Magnesium Deficiency Increases Risk for Stroke
Here’s what we know about preventing stroke:
- Your diet can impact whether you are at high, moderate or low risk for experiencing this health event;
- High sodium intake and having hypertension can increase your risk;
- And, higher intakes of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium have been shown to decrease hypertension risk.
The last point makes the latest finding in the stroke prevention research not a surprise. Low blood levels of magnesium may increase the risk of stroke by 25%. Specifically, increasing magnesium levels could thwart the possibility of a stroke from occurring by activating an anti-hypertensive mechanism, according to a large-scale study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. (Ohira T et al. American Journal of Epidemiology. Published online ahead of print, 16 April 2009, doi:10.1093/aje/kwp071.)
The average American does not get enough magnesium to avoid deficiency. Dietary sources of magnesium include leafy greens, meats, starches, grains and nuts and milk.
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Don’t let a magnesium deficiency put you at risk for a life-altering stoke. Most people are already deficient. The recommended dietary allowances are 320 mg per day for women and 420 mg per day for men. But to make sure that you’re getting enough, supplement either through a multivitamin or a separate supplement.
