It is only recently that scientists have definitely established the existence of magnesium
deficiency in man. For years medical reports stated that a person could obtain enough
magnesium from food to keep his bones and cells healthy. Yet the more researchers learned
about this mineral, the more they have come to realize that much ill health is due to existing
magnesium deficiencies. Furthermore, they now know that since most people never eat
enough of the magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seed foods, and green vegetables), the deficiency
may well be universal.
Without magnesium the actions of nerves and muscles are impaired. Convulsions, dizziness,
muscular weakness, weak teeth and bones, and nervous irritability have all been cited as
features of magnesium deficiency. There are other conditions where magnesium deficiency
may also be present yet difficult to detect because the overt symptoms are missing or masked.
The editor and staff of Prevention magazine have long been aware of the importance of
magnesium in human nutrition. They have been greatly concerned because the public was
serenely confident that it was getting enough of this valuable mineral. Time and time again
they have called attention to the fact that this is not so. Now that the essentiality of this
mineral and its widespread deficiency are both recognized, the time has come to put before
the public the many vital metabolic roles of this one mineral and how to make certain you
benefit by them.
If you want to understand the essential metabolic function of magnesium, to learn how a lack
of this mineral nutrient affects the vital organs, and, most important of all, to learn how to
prevent a deficiency in your own body, read on! The authors have drawn on voluminous
research and years of study about this vital mineral to prepare this book for you. Their hope is
that after reading it you will understand the relation of magnesium to physical and mental
health, be aware of the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency and, first and foremost, be able
to ensure an adequate supply of this essential mineral to your own body.