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Magnesium Levels Change as we Age, but Supplements can Help

Some studies found that taking a magnesium supplement could slow aging and combat age-related illnesses.

ByElizabeth Gamillo
Credit: Cegli/Shutterstock

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As we age, we start looking for ways to slow down its process. Magnesium supplements might help keep age-related illnesses at bay.

Various studies have found that magnesium deficiencies are linked to aging. A survey in Magnesium Research found that when we get older, the magnesium levels in our bodies also decrease because of changes in our ability to absorb magnesium.

Our magnesium intake decreases because our ability to absorb it in our intestines also decreases. However, a reduced amount of magnesium could also be due to medications commonly prescribed to the elderly, including diuretics and a few antibiotics, contributing to magnesium deficiencies.

While having enough magnesium causes health problems, it has yet to be fully known how well magnesium supplements work to help a deficiency.

(Credit: monticello/Shutterstock)

monticello/Shutterstock

Our bodies need magnesium to function correctly. The nutrients in grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens help the body ...

  • Elizabeth Gamillo

    Elizabeth Gamillo is a staff writer for Discover and Astronomy. She has written for Science magazine as their 2018 AAAS Diverse Voices in Science Journalism Intern and was a daily contributor for Smithsonian. She is a graduate student in MIT's Graduate Program in Science Writing.

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