To prevent heart attacks, what minerals do older adults need to supplement?

One of the important factors to help maintain health is a nutritious diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats rich in protein and healthy fats. However, aging reduces the ability to absorb, making the elderly susceptible to malnutrition, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

A study published in the journal Nutrients found that the mineral that older people are most likely to be deficient in is magnesium. This is because certain changes due to aging make it difficult for the intestines to absorb magnesium.

Magnesium is important to the body because it contributes to more than 300 functions, from regulating heart rhythm, promoting bone health to supporting nerve and muscle function. Adult men need at least 400 mg of magnesium per day, while women need 310 mg per day.

Magnesium is especially important for older adults because it helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis-related fractures. It can also prevent heart attacks, strokes, and cognitive decline.

One chronic condition that can lead to heart disease is high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to your arteries and build up plaque. Plaque can reduce blood flow to your organs and even lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Magnesium helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke

A study published in the journal Nutrients confirms that magnesium supports cardiovascular health and helps regulate blood pressure. Low levels of magnesium in the blood can easily lead to atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, adequate magnesium intake helps the body metabolize cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Magnesium also helps reduce inflammation in the brain, eliminate toxins, and prevent protein and plaque buildup in the brain. This mineral helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's dementia.

In addition to older people with type 2 diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption and gastrointestinal disease are also susceptible to magnesium deficiency. Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to symptoms such as paralysis, irregular heartbeat and muscle cramps. Foods rich in magnesium are dark green leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruits, fish, and dark chocolate, according to Healthline .