MAGNESIuM DEFICIENCY - Burt's Remedies [PDF]

Magnesium Deficiency

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Contents

Part I Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................5 General Information about Magnesium as Pertaining To - Diet: .......................................................6  Diet................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Macronutrients and micronutrients................................................................................................................................... 6 Macronutrients........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Micronutrients............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

General Information about Magnesium as Pertaining To - Stress: ................................................ 10 Stress.............................................................................................................................................................................................10 Biochemical And Emotional................................................................................................................................................10 Chronic Inflammation and Systemic Stress..................................................................................................................12

General Information about Magnesium as Pertaining To - Drugs: ................................................ 18 Drugs.............................................................................................................................................................................................18 Drugs Deplete Magnesium..................................................................................................................................................18

Part 2 Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 21 Do I get enough magnesium?............................................................................................................................................21 Do I get enough magnesium?............................................................................................................................................21 * What to do?.............................................................................................................................................................................22 * How important is magnesium to life?.........................................................................................................................22

Signs Of Magnesium Deficiency................................................................................................................... 25 * 10 Signs to Watch For:........................................................................................................................................................25 Diet................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Stress.............................................................................................................................................................................................26 Drug Interactions.....................................................................................................................................................................26 Other Reasons...........................................................................................................................................................................27 * How can you know for certain if you have a deficiency?...................................................................................29 * What can you do to increase magnesium intake?.................................................................................................30 * Signs of Magnesium Deficiency.....................................................................................................................................31

Part 3 Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 35 Statistics on Magnesium Deficiency........................................................................................................... 37 Why are many magnesium deficiencies not recognized?......................................................................39 Explanation #1: Accurate magnesium tests are not available...............................................................................39 Explanation #2: Magnesium “assists” other functions............................................................................................. 40 Explanation #3: Magnesium cannot be patented......................................................................................................41

Correcting Widespread Deficiencies: An Urgent Matter....................................................................44

Part 4 Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 47 Magnesium depletion in healthy individuals can be caused by:.........................................................48 (a) Depletion of Magnesium in the Diet/ Low Magnesium Diets/Processed Foods and Sodas.............48 (b) Soft Water and Magnesium..........................................................................................................................................48 (c) Calcium Supplements.....................................................................................................................................................49 (d) Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medications...............................................................................................49

Some conditions can increase vulnerability to deficiency, including:............................................ 51 (a) Alcohol and other Addictions......................................................................................................................................51 (b) Illness, Stress and Aging as Causes of Low Magnesium...................................................................................51 (c) Digestive and Genetic Disorders.................................................................................................................................52

Know Your Risk Factors................................................................................................................................. 53

Magnesium Deficiency

Part I The articles include: (1)  Introduction...5 (2)  General information about magnesium deficiency as pertaining to: Diet...6 (3) General information about magnesium deficiency as pertaining to: Stress...10 (4) General information about magnesium deficiency as pertaining to: Drugs...18

Article (1)

Introduction Magnesium is an abundant mineral in the body and is absolutely essential to good health. Approximately 50 %of total body magnesium is found in the bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% or less of magnesium is found in blood. Yet it must be noted that the body works very hard to keep these blood levels of magnesium constant.

 Magnesium is involved in almost every bodily function participating in more than 300 biochemical reactions, according to the National Institute of health. It is vital to wound healing; growth; immune system functions; temperature regulations; brain and nerve actions; and muscle action, including heart and skeletal muscle, smooth and striated muscle. Magnesium is important and required for the production of A.T.P. (adenosine triphosphate). This is the molecule, (power cell) on which the body depends to perform nearly all of our bodily functions.   It is not an exaggeration to say that today there is an epidemic of magnesium deficiency. Back in 1994, Dr Alan Gaby’s booklet was published and was called simply -“Magnesium”. Since then many more books and articles have been published on the importance of magnesium. According to Dr. Alan Gaby M.D. an expert on the subject, he says in his booklet “Magnesium” (1) that there are 3 basic reasons why magnesium deficiency is a concern today.  It is because of diet, stress, and drug interactions.

References for: “Magnesium Deficiency-Part I” / “’Introduction” (1) Gaby A. Magnesium: New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing; 1994.

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General Information

Magnesium To - Diet: about

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 Diet Macronutrients and micronutrients  There is a lot less magnesium in the food we eat today then there was 100 years ago.  For example in our bleached white flour, (not to mention the toxic chemicals) taken from whole wheat, 85% of the magnesium is removed.  Refined sugar (not to mention its role in cancer) which comprises about 19% of the calories in the American diet has been completely stripped of magnesium that occurs naturally in sugarcane.  In addition to that, our farming soil is also depleted of this vital mineral.  One reason the quality of our soil has deteriorated is because of the use of fertilizers. Let’s talk about the soil, plants and minerals for a moment. There are some 16 chemical elements known for the growth of most plants. These 16 chemical elements are divided into two main groups: non- mineral and mineral. The non- mineral nutrients are found in air and water. They are: hydrogen (H), oxygen (o) and carbon (c). In a process called photosynthesis, plants use the energy from the sun to change carbon and oxygen (combined, these two non-mineral nutrients form carbon dioxide (CO-2)) along with water into starches and sugars. The three non-mineral nutrients: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, come from the air and the water. The 13 mineral nutrients that are left from the 16 chemical elements come from the soil. Let’s expound on this for a moment. These mineral nutrients are divided into two groups: (1) Macronutrients and (2) Micronutrients.

Macronutrients  Macronutrients are divided into two groups called the primary and secondary nutrients. The primary nutrients are nitrogen (n), phosphorus (p), and potassium (k). These 3 primary nutrients are usually lacking from the soil first. Plants and crops use large amounts of these primary nutrients for their growth and survival. The secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (s), and even though at times there may be a sufficient amount of these secondary nutrients, magnesium and calcium may be added when lime is applied to acidic soils. Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., brings out in her book “The Magnesium Miracle”, that: 

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“Calcium and magnesium share equal importance in our bodies.” Dr. Dean goes on to relate what can happen in our bodies if that balance is not met. (Dr. Dean’s book can be purchased on this “Burt’s Remedies” web site). What is important to keep in mind here is that there needs to be the right balance between potassium and magnesium as well. Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral except for nitrogen and maybe calcium at times. Potassium helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, and disease reduction. However it has to be noted that magnesium is PART OF CHLOROPHYLL which is in all green plants and essential for photosynthesis.   (For more information on magnesium and chlorophyll see Burt’s Remedies article on “How Important is Magnesium to Life” found in the introduction as part of Magnesium Deficiency-Part II.)   Magnesium also activates many plant enzymes that are needed for growth. As you read on, you will see how important this balance between potassium and magnesium is, especially when you throw in fertilizers.  

Micronutrients  The micronutrients are the trace or minor elements essential for plant growth. Only a very small (micro) amount of these nutrients are needed. These micronutrients would include boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chloride (Cl), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn).   These mineral nutrients are dissolved in the water and can now be absorbed through the plants’ roots. This means that if there is not enough of these nutrients in the soil the plant will not be healthy. This is why farmers and gardeners now add chemical fertilizers. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if the soil is depleted of the vital nutrients we need, so that fertilizer has to be added, than we may not be getting all the nutrients that we need from our food. These chemical fertilizers (In the future See Burt’s Remedies will have articles on “Toxins/Heavy Metals and Chemicals”) contain large amounts of potassium. Potassium works antagonistically with magnesium, which is interesting since in the body, magnesium, according to Dr. Gaby in his booklet Magnesium says:

“Magnesium is essential to the maintenance of an adequate potassium level”. 

