sources of the mineral, such as leafy greens, bananas and nuts, are sufficient to keep magnesium levels topped up.

Excessive levels of the mineral can cause side effects, including diarrhea. The researchers from Indiana University analyzed 34 studies with a total of 2,028 participants.

Results reveal taking a 300mg magnesium supplement every day for one month is enough to significantly lower hypertension and improve blood flow. 

Dr Lead author Yiging Song said magnesium supplements should be considered for lowering blood pressure in ‘high-risk persons or hypertension patients’.

The findings were published in the journal Hypertension. NHS Choices recommends men aged between 19 and 64 have 300mg of magnesium a day, while women need 270mg.

Sources of magnesium rich food

Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, fish, bananas, dried fruit, and nuts and seeds.

Experts often argue dietary sources alone are sufficient to maintain people's magnesium levels.

An excessive dietary intake can cause diarrhea. Some therefore recommend people absorb magnesium topically, for instance via bath salts. 


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