CALCIUM: ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS STRATEGY

CALCIUM AND VIT D SUPPLEMENTATION

CALCIUM CUTS BONE LOSS

VITAMIN C - THE WONDER CURE

PMS - PROPER MULTIPLE SUPPLEMENTATION

CATARACTS AND ANTIOXIDANTS

CALCIUM & MAGNESIUM

A CRAMP "SOLUTION"

CHOCOLATE CRAVINGS

CHELATION & MINERAL BIOAVAILABILITY

MALNUTRITION AND THE ELDERLY

MAGNESIUM: ARE YOU "MARGINALLY" DEFICIENT?

MAGNESIUM: THE MEDICINAL MINERAL

YOUR HEALTH CARE DEBATE

THE OTHER DEBATE

"TIS THE SEASON TO BE STRESSED"

VEGETARIANISM: A 90'S APPROACH TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

WINTER BLUES AND HOLIDAYS

ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION

SHOULD YOU TAKE EXTRA VITAMINS

MACULAR DEGENERATION STUDY SUPPORTS SUPPLEMENTATION

WHAT DO HEART DISEASE, STROKES AND ALZHEIMER'S HAVE IN COMMON? 3 B VITAMINS

One of seven major minerals in the human body, magnesium is essential for every major biologic process. Unfortunately, many people who are in danger of low magnesium levels and suffer from symptoms of magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium's Cellular Functions
An adult human body contains about five teaspoons worth of magnesium. Next to calcium, it is the second most abundant mineral found in the body - most of it located in the bones and muscles. Magnesium's abundance indicates the significance which it plays in metabolic functions.

In the production of cellular energy, magnesium forms a stabilizing complex with ATP. It is also essential for converting glycogen-sugar into glucose of the body's fuel, and in the synthesis of nucleic acids and protein.

Collaborating with calcium, magnesium regulates the flow of calcium, sodium and potassium across nerve and muscle cell membranes. This movement generates electrical signals which travel down nerve cells to control the contraction and relaxation of muscle cells. While it is the calcium ions inside the muscle cells that actually cause the contraction of muscles, the gatekeeper or magnesium determines the relaxation of the muscle.

Magnesium Deficiency
Given magnesium's diverse roles in cellular functions, magnesium deficiency can produce a diverse set of symptoms: depression, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, hallucinations, tremors, loss of coordination, personality changes and possibly, fatal convulsions. Magnesium deficiency occurs for several reasons: excessive excretion, malabsorption or low intake.

The most frequently observed groups of magnesium deficient people are those who have an excessive loss of magnesium. Those who take diuretics, digitalis preparations, certain antibiotics and anticancer medication, diabetics and those who exercise regularly and strenuously may suffer from low magnesium levels. Those who suffer from malabsorption, such as consumers of alcohol and people who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders, may also suffer from magnesium deficiency.

A daily intake below 220 mg per day will eventually produce magnesium deficiency. And although the RDA has been set at 300 mg for adult females and 350 for males, the average American consumes only 40% of the RDA. This "marginally" deficient magnesium intake may be due to illness, dieting and poor diets. For example, drinking a carbonated soft drink makes magnesium unavailable for absorption. (Phosphorous binds to an equal amount of dietary magnesium, and a12 oz. soft drink can bind 30 mg of phosphorous to 30 mg of magnesium.)

In addition, some researchers contend that good diets do not guarantee a magnesium-rich intake due to processed and refined foods. For example, converting wheat into flour removes 82% of the magnesium. Likewise, green peas lose 30% of their magnesium when frozen and 40% when canned. Because of the disparity in food's magnesium levels and the RDA's, researchers often recommend magnesium supplements to make up this difference.

A Word of Caution
Magnesium supplementation is not toxic in healthy people for two reasons. First, magnesium absorption decreased as magnesium intake increases. Secondly, the kidneys are able to excrete excess amounts of magnesium quickly. While high intakes do not build up in the blood, the presence of 3 to 5 grams of it in the intestine causes diarrhea. People with kidney problems and those with high-grade atrioventicular blocks of bifascular blocks should consult a doctor before raising their magnesium levels.

Magnesium's Healing Powers
Some studies have indicated critical relationships between magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes and even, toxic shock syndrome. Many studies have linked low magnesium levels to heart attack risk. Although magnesium's therapeutic benefits were ignored until recently, magnesium supplementation may play a key role in preventative medicine. The next newsletter will be devoted to magnesium's potential healing powers.

Copyright © August-September, 1993