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This is extremely important because potassium is intricately involved in the muscle function of the heart.  In the soil, large amounts of these inorganic fertilizers (in order to produce a higher yield of crops) are low in magnesium, like nitrates, phosphate, and potassium salts, and drain the soil of magnesium.  Traditionally farmers use to increase the mineral content in the soil by using natural fertilizers such as manure and compost.   In addition, the use of ammonia as a fertilizer causes magnesium to be leached from the soil.  The problem with this statement about the soil being depleted of magnesium is that many scientists and nutritionists challenge this statement.  Their textbooks will tell you that the mineral deficient soil may lower crop yield but will not reduce the nutritional quality of crops that do grow.  However, according to some authorities, they do not understand or except the concept that the soil directly affects the mineral content in the foods grown in that soil. This was Dr. Gaby’s strong argument back then about magnesium depletion in the soil. The facts tell the truth.  Here is a case in point.  In the “Goiter belt” of the mid-west U.S., the soil is deficient of iodine thus the food grown is iodine deficient.  The food grown does not contain enough Iodine to meet necessary requirements.  This has lead to an epidemic of Goiters in the population living in that area of the U.S.  A further case in point is that of dairy cattle and horses.  If the pastures are deficient of minerals such as selenium and magnesium they can get what is called “grass-staggers”.  “Grass-staggers” is a condition characterized by an unsteady gait; muscle twitching; and muscle spasms.  This condition is remedied by supplementing their diet with magnesium and selenium, or adding these minerals to the soil, thus improving the soil and food connection.  This adds up to one thing, if our food supply starts out magnesium deficient, by the time our food is processed one can only imagine how depleted in magnesium it really is.   Dr. Carolyn Dean, in her book “The Magnesium Miracle”, also talks about a French biochemist farmer Andre Voisin, who wrote a book called  “Grass Tetany” (hypomagnesaemia), a metabolic disease in cattle and goats, caused by a deficiency of magnesium in the soil.(2)   The 2005 Life Extension magazine featured Paul Mason.  Paul has pioneered as an outspoken spoke person trying to get the public aware of magnesium depletion in their diet, and the consequences of it.  Paul Mason is telling the world that consuming more magnesium could save 21 million lives a year.  Mr. Mason says

“Regrettably only a few have bothered to pay attention”.

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References for: “Magnesium Deficiency-Part I” “General Information about Magnesium as Pertaining To-Diet, Stress, and Drugs” (1)  Mildred S. Seelig, M.D., MPH, Master, American College of Nutrition, and Andrea Rosanoff, PhD, (2)  Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007.   (3) http://www.mgwater.com/index.shtml (4)  http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2005/sep2005_awsi_01.htm (5) Gaby A. Magnesium: How an important mineral helps prevent heart attacks and relieve stress. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing; 1994. (6) http://www.agr.state.nc.us/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm (7) Sircus Mark. Transdermal Magnesium Therapy.Chandler AZ: Phaelos Books; 2007 (8) http:// IMVA Chronic Inflammation and Systemic Stress.com (9) Raab W. Cardio Toxic effects of emotional, socioeconomic, and environmental stresses. In Bajusz E, Rona G (eds.) Myocardiology, vol I, 197, pp. 707-713. (10) Henrote JG. Type A behavior and magnesium metabolism. Magnesium 1986;5-201-210.

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Article (3)

General Information about Magnesium To - Stress:

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Stress Biochemical And Emotional Today we live in a very toxic world (In the future Burt’s Remedies will have articles on “Toxins/ Heavy Metals and Chemicals”). We are bombarded by tens of thousands of chemical pollutants every single day.  As Dr. Gaby points out, how can one think for a moment that these pollutants would not interfere with the absorption and utilization of essential nutrients such as magnesium? One of the toxic metals, aluminum, for example, is known to compete for magnesium-binding sites in the body.  This can be interpreted this way: 

If aluminum from chemical pollutants, grab enough magnesiumsites in the body, this can block the normal biochemical functions of magnesium.  The implications here are staggering because of the wide spread exposure to aluminum anywhere from antacids (aluminum being the leading ingredient) and acid rain.  Acid rain dissolves aluminums from the bed rock, resulting in very high aluminum concentrations in the ground water.  The continued bombardment of absorbable aluminum plays a significant impact on the magnesium in our bodies.  The more our body absorbs this aluminum that binds with magnesium sites, the less magnesium we have in our body. (9), (10)    Lead, another toxin) can also deplete our magnesium. The assault on our bodies from biochemical pollutants accounts for part of our stress.  We will talk about chronic stress in a moment under Chronic Inflammation and systemic Stress in this article. The fast pace, as well as the space age technology in which we live, makes its contribution to bodily stresses. Today’s life style engenders a great deal of emotional and mental stress.  This includes traffic jams; dysfunctional relationships; demanding jobs; and financial money worries, not to mention hyperactive children.  All this adds up to one thing- STRESS.  Our modern, sometimes forgotten stresses are noise pollution; electrical appliances; fluorescent lights; and everything else that goes with it.  

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How does our body cope with such types of stress?  Our bodies respond by releasing epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol (cortisone like substance).  Both epinephrine and cortisol can cause magnesium to be released from cells and then excreted in the urine.  The greater the stress the more magnesium loss, especially true with those with type A personality. (10) This all adds up. The combined effects of a diet lacking in magnesium, environmental pollution and unprecedented mental stress, continues to lead to a wide spread magnesium deficiency.  

Dr. Carolyn Dean the author of “The Magnesium Miracle” has much to say about the need for magnesium when it comes to stress management and stress relief. Watch video of Dr. Shawn Benzinger, the health expert, as he gives Dr. Carolyn Dean’s book “The Magnesium Miracle” a high rating Review. (2) (See this video at: Burt’s Remedies Video’s on Magnesium) Dr. Dean has been coined the “Doctor of the Future” and rightly so. As Doctor Dean puts it:

“Stress causes magnesium deficiency and a lack of magnesium magnifies stress.” Dr. Dean points out that when we are under stress, our adrenal glands are overworked. Nutritional magnesium supports our adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are triangular in shape. They are part of the endocrine system. The adrenal glands are also known as the suprarenal glands. These glands sit on top of the kidneys and are primarily responsible for releasing hormones in conjunction with stress.    Dr. Seelig MD in her book “The Magnesium Factor” (1), makes mention that this vital nutrient, magnesium, is inadequate at a time when it is needed the most.  Because of today’s modern, stressful lifestyle, we are exposed to more chemicals than ever before.  What effect does our diet, stressful lifestyle, and prescription drugs, have on our cells and the need for magnesium?  Magnesium, as Dr. Seelig brings out, is a very important component of cell membranes.  What goes in and out of the cell depends largely on these cell membranes.  Magnesium is crucial for mineral balance.  It is absolutely vital that magnesium and potassium molecules are kept inside the cell, where-as calcium and sodium ions are kept outside the cell wall.  Even though these 4 minerals are plentiful and together become electrolytes, magnesium is still a top dog because magnesium is crucial to their specialized distribution. 

If the levels of magnesium inside the cell fall below normal, it could get ugly.  ◊

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This means magnesium and potassium will leak out and calcium and sodium will rush inside the cell.  The consequences could be seriously dangerous for both the heart and blood vessels.  Therefore, it is critical that the delicate balance of homeostasis between magnesium and calcium inside an outside the cell is maintained.  Dr. Seelig makes it quite clear that high levels of calcium inside the cell due to low levels of magnesium inside the cell will cause physical changes inside the cell, such as calcification.  This is not good and could interfere with proper cell function.  It cannot be emphasized enough form all the experts on magnesium, that magnesium adequacies should be a top priority to all of us if we want to stay healthy. (1), (2) “The Magnesium Factor”, by Dr. Mildred S. Seelig, and Dr. Dean’s book “The Magnesium Miracle” is a must read.    But if there is a magnesium deficiency why are we not being told about it by the media and the medical community?  Dr. Sircus tells us that one reason we don’t really know that we are Magnesium deficient is because there is no true testing for it. He feels that blood testing does not really give the accurate story. We encourage you to go to the official site of the Nutritional Magnesium Association and learn more about magnesium and magnesium deficiency. Also when you get on the site please watch Doctor Dean’s video on magnesium and heart health.

