Magnesium and Blood Clots

Magnesium is a mineral essential to many bodily functions, one of which is the regulation of blood clots. Blood clots are particles of blood that congregate to form a plug that inhibits bleeding and promotes healing. The presence of magnesium benefits blood vessel health by balancing with calcium in the body. The ratio of calcium to magnesium is important because while calcium is responsible for the formation of blood clots, magnesium is responsible for their termination.

Blood Clots

A blood clot, or thrombus, is a mass of platelets in the blood that helps the body repair damaged blood vessels and stop bleeding. When an area becomes injured, platelets form a protective barrier, beginning the healing process and coagulation.

Problems can arise with excessive clot formation in blood vessels. Venous blood clots are often due to immobilization. This can cause heart attack, stroke or peripheral artery disease. Arterial blood clots can also occur by plaque buildup that forms along the blood vessel lining.

Magnesium

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Because it has a role in vascular health and maintenance, its presence may help prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and pathological blood clot formation. Magnesium can be taken in supplement form or consumed in foods such as whole grains, green leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts.

Magnesium and Vascular Health

Magnesium intake may benefit the function of the endothelium, the innermost layer of the blood vessels, and decrease systemic inflammation 2. Magnesium reduces arterial tone and tension and may increase vasodilation. Magnesium deficiency can cause the walls of the arteries and capillaries to constrict, increasing the pressure the blood needs to pump through the vessels.

In "Circulation," a 2000 study demonstrated that oral magnesium intervention for six months resulted in significant improvement in brachial artery endothelial function in a population of patients with coronary artery disease 1.

Ratio of Calcium and Magnesium

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Another reason magnesium benefits the blood vessels is because of its role in the destruction of blood clots. Magnesium is able to regulate the process of coagulation by inhibiting calcium. The release of calcium is reduced from and into the cells, protecting against calcium overload. This balance is important in maintaining equilibrium of the circulatory system because calcium promotes blood clot formation and magnesium promotes their destruction. When calcium and magnesium are balanced at a ratio below 4-to-1, the formation and destruction of blood clots is healthy. When the ratio is above 4-to-1, pathological blood clot formation results. Keeping magnesium and calcium balanced prevents pathological formation of blood clots.