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

Since the early 1900's, magnesium sulfate injections have been an important treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in pregnant women. (Pre-eclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and other symptoms. This can progress to eclampsia which is marked by convulsions and coma and which is frequently fatal to mother and child.) More recently, researchers found that daily magnesium aspartate supplements eliminated pre-eclampsia.

In 1984, the American Journal of Ostetrics and Gynocology reported that a magnesium sulfate injection given to a pregnant woman during delivery saved her infant. Doctors tired the injection before resorting to an emergency cesarean. Within 2 minutes, the injection restored the dangerously slow fetal heartbeat to normal.

Since 1984, numerous studies have linked low magnesium levels to cardiovascular diseases. These studies confirm magnesium's important role in preventing or ameliorating the affects of artherosclerosis, arrhythmia, heart attack damage, hypertension, as well as diabetic seizures and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Artherosclerosis
In 1990, researchers at the State University of New York in Brooklyn reported that magnesium deficiency appears to conspire with cholesterol to promote artheroschlerosis, the precursor to cardiovascular disease. These researchers fed various combinations of cholesterol and magnesium to rabbits - which are particularly susceptible to artery clogging artherosclerosis. Magnesium-deficient rabbits eating cholesterol developed the most and thickest deposits in the aorta.

Arrhythmia
In 1987, Israeli researchers reported that magnesium can help prevent dangerous arrhythmia. Of 48 patients suffering from acute heart attacks who received a single intravenous dose of magnesium sulfate, only 7 developed arrhythmias, compared to 16 of the 46 who received placebos.

Heart Attacks
In 1992, British researchers at the University of Leicester reported that injections of magnesium at the time of a heart attack reduced deaths by 25% in a study of more than 2,316 patients. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Maryland, researchers reviewed studies of the use of intravenous magnesium as treatment for suspected heart attacks and found a 55% reduction in death compared to patients who did not receive the mineral.

Heart Bypass Surgery Recovery
A recent study published in the Journal of the AMA, found that an inexpensive injection of magnesium solution following bypass surgery reduced heart rhythm problems by 50% and speeded recovery of patients.

Diabetes
In May 1992, the American Diabetes Association sponsored a conference on magnesium supplementation in the treatment of diabetes. While a causal relationship has not been determined, experimental data suggests that magnesium deficiencies may play a role in insulin resistance, carbohydrate intolerance, accelerated artherosclerosis and adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated by diabetes and hypertension.

Diabetes and Hypertension
Studies have shown that hypertensive people with Type II diabetes have lower magnesium levels in their red blood cells than healthy nondiabetics. Researchers at the USC at Los Angeles reported that a daily dose of magnesium may help lower blood pressure in hypertensive people who have Type II diabetes.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Two small studies in 1991 suggested that a possible organic explanation for chronic fatigue syndrome is a low level of magnesium, although it is unclear whether magnesium deficiency is a cause or symptom of the illness. In one study, researchers gave 32 CFS sufferers an intramuscular shot of either magnesium sulfate or a placebo injection once oa week for six weeks. After that period, 12 of the 15 who received magnesium sulfate experienced elevated energy levels and emotional states.

As discussed in the previous issue, "marginal" magnesium deficiency is common. One researcher suggests that 70% of Americans do not meet the recommended daily intake of magnesium. And, men are more likely to be magnesium deficient than women!

Studies have shown that artherochlerosis, the basis of cardiovascular disease, is largely preventable. Estimates are that with simple changes, people can rapidly decrease their own risk of disease by as much as 50%. Life style changes that deal with smoking, exercise, stress and diet are the most frequently cited tools for prevention. Based on current research, magnesium supplementation may play a key role in preventative medicine for cardiovascular disease, as well as eclampsia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Copyright © October-November, 1993