Chronic Inflammation and Systemic Stress According to Dr. Mark Sircus Ac., OMD and Director of the International Medical Veritas Association (IMVA) in his four part articles on “Inflammation and Systemic Stress”, (8) he goes on to say that: 

 “In the final analysis there is no single medical or nutritional agent that has the power to both treat and prevent chronic inflammatory conditions. Magnesium acts as a general cell tonic while it reduces inflammatory and systemic stress.” This brings us to a stress of a different nature. We are not talking about every-day life style stress and anxiety here. Yes it’s true that as we deal with all of life’s trials, and challenges every day, we can be bombarded with mental and emotional stress, which of course may contribute to systemic stress according to many authorities on the subject. What we are really talking about here is systemic or chronic stress, brought on by inflammation. The factors that contribute toward chronic inflammation are found in both our internal and external environment as Dr. Sircus points out.  This could include excessive levels of hormones such as insulin, and emotional stress as we just ◊

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talked about, or environmental toxins such as heavy metals and chemicals that we are exposed to every day. (See Burt’s Remedies articles on “Toxins/Heavy Metals and Chemicals.”)  Other triggers of inflammation could be free radical damage, including viral, bacterial, fungal as well as other pathogenic infections. Then we have as Dr. Sircus mentions:

 “Obesity, over consumption of hydrogenated oils, periodontal disease, radiation exposure, smoking, spirochetes such as the borrelia that causes Lyme Disease, and certain pharmacological drugs”.  We do not want to confuse acute inflammation with chronic inflammation.  Acute inflammation can be a good thing. It is brought on by a short term immune response. NOTE: Burt’s Remedies article on “Our Amazing Immune System” is not up yet. The innate immunity is comprised of hereditary components. These components are always there to provide an immediate defense. This is the first line of defense to ward off pathogens. Inflammation then in this innate immune response is a localized protective response of the bodies living tissue to injury, infection, irritation, or allergy. This inflammation which is part of the nonspecific first line of defense can be characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. For example, if you cut yourself you can be exposed to foreign microorganisms. When that happens, the immune system will respond. It WILL IDENTIFY any dangerous foreign substance, and not misidentify it for its own “self” cells. So when these “non self” foreign bodies threaten, the bodies innate immune system will go into action , and repair any damage done as a result of the microbe invasion. The body’s innate immune system releases pro-inflammatory compounds. In part three of his article on “Inflammation and Systemic Stress”, Dr Sircus shows how inflammation works and that initially it is a good thing working with our immune system. For example when the immune system responds say to an irritant this in turn will cause inflammation. Take for example if you sprain your ankle. As Dr Sircus explains it, your immune system will now create a protein called a Circulating Immune Complex or CIC for short. This protein will arrive at the injured area and now cause pain and swelling around the sprained ankle. But then our amazing immune system will send proteins to the site to shut off these pro-inflammatory compounds.   Our major concern here is chronic inflammation. This can occur when the body does not shut off those pro-inflammatory compounds. This chronic inflammation can become evident in acute inflammation in the body when the individual shows an increased level of pro-inflammatory markers in the blood. One such marker is the C-reactive protein. There are other markers as well. The big difference between acute inflammation and chronic inflammation is this: In acute inflammation

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those markers such as the C-reactive protein do not show up any more when the job is done. In chronic inflammation, those elevated markers are still there. THEY DON’T SHUT OFF.      Dr.Marcelle Pick RNC,MSM,OB/GYN NP  and co-founder of “Women to Women” helps us to appreciate the far reaching effects of chronic inflammation and the host of modern diseases and conditions it is connected with. As she puts it:

 “It can lead to serious metabolic breakdown with vast implications for your long term health”.  These modern diseases and conditions can include obesity, diabetes or as some have coined it“diabesity”. Other conditions and diseases resulting from chronic inflammation is atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure as well as Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and even depression. As Marcelle Pick further puts it, you:

 “Need a healthy balance of inflammation to stay healthy”. There needs to be a constant communication within both the innate and acquired immune system to maintain a metabolic balance in the body. If your body is constantly on the defensive because the inflammatory call-to-action messages from the immune system, and are not shut off, what happens? It means trouble in River City as the saying goes.

 Not only is our immune system compromised but our overall health is compromised as well.  This is because inflammation takes its toll on our body’s energy and resources as Marcelle Pick points out. She further describes how this constant low-grade flow of powerful inflammatory markers wreck-havoc to the body in time, with far reaching consequences. With the balance of the immune system disrupted, the immune’s system’s hyperactivity can self-perpetuate and quickly spiral into disease notes Marcelle. We are talking about metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.  As Dr. Circus describes it:

 “Inflammation and systemic stress are central attributes of many pathological conditions”. To read Dr. Marcelle Pick’s articles on chronic inflammation search the web for Women to Women/ Chronic Inflammation.

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Again it could include obesity, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, depression, and to add to that, even disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, eczema and a host of others. Chronic inflammation and systemic stress can even set the stage for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and scleroderma. Dr. Sircus makes it clear in part 2 of his article on “Inflammation and Systemic Stress”, that: 

“When the body’s immune system turns on itself, as in the case of Autoimmune diseases, the result is cellular chaos, and what is even more disturbing is that this process may be happening year after year without even being aware of it.”  Right now we need to ask this all important question. What is the under lying causes of systematic or chronic inflammation on the body? As was mentioned earlier on in this article, we are all exposed one way or another to environmental chemical pollutants. Whether we want to accept that fact or not, we live in a HIGHLY TOXIC WORLD.

(Coming Soon: Burt’s Remedies articles  on “Toxins/ Heavy Metals and Chemicals”; ”Plastic/ Chemicals and our Health”; “Lead Poisoning-Why is lead poisoning a concern for us today ?”; “Mercury Poisoning” and related mercury articles; ”Lead Poisoning”; “Arsenic Poisoning”; “Cadmium Poisoning”; “Toxins /Heavy Metals /Chemicals in Tobacco and cigarette smoke” and related tobacco articles)  

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Many of the refined commercialized foods today containing pesticides, preservatives and other additives. Chemicals are stripping our food of nutrients.  These industrialized foods are replacing the foods that use to be naturally wholesome anti-inflammatory foods. This toxic overload adds up to one thing-inflammation and chronic stress to the body. Dr. Sircus and other authorities have dug even deeper. Yes research is showing that there are many factors that trigger chronic inflammation. We have our internal environment as well as our external environment. We already touched on this quoting Dr. Sircus, from pathogenic - infections (internal environment) to heavy metal toxins and chemicals (external environment). Dr. Sircus digs down to the “central mediating factor”.  As Dr. Sircus describes it, he strongly feels that factor is none other than “magnesium deficiency”. To quote Dr. Sircus and other authorities, they attribute “magnesium deficiency” as a cause and underpinning of chronic inflammatory build up. Dr. Sircus states further in part one of his four part series on “Inflammation and Systemic Stress” that:

 “in magnesium we have found a potent medicinal that is effective across a wide range of pathologies.” Dr. Sircus says again that it is magnesium that modulates cellular events involved in inflammation and that we need to:

“Look no further than the sea shore, which contains millions of tons of magnesium chloride, the perfect anti-inflammatory agent.” (7), (8) (For more information on magnesium chloride, See Burt’s Remedies article on “Topical Transdermal Mineral Magnesium Oil Parts VI, VII and VIII.) The 3rd reason why we are so magnesium deficient is drug interactions. 

