Magnesium and potassium are crucial minerals for optimal body function. Magnesium plays a role in diabetes management, osteoporosis prevention, migraine reduction, promoting restful sleep, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and regulating kidney function. It also helps alleviate stress and depression. “Perhaps its most important job is to enable healthy enzyme function,” stated Dana Habash-Bseiso, M.D., an internal medicine specialist, in a discussion with University Hospitals. “Magnesium is involved in more than 300 different enzyme activities that help to regulate biochemical reactions in our body.” In essence, magnesium is a vital nutrient necessary for the body’s well-being.
Potassium also offers numerous health benefits, some of which overlap with those of magnesium. It supports bone, kidney, and heart health, aids in diabetes management, and helps lower blood pressure. Given that both minerals independently contribute to managing high blood pressure, what happens if they are taken together by someone with high blood pressure? The combination could potentially amplify their benefits.
According to a 2011 study published in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, combining these minerals with a low-sodium diet is more effective in reducing blood pressure than taking magnesium or potassium alone. This combination might even match the effects of certain antihypertensive medications.
Why you should know your magnesium and potassium levels
For magnesium and potassium to effectively support healthy blood pressure, your mineral levels must be optimal. This is because these two minerals interact closely within the body. Low magnesium levels can lead to decreased potassium levels, which is undesirable. Before incorporating potassium into your health regimen, ensure your magnesium levels are sufficient. This will enable both minerals to synergize for blood pressure benefits rather than work against each other.
If you haven’t recently tested your magnesium and potassium levels, it’s advisable to see your doctor. It’s crucial to check your levels and determine if taking these minerals together is suitable, considering your medical history. This can help avoid potential issues such as drug interactions or health conditions that might impact how your body processes these nutrients.
Other possible benefits of taking magnesium and potassium together
For individuals with high blood pressure, combining magnesium and potassium can serve as an effective alternative to prescription medications. Furthermore, due to their benefits for kidney health, these minerals can be particularly advantageous following a kidney transplant. A 2018 study in Nutrients revealed that mice treated with cyclosporine to prevent transplant rejection experienced enhanced kidney function and reduced fibrotic lesions when given magnesium supplements. Adding potassium further amplified these benefits.
Despite the advantages of taking these minerals together, there’s a risk of surpassing the recommended intake. Excessive consumption can lead to gastrointestinal issues or stomach discomfort. If you experience any unusual side effects, it’s important to contact your doctor promptly to explore alternative options or safer methods to consume magnesium and potassium.
