Magnesium Can Keep Your Cells Young

Magnesium deficiency affects more than half of the U.S. population and is associated with increased risk for many age-related diseases,including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Yet the mechanisms underlying the link between magnesium deficiency and disease have remained largely unknown—that is until now.

The findings of a recent study point to a fairly simple explanation. Researchers at the Nutrition and Metabolism Center at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute found that human cells in a magnesium-deficient environment literally age faster. It appears that one of the effects of insufficient magnesium levels on cellular aging is increased oxidative stress, leading to accelerated rates of damage to cellular structures called telomeres. Telomeres are "caps" on the end of chromosomes which protect them from destruction and are thought to control a cell's lifespan. (Killilea DW, Ames BN. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008 Apr 15;105(15):5768-73.)

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Make sure you are getting enough magnesium to protect your cells from aging prematurely. Your doctor can perform a test to determine if you are magnesium-deficient. Taking a magnesium supplement is good insurance against deficiency and can also have a soothing effect on stressed muscles and nerves. Be sure to include plenty of magnesium-rich foods such as leafy greens, beans, nuts and seeds in your diet. The Institutes of Medicine recommends that you get 400 mg of magnesium per day.

QUICK TIP: Jean Carper on 10 ways magnesium can improve health. Learn More

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Written exclusively for Stop Aging Now, the authority on anti-aging research, anti-aging nutrition, and anti-aging supplements.