References for: “Magnesium Deficiency-Part I” “General Information about Magnesium as Pertaining To-Diet, Stress, and Drugs” (1) Mildred S. Seelig, M.D., MPH, Master, American College of Nutrition, and Andrea Rosanoff, PhD, (2) Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007.   (3) http://www.mgwater.com/index.shtml (4) http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2005/sep2005_awsi_01.htm (5) Gaby A. Magnesium: How an important mineral helps prevent heart attacks and relieve stress. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing; 1994.

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(6) http://www.agr.state.nc.us/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm (7) Sircus Mark. Transdermal Magnesium Therapy.Chandler AZ: Phaelos Books; 2007 (8) http:// IMVA Chronic Inflammation and Systemic Stress.com (9) Raab W. Cardiotoxic effects of emotional, socioeconomic, and environmental stresses. In Bajusz E, Rona G (eds.) Myocardiology, vol I, 197, pp. 707-713. (10) Henrote JG. Type A behavior and magnesium metabolism. Magnesium 1986;5-201-210.

 

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Article (4)

General Information about Magnesium To - Drugs:

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Drugs Drugs Deplete Magnesium These drugs include diuretics; antibiotics; chemotherapy agents such as cisplatinum; vinblastine; etc., as well as cortisone, and asthma drugs. A deficiency of magnesium and disease can create a vicious cycle.   According to Dr. Gaby, Magnesium deficiency can lead to a number of different problems all of which can contribute to the development of certain chronic diseases.  This situation is compounded by that vicious cycle, where an illness aggravates magnesium deficiency.  This makes the illness worse.  Here is how this magnesium deficient cycle works.   When lacking in magnesium, one becomes more sensitive to the stress.  If the stressor is noise, the more exposure we have to noise, then the greater the release of epinephrine, which respond to the stressor - NOISE.   In turn, the greater the release of epinephrine, the greater is the loss of magnesium.  The more magnesium deficient one becomes, the more susceptible one can succumb to health problems, even severe illness and disease.  As a disease and illness progress, cells lose their ability to function properly. For the body cells to stay healthy, the cells need to maintain a very high level of magnesium concentration relative to blood serums, as Dr. Gaby tells it.  There is about 10 times more magnesium inside the cell of a healthy heart than there is in the blood stream.  In order for the cell to achieve and perform its multi-biochemical tasks, it needs a higher concentration of magnesium inside the cell.  (Intracellular)   The homeostasis inside the cell requires there to be a constant concentration of magnesium inside the cells.  Magnesium ions continue to leak out of the cell into the intercellular tissue and into the blood stream.  Located on the outer cell membrane is a magnesium ion pump.  When too much magnesium leaks out of the cell, the pump pulls the magnesium back into the cell.  The converse is also true.  If too much magnesium saturates the cell, it is pumped out.  This is why transdermal magnesium is safe.  (See Burt’s Remedies articles on “Topical Transdermal Mineral Magnesium Oil” Parts VI.VII, and VIII)

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Something else to keep in mind is that if we become seriously ill the body has difficulty holding onto the magnesium it needs.  The cell membrane at this point breaks down, allowing for more magnesium to leak out.  Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are similar to that of Iodine deficiency. (1)  Fatigue

(9)  Hyperventilation

(2)  Depression

(10)  Muscle cramps

(3)  Anxiety

(11)  Twitches

(4)  Irritableness

(12)  Intestinal complaints

(5)  Fear

(13)  Tightness in chest

(6)  Restlessness

(14)  Poor attention

(7)  Insomnia

(15)  Confusion

(8)  Faintness

(16)  Memory loss

 

One must keep in mind however that most of these symptoms, have more than one cause. 

 If these symptoms are a direct result of magnesium deficiency, correcting the deficiency will usually relieve the symptoms. References for: “Magnesium Deficiency-Part I” “General Information about Magnesium as Pertaining To-Diet, Stress, and Drugs” (1)  Mildred S. Seelig, M.D., MPH, Master, American College of Nutrition, and Andrea Rosanoff, PhD, (2)  Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007.   (3) http://www.mgwater.com/index.shtml (4) http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2005/sep2005_awsi_01.htm (5) Gaby A. Magnesium: How an important mineral helps prevent heart attacks and relieve stress. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing; 1994. (6) http://www.agr.state.nc.us/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm (7) Sircus Mark. Transdermal Magnesium Therapy. Chandler AZ: Phaelos Books; 2007 (8) http:// IMVA Chronic Inflammation and Systemic Stress.com (9) Raab W. Cardiotoxic effects of emotional, socioeconomic, and environmental stresses. In Bajusz E, Rona G (eds.) Myocardiology, vol I, 197, pp. 707-713. (10) Henrote JG. Type A behavior and magnesium metabolism. Magnesium 1986;5-201-210.

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Magnesium Deficiency Part 2 The articles include: (1) Introduction / Do I get enough magnesium?...21 (2) Signs of Magnesium Deficiency...25 (3) Symptoms of Low Magnesium...25 (4) Causes of a Lack of Magnesium...25

Article (1)

Introduction Do I get enough magnesium? Symptoms of poor magnesium intake can include muscle cramps, facial tics, poor sleep, and chronic pain. It pays to ensure that you get adequate magnesium before signs of deficiency occur.   But how can you know whether you’re getting enough magnesium?   According to population studies of average magnesium intake, there’s a good chance that you’re not getting enough magnesium in your system.   Less than 30% of U.S. adults consume the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium. And nearly 20% get only half of the magnesium they need daily to remain healthy (1), (2), (3)  It is not an exaggeration to say that today there is an epidemic of magnesium deficiency. Back in 1994, Dr Alan Gaby’s booklet was published and was called simply -“Magnesium”. Since then many more books and articles have been published on the importance of magnesium. According to Dr. Alan Gaby M.D. an expert on the subject, he says in his booklet “Magnesium” that there are 3 basic reasons why there is a magnesium deficiency today.  It is because of diet, stress, and drug interactions. These three basic reasons are discussed in this article along with other reasons.   Note: For additional information on how magnesium deficiency relates to one’s diet, stress, drugs see Burt’s Remedies article on Magnesium Deficiency: Part I and Part III 

Do I get enough magnesium? One method of assessing your magnesium status is to simply contact your health care provider and request detailed magnesium testing. Yet magnesium assessment is typically done using blood serum testing, and these tests can be misleading. Only 1% of magnesium in the body is actually found in blood, and only .3% is found in blood serum, so clinical blood serum testing may not successfully identify magnesium deficiency.

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* What to do? Fortunately, it’s possible to get a sense of where your intake may lie simply by asking yourself a few questions about your lifestyle, and watching for certain signs and signals of low magnesium levels.   Learn how to read your signs below, and find out what you can do to ensure magnesium balance and good health. If you answer yes to any of the questions, under the 10 signs to look for, you may be at risk for low magnesium intake. First let’s ask this question:  

* How important is magnesium to life?  As Dr. Mark Sircus (Founder and director of the International Medical Veritas Association-IMVA) puts it….”it is the “Lamp of Life”. Magnesium is an element that is necessary for life in all living organisms, whether it be humans, animals or plants. Magnesium is an element that is involved in the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is vital to life on earth. Simply put, photosynthesis is the biochemical process in which plants, algae, and even some forms of bacteria, can capture and harness light energy from the sun, in order to produce food. Not only is this process of photosynthesis vital for life’s food and nourishment, it is also responsible for producing the oxygen that makes up a large portion of the earth’s atmosphere. In plant photosynthesis water too is needed. Water acts as a reducing agent. It goes without saying then, that just as there would be no human, animal and plant life on planet earth without water, food, and oxygen, to sustain life, the same is true if we did not have sunlight and the means to harness it through –photosynthesis   But where does the magnesium come in to play with photosynthesis? It’s the chlorophyll. What exactly is chlorophyll? It is the green pigment found in most plants, algae, and bacteria. Its’ name is derived from the Greek word meaning “green”, and the Greek word for “leaf”. The “green leaf” is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants.   Plants capture light primarily using the green pigment chlorophyll. Both chlorophyll and accessory pigments such as carotenoid and xanthophyll, are contained in compartments within the cell (organelles) called chloroplasts. It’s true that all the cells in the green part of the plant have chloroplasts, but it’s in the leaves where most of the suns’ light energy is captured and harnessed. The outer surface of the leaf is ◊

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coated with a water resistant waxy cuticle. This waxy water resistant outer surface has a transparent colorless epidermis layer that allows for the light to pass through to other cells where most of the photosynthesis takes place. Again, where does the magnesium come in? Magnesium is needed by plants to form chlorophyll. DR. SIRCUS MAKES IT KNOWN THAT:

” MAGNESIUM IS AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL.  MAGNESIUM IS THE CENTRAL ATOM OF THE PORPHYRIN RING OF CHLOROPHYLL. THIS MAKES MAGNESIUM THE UNSONG HERO THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANTS TO CONVERT THE SUN’S LIGHT ENERGY INTO CHEMICAL ENERGY IN THE FORM OF ATP AND NADPH TO BE USED BY THE PLANT”.  As Dr. Sircus puts it:

 “The whole basis of life and the food chain is seen in the sunlightchlorophyll-magnesium-connection. Chlorophyll systems convert energy from visible light into small energy-rich molecules easy for cells to use.”   Dr. Sircus again adds:

 “Magnesium is needed by plants to form chlorophyll…. Without magnesium sitting inside the heart of chlorophyll, plants would not be able to take nutrition from the sun because the process of photosynthesis would not go on.” (16)  (Dr. Sircus›s book «Transdermal Magnesium Therapy» is available to purchase on our «Burt›s Remedies» site.)   For more information on Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll click on to: http://www.solarnavigator.net/photosynthesis.htm http://www.thefreedictionary.com/photosynthesis  http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Photosynthesis  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis  http://www.eoearth.org/article/Photosynthesis 

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As Dr. Sircus emphasizes it: 

 ”Life packs the magnesium jealously into the cells”, and “every drop of it is important”.  Therefore, wouldn’t you like to read on and see how magnesium is involved with our body’s physiology?   Approximately 50 % of total body magnesium is found in the bone. The other half is found:

“predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs”’ Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood. Yet it must be noted that the body works very hard to keep these blood levels of magnesium constant.   Watch Videos on Magnesium http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Panm-YlZUPc  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUWL1o2hSrs  http://youtu.be/ZWh84YND7w4 http://youtu.be/1I0zVVvWgaM

If you haven’t heard much about magnesium and its importance to good health, now is the time to learn. And if it’s something you’ve always meant to look into, now is the time to take action! References for: “Magnesium Deficiency-Part II” “Introduction / Do I get enough magnesium?” (1) Combs GF, Nielsen FH. Health significance of calcium and magnesium: Examples from human studies. In: World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009. (2) Pao EM, Mickle SJ. Problem nutrients in the United States. Food Technology. 1981:35:58-79. (3) King DE, Mainous AG 3rd, Geesey ME, Woolson RF. Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition. 2005 Jun;24(3):166-71. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 6, 2009.  

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Article (2)

Signs Of Magnesium Deficiency * 10 Signs to Watch For: Diet  1. Do you drink carbonated beverages on a regular basis? Most dark colored sodas contain phosphates. These substances actually bind with magnesium inside the digestive tract, rendering it unavailable to the body. So even if you are eating a balanced diet, by drinking soda with your meals you are flushing magnesium out of your system.(4),(5),(6) The average consumption of carbonated beverages today is more than ten times what it was in 1940. (7)This skyrocketing increase is responsible for both reduced magnesium and calcium availability in the body. (8), (9)   2. Do you regularly eat pastries, cakes, desserts, candies or other sweet foods? Refined sugar is not only a zero magnesium product but it also causes the body to excrete magnesium through the kidneys. The process of producing refined sugar from sugar cane removes molasses, stripping the magnesium content entirely. And sugar does not simply serve to reduce magnesium levels. Sweet foods are known by nutritionists as “anti-nutrients”. Anti-nutrients like sweets are foods that replace whole nutritious foods in the diet, yet actually consume nutrients when digested, resulting in a net loss. Because all foods require vitamins and minerals to be consumed in order to power the process of digestion, it’s important to choose foods that “put back” vital nutrients, and then some. The more sweet foods and processed baked goods you have in your diet, the more likely you are deficient in magnesium and other vital nutrients.    3. Do you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks daily? Magnesium levels are controlled in the body in large part by the kidneys, which filter and excrete excess magnesium and other minerals. But caffeine causes the kidneys to release extra magnesium regardless of body status.

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If you drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soda regularly, your risk for magnesium deficiency is increased.  

Stress

 4. Do you experience a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently had a major medical procedure such as surgery?  Both physical and emotional stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency. Stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency, and a lack of magnesium tends to magnify the stress reaction, worsening the problem. In studies, adrenaline and cortisol, byproducts of the “fight or flight” reaction associated with stress and anxiety, were associated with decreased magnesium. (4) Because stressful conditions require more magnesium use by the body, all such conditions may lead to deficiency, including both psychological and physical forms of stress such as surgery, burns, and chronic disease.  

Drug Interactions 5. Do you take a diuretic, heart medication, asthma medication, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy? The effects of certain drugs have been shown to reduce magnesium levels in the body by increasing magnesium loss through excretion by the kidneys. See also: For a complete list of the specific drugs which can affect magnesium levels, read our article, Causes of a Lack of Magnesium.

6. Do you drink more than seven alcoholic beverages per week? The effect of alcohol on magnesium levels is similar to the effect of diuretics: it lowers magnesium available to the cells by increasing the excretion of magnesium by the kidneys. In studies, clinical magnesium deficiency was found in 30% of alcoholics.(10)

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Increased alcohol intake also contributes to decreased efficiency of the digestive system, as well as Vitamin D deficiency, both of which can contribute to low magnesium levels.(11)  

Other Reasons

7. Do you take calcium supplements without magnesium or calcium supplements with magnesium in less than a 1:1 ratio? Studies have shown that when magnesium intake is low, calcium supplementation may reduce magnesium absorption and retention. (12), (13), (14) and, whereas calcium supplementation can have negative effects on magnesium levels, magnesium supplementation actually improves the body’s use of calcium. (7)   Though many reports suggest taking calcium to magnesium in a 2:1 ratio, this figure is largely arbitrary. The ideal ratio for any individual will vary depending on current conditions as well as risk factors for deficiency.   However, several researchers now support 1:1 calcium to magnesium ratio for improved bone support and reduced risk of disease. This is due not only to the increased evidence pointing to widespread magnesium deficiency, but also concerns over the risk of arterial calcification when low magnesium stores are coupled with high calcium intake. According to noted magnesium researcher Mildred Seelig:

 “The body tends to retain calcium when in a magnesium-deficient state. Extra calcium intake at such a time could cause an abnormal rise of calcium levels inside the cells, including the cells of the heart and blood vessels… Given the delicate balance necessary between calcium and magnesium in the cells, it is best to be sure magnesium is adequate if you are taking calcium supplements.” (8) 8. Do you experience any of the following symptoms? ■■ Anxiety? ■■ Times of hyperactivity? ■■ Difficulty getting to sleep? ■■ Difficulty staying asleep?

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  The above symptoms may be neurological signs of magnesium deficiency. Adequate magnesium is necessary for nerve conduction and is also associated with electrolyte imbalances that affect the nervous system. Low magnesium is also associated with personality changes and sometimes depression.   9. Do you experience any of the following: ■■ Painful muscle spasms? ■■ Muscle cramping? ■■ Fibromyalgia? ■■ Facial tics? ■■ Eye twitches, or involuntary eye movements?   Neuromuscular symptoms such as these are among the classic signs of a potential magnesium deficit.   Without magnesium, our muscles would be in a constant state of contraction. Magnesium is a required element of muscle relaxation, and without it our muscles would be in a constant state of contraction. Calcium, on the other hand, signals muscles to contract. As noted in the book The Magnesium Factor, the two minerals are:

 “Two sides of a physiological coin; they have actions that oppose one another, yet they function as a team.” (8)  Chvostek’s Sign and Trousseau’s Sign are both clinical tests for involuntary muscle movements, and both may indicate either calcium or magnesium deficiency, or both. In fact, magnesium deficiency may actually appear as calcium deficiency in testing, and one of the first recommendations upon receiving low calcium test results is magnesium supplementation.   10. Did you answer yes to any of the above questions and are also age 55 or older? Older adults are particularly vulnerable to low magnesium status. It has been shown that aging, stress and disease all contribute to increasing magnesium needs, yet many older adults actually take in less magnesium from food sources than when they were younger. In addition, magnesium metabolism may be less efficient as we grow older, as it changes the GI tract and kidneys contribute to older adults absorbing less and retaining less magnesium. (15) ◊

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If you are above 55 and also showing lifestyle signs or symptoms related to low magnesium, it’s particularly important that you work to improve your magnesium intake. Whenbody stores of magnesium run low in our body, risks of overt hypomagnesaemia (magnesium deficiency) increase significantly.    In addition to this self-assessment test there are other tests (aside from blood tests which are not always accurate) to see if you are low on magnesium and other minerals such as the ExaTest, You will read more about this as you read on in this article.  

* How can you know for certain if you have a deficiency? Magnesium’s impact is so crucial and far reaching that symptoms of its absence reverberate throughout the body’s systems. This makes signs of its absence hard to pin down with absolute precision, even for cutting edge researchers. Doctors PilarArandaand Elena Planellsnoted this difficulty in their report at the International Magnesium Symposium of 2007:

 “The clinical manifestations of magnesium deficiency are difficult to define because depletion of this cation is associated with considerable abnormalities in the metabolism of many elements and enzymes. If prolonged, insufficient magnesium intake may be responsible for symptoms attributed to other causes, or whose causes are unknown.”  Among researchers, magnesium deficiency is known as the silent epidemic of our times, and it is widely acknowledged that definitive testing for deficiency remains elusive. Judy Driskell, Professor, Nutrition and Health Sciences at the University of Nebraska, refer to this “invisible deficiency” as chronic latent magnesium deficiency, and explains: 

“Normal serum and plasma magnesium concentrations have been found in individuals with low magnesium in [red blood cells] and tissues. Yet efforts to find an indicator of subclinical magnesium status have not yielded a cost-effective one that has been well validated.” (16)   Yet while the identification of magnesium deficiency may be unclear, its importance is undeniable. Magnesium activates over 300 enzyme reactions in the body, translating to thousands of biochemical reactions happening on a constant basis daily. Magnesium is crucial to nerve ◊

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transmission, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, energy production, nutrient metabolism and bone and cell formation.   Considering these varied and all-encompassing effects, not to mention the cascading effect magnesium levels have on other important minerals such as calcium and potassium, one thing is clear – long term low magnesium intake is something to be avoided.  

* What can you do to increase magnesium intake?  The Magnesium Miracle, by Carolyn Dean, M.D. N.D. If you mouse over the Magnesium Miracle book picture and hold the Ctrl key and then click, you will link to Amazon if you want to purchase Dr. Dean’s book. The longer your intake remains low, the more likelihood your bodily stores will be diminished, leaving you exposed to some of the more troubling side effects of long term deficiency. According to Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., and expert on magnesium therapy, adequate magnesium can improve heart health, prevent stroke and obesity, and improve mood and memory.   If you answered no to all of the above questions, you may be able to rely on high food sources of magnesium, like those described in our Burt’s Remedies article “Burt’s  Remedies Magnesium Part III” on “Magnesium in The Diet.”    Yet for many people, especially those with diseases and symptoms with low magnesium, active magnesium supplementation may be a crucial element of returning to good health.   In her book, The Magnesium Miracle, Dr. Dean notes that achieving adequate magnesium through foods is notoriously difficult, stating:

“I’m convinced that to get enough magnesium today, you need to take supplements.” (4) Transdermal magnesium does not have the side effects of oral supplements. One of the most effective ways to improve your magnesium levels is to combine a healthy diet with transdermal magnesium. (See our articles on “Burt’s Remedies Topical Transdermal Mineral Magnesium Oil Parts VI, VII and VIII”) 

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Many of the factors which contribute to low magnesium stores are caused by inefficiencies of the GI tract. By delivering magnesium through the skin directly to the cells, topical magnesium products bypass many of the problems associated with low magnesium absorption. In older adults, reduced gastric acid levels in the digestive system may be a factor in reduced mineral availability. Hydrochloric acid supplements may be combined with magnesium to combat this dilemma; however a simpler and less expensive option is the use of magnesium chloride supplements. Magnesium chloride has been proven to have a high bioavailability, while simultaneously providing the chloride necessary for healthy digestion and vitamin and mineral absorption.   Magnesium researcher Mildred Seelig has called magnesium:

“the silent guardian of our hearts and arteries” and “necessary for life”. Dr. Carolyn Dean calls it:

“the missing link to total health”.

* Signs of Magnesium Deficiency The classic physical signs of low magnesium are: (1), (2), (3) Neurological:

Impaired muscle coordination (ataxia)

Behavioral disturbances

Tremors

Irritability and anxiety

Involuntary eye movements and vertigo

Lethargy

Difficulty swallowing

Impaired memory and cognitive function

Metabolic:

Anorexia or loss of appetite

Increased intracellular calcium

Nausea and vomiting

Hyperglycemia

Seizures

Calcium deficiency

Muscular:

Potassium deficiency

Weakness

Cardiovascular:

Muscle spasms (tetany)

Irregular or rapid heartbeat

Tics

Coronary spasms

Muscle cramps

Among children:

Hyperactive reflexes

Growth retardation or “failure to thrive”

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Watch Videos on Magnesium Deficiency http://youtu.be/3wtUn1gWgaw http://youtu.be/1I0zVVvWgaM http://youtu.be/y8FUxg2usFk

References for: “Magnesium Deficiency Part II” “Signs of Magnesium Deficiency and its Importance to life”  (1) Combs GF, Nielsen FH. Health significance of calcium and magnesium: Examples from human studies. In: World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009. (2) Pao EM, Mickle SJ. Problem nutrients in the United States. Food Technology. 1981:35:58-79. (3) King DE, Mainous AG 3rd, Geesey ME, Woolson RF. Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition. 2005 Jun;24(3):166-71. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 6, 2009. (4)  Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007. (5) Weiss GH, Sluss PM, Linke CA. Changes in urinary magnesium, citrate and oxalate levels due to cola consumption. Urology 1992;39:331-3.  (6) Brink E. J., Beynen A. C., Dekker P. R., Beresteijn E.C.H., Meer R. Interaction of calcium and phosphate decreases ileal magnesium solubility and apparent magnesium absorption. The Journal of Nutrition. 1992; 122:580-586 (7) Vartanian L, Schwartz, M, Brownell, K. Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Public Health. 2007;97(4):667-675. (8) Seelig M, Rosanoff A. The Magnesium Factor. New York: Avery Books; 2003. (9)  Heaney RP, Rafferty K. Carbonated beverages and urinary calcium excretion. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2001; 74:343–347. (10)  Irwin R, Rippe J. Irwin and Rippe’s Intensive Care Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2008. (11)  Shane SR, Flink EB. Magnesium deficiency in alcohol addiction and withdrawal. Magnesium and trace elements. 1991-1992;10(2-4):263-8. (12) Wester PO. Magnesium. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1987; 45:1305-12. (13) Norman DA, Fordtran JS, Brinkley U, et al. Jejunal and ileal adaptation to alterations in dietary calcium. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1981 ;67: 1599-603. (14) Seelig MS. The requirement of magnesium by the normal adult: Summary and analysis of published data. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1964;14:342-90. (15) Bernstein A, Luggen AS. Nutrition for the Older Adult. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2010. (16) Driskell J. Nutrition and Exercise Concerns of Middle Age. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2009.  (16)  Sircus M.  Transdermal Magnesium Therapy. Chandler Arizona: Phaelos Books; 2007

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Magnesium Deficiency Part 3 The articles include: (1) Introduction...35 (2) Statistics on magnesium deficiency...37 (3) Why are many magnesium deficiencies not recognized?...39 (4) Correcting widespread deficiencies: An urgent matter...44

Article (1)

Introduction Magnesium deficiency in humans can be mild or severe, and studies suggest it is more and more common. Reports published by the World Health Organization have estimated that three quarters of Americans do not meet the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of magnesium. (1) How serious is this problem? Average magnesium intake in the U.S. has dwindled to less than half what it was a century ago: ■■ In the year 1900: 500 mg per day ■■ Today: 175-225 mg per day (2) A magnesium poor diet in America is the norm, not the exception. The average American diet supplies less than two thirds of the magnesium required by the body. (1), (2) Yet each person is individual, not only in their intake of magnesium, but also in their ability to absorb and utilize this key mineral. Magnesium deficiency has far-reaching impacts on health and well-being. Evidence has linked insufficient intake to a variety of conditions and symptoms, from simple irritability to chronic pain to life-threatening disease.   Get the facts on magnesium deficiency in Burt’s Remedies articles on “Magnesium Deficiency” Parts I and II   Magnesium Deficiency (General information) in Part I   Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms in Part II A complete list of the symptoms of low magnesium, including both neurological and muscular effects such as depression, fatigue, muscle cramps and abnormal heart rhythms.   Magnesium Deficiency Causes in Part II Even those with a balanced diet rich in magnesium sources can suffer from deficiencies. Learn about the risk factors for deficiency.   Magnesium Deficiency Signs  (10 Signs to watch for) in Part II Get a sense of where your intake may lie simply by asking yourself a few questions.

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References for: “Magnesium Deficiency Part 3”/ “Introduction” (1) Combs GF, Nielsen FH. Health significance of calcium and magnesium: Examples from human studies. In: World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009. (2) Pao EM, Mickle SJ. Problem nutrients in the United States. Food Technology. 1981:35:58-79.  

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Article (2)

Statistics

on

Magnesium Deficiency

With the current U.S. adult RDA (Required Daily Amount) of magnesium of 320-420 mg per day (3) the average American’s intake is only slightly more than half the minimum amount of magnesium

required to function effectively (2). In fact, even this drastic figure may be an understatement. Many medical researchers find the RDA figures inadequate to prevent deficiencies of magnesium and chronic disease. (4)   Optimal Daily Intake was set at 500-750 mg for men and women, nearly double the current RDA. For example, The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book, a bestseller now in its fourth edition, establishes ODI, “Optimal Daily Intake” amounts — amounts necessary not just to prevent overt deficiency but to maintain optimal health and prevent disease.   Based on the authors’ thorough reviews of the scientific and medical literature and their work in clinical nutrition, the ODI for magnesium was set at 500-750 mg for men and women, nearly double the current RDA. (5) Interestingly, these amounts are closer to the amounts commonly consumed before mass agricultural and food processing practices were taken up in the West.   By these estimations, modern deficiencies are both far more common and far more severe.   Other Western countries today exhibit similar deficiencies. In France, a study found that over 70% of men and nearly 80% of women were magnesium-deficient in their diets. (6)   In Finland, authorities were so convinced of the impact of magnesium deficiency on heart health that its government instituted a nationwide campaign to increase magnesium intake through magnesium salt substitutes. Finland’s death rates due to heart-related issues fell from number one in the world to down to 10th. (7)   The following chart compares mean intake of magnesium in various countries with the recommended daily intake from three sources. In no case is the average intake sufficient to meet even the lowest recommended intake.  

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Average  

US RDA

Daily Magne- (420 mg *)

DASH diet

Lieberman ODI

(500 mg**)

(750 mg ***)

sium Intake 212 mg

% Supplied 50%

% Supplied 42%

% Supplied 28%

Canada

244 mg

58%

49%

33%

France

330 mg

79%

66%

44%

Guam

270 mg

64%

54%

36%

Israel

249 mg

59%

50%

33%

South Africa

257 mg

61%

51%

34%

U.S.

 Sources: (1), (2), (3), (5) * RDA for adult males over 31 ** DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) *** Optimal Daily Intake of 500-750 mg for men and women, 500-1000 suggested for those suffering from angina or osteoporosis

References for: “Magnesium Deficiency Part 3”/ “Statistics on Magnesium Deficiency” (1) Combs GF, Nielsen FH. Health significance of calcium and magnesium: Examples from human studies. In: World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009. (2) Pao EM, Mickle SJ. Problem nutrients in the United States. Food Technology. 1981:35:58-79. (3) King DE, Mainous AG 3rd, Geesey ME, Woolson RF. Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition. 2005 Jun;24(3):166-71. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 6, 2009. (4)  Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007. (5) Weiss GH, Sluss PM, Linke CA. Changes in urinary magnesium, citrate and oxalate levels due to cola consumption. Urology 1992;39:331-3.  (6) Brink E. J., Beynen A. C., Dekker P. R., Beresteijn E.C.H., Meer R. Interaction of calcium and phosphate decreases ileal magnesium solubility and apparent magnesium absorption. The Journal of Nutrition. 1992; 122:580-586 (7) Vartanian L, Schwartz, M, Brownell, K. Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Public Health. 2007;97(4):667-675.

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Article (3)

Why

are many magnesium deficiencies not recognized?

While some signs and signals of depleted magnesium are more obvious, a wide variety of mild symptoms may indicate a subclinical deficiency. Reasons for magnesium depletion can include dietary, environmental, and drug-related factors.   Despite its prevalence, magnesium deficiencies often go unnoticed, undiagnosed, and untreated by health professionals, even when symptoms are present. Why?   Experts have offered a few possible explanations:  

Explanation #1: Accurate magnesium tests are not available. The accepted method of testing for human magnesium deficiency by the American Medical Association is the serum magnesium test, which assesses the amount of magnesium found in the blood. However, studies have shown that, within the bounds of normal blood levels set for magnesium by the AMA, true magnesium deficiencies still occur. Watch these videos on Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium Deficiency - No Test Required - Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD: Magnesium is grossly deficient in the great majority of people existing on modern diets. The clinical situation is so bad that when it comes to magnesium people with chronic diseases can be sure that their magnesium levels will be very low. This means that they will respond exceptionally well to treatments with magnesium chloride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXhUeRFE-kg&feature=share&list=PLAAA2CA67255804FF& index=3 Dr. Ronald Elin, M.D. Ph.D., of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Louisville has stated:

“Serum and red blood cell magnesium concentrations have been shown to be poor predictors of intracellular magnesium concentration.” (1)   The inability of serum magnesium tests to diagnose magnesium depletion accurately is due to the fact that only 1% of the magnesium found in the body is actually located in the blood. And, ◊

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as the body works with superior efficiency to keep the blood supply within a tight constant, even those with outright magnesium deficits can test within “normal” ranges.   Doctors Dierck-HartmutandDierck-EkkehardLiebscher have examined closely the use of blood serum testing in magnesium deficiency diagnosis and have found fault specifically with the critical values used to differentiate deficiency from “normal” magnesium levels. Their report, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, finds that as many as 50% of cases of deficiency may go untreated due to errors in reading serum magnesium reports. (8)

 It has been noted that as many as 50% of cases of deficiency may go untreated. This can be due to errors in reading serum magnesium reports.   New methods of magnesium testing are under continuous development, such as the ExaTest offered by Intracellular Diagnosics of California.  

Yet many practitioners are not familiar with these methods and their price places them out of reach of many medical researchers. Until a more accurate and affordable method of assessing deficiency in magnesium is more widely employed, only a handful of physicians will have the tools necessary to accurately diagnose the need for magnesium therapy, and provide it for those who truly need it.   This leaves those who may suspect a deficiency with only a few choices: ■■ Seek out some of the more advanced, and sometimes more costly, magnesium testing available today, ■■ Or, proactively supplement with magnesium in order to test its effect. ■■ Fortunately, magnesium supplementation is both safe and recommended by the leading magnesium experts. ■■ Learn about types of magnesium supplements in Burt’s Remedies articles “Magnesium Part II, III and Burt’s Remedies Topical Transdermal Mineral Magnesium Oil-Part II” onhow to choose the best one for you. Also in these articles you can read about how transdermal magnesium therapy bypasses the G.I. tract.

Explanation #2: Magnesium “assists” other functions.  Another reason for a lack of awareness of magnesium deficiency may actually be the breadth of magnesium’s influence on so many of the body’s systems—the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, ◊

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and muscular systems, to name a few. ■■ Because it operates on a cellular level as a “key” to over hundreds of biochemical reactions, symptoms of deficiency may overlap those of alternate causes. ■■ Similarly, symptoms may not exclusively identify a deficiency in magnesium as a cause.   A lack of clarity in identifying magnesium deficiency as a sole cause of symptoms may cause some doctors to look elsewhere. Yet many experts recommend the opposite approach: investigating the possibility of magnesium supplementation—a safe, natural, and essential nutrient—before employing other possible treatments.   When discussing pharmaceutical treatments for migraine headaches, for example, Dr. Jay Cohen, an expert on prescription drugs and their side effects, states:

 “Of all the nutritional and non-drug methods that people can adopt to prevent and treat migraine headaches, magnesium supplementation ranks first.” (9) 

Explanation #3: Magnesium cannot be patented.  Authors and researchers, when writing about magnesium, consistently lament the lack of awareness among doctors of its potential therapeutic applications. The same can be said for an awareness among doctors of the benefits of nutrition in general.  Dr. Jay Cohen, in his book The Magnesium Solution for Migraines and Headaches, writes about his experience attending the Gordon Research Conference, an international conference of magnesium researchers and scientists. He explains:

 “One of the concerns of the experts at this conference was the difficulty in getting information about magnesium into the hands of everyday practitioners. Without the resources of a drug company for advertising, free seminars, and sales representatives carrying studies and samples to doctors’ offices, it can be very difficult to get independent information into doctors’ awareness.” (9)  

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The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book, a bestseller now in its fourth edition, explains very plainly the advantage of pharmaceutical information over nutritional information in its dissemination to the medical community:

 

”It’s all about the money, and the vast majority of dietary supplements are not patentable… It costs more than $400 million to bring a new drug to market — a number out of the reach of any dietary supplement company. And even with great research, supplement companies lack the funds to compete with the billions spent on advertising and lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry.” (5)   Medical doctors are trained more heavily in the actions of prescription medications than they are in basic nutrition. When they do enter medical practice a major source of their ongoing education is pharmaceutical companies’ pamphlets and information provided by sales representatives. In many cases, vitamin and mineral treatments may be investigated prior to resorting to drugs. But pharmaceutical companies have no vested interest in accompanying their literature with information about these alternatives.   Yet developments are being made. Researchers like those at the Gordon Conference continue to study the benefits of magnesium, and worldwide organizations have made inroads to public awareness. ■■ In 2006, the World Health Organization hosted a panel following the International Symposium on Health Aspects of Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water, to examine the potential health benefits of increasing magnesium and calcium levels in worldwide water supplies. Their consensus report acknowledged the evidence for a protective relationship between magnesium, heart health and diabetes. (1) ■■ In March 2005, the George and Patsy Eby Foundation provided funding to distribute 1000 copies of The Magnesium Miracle andThe Magnesium Factorto members of Congress.

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References for: “Magnesium Deficiency Part 3” “Why are many magnesium deficiencies not recognized?” (1) Combs GF, Nielsen FH. Health significance of calcium and magnesium: Examples from human studies. In: World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009. (2) Pao EM, Mickle SJ. Problem nutrients in the United States. Food Technology. 1981:35:58-79. (3) King DE, Mainous AG 3rd, Geesey ME, Woolson RF. Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition. 2005 Jun;24(3):166-71. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 6, 2009. (4)  Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007. (5) Weiss GH, Sluss PM, Linke CA. Changes in urinary magnesium, citrate and oxalate levels due to cola consumption. Urology 1992;39:331-3.  (9)  Heaney RP, Rafferty K. Carbonated beverages and urinary calcium excretion. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.2001; 74:343–347.

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 Article (4)

Correcting Widespread Deficiencies: An Urgent Matter In his Letter to Congress, George Eby, of the Eby Research Institute, stressed the urgency of correcting America’s severe magnesium deficiency:

 «If these errors were corrected, I believe millions of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars in cardiac health-care costs would be saved.” (10)   Controlled trials continue to be called for toward answering the question of whether magnesium

supplementation can truly alter the course of diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Yet clear scientific evidence, such as that found in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, have shown that low dietary and serum magnesium levels do correlate with a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. (11)  

Even beyond its potential role in preventing these widespread conditions, magnesium quietly continues to alter the state of well-being of millions.   Those who suffer from magnesium deficiency experience a wide range of symptoms that can vary from low level to debilitating. And those who choose to correct their deficiencies commonly experience a long sought-after respite from conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, low energy and insomnia.

 Considering that an estimated 75% of Americans are magnesium deficient (1), and 19% of Americans consume less than half of the magnesium necessary for health (12), the bulk of evidence points to magnesium supplementation as a pivotal aspect of optimal and preventive health.  How much magnesium do you need? Where can you get it? Read about sources of magnesium in Burt’s Remedies information pertaining to Magnesium in the Diet found in Burt’s Remedies article “Magnesium Part III”.  

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How do you choose a magnesium supplementation? Learn how to sort out the good from the bad, in Burt’s Remedies article “Magnesium Part I” and Burt’s Remedies article “Burt’s Remedies Topical Mineral Magnesium Oil-Parts VI, VII, and VIII”. References for: “Magnesium Deficiency Part 4” “Statistics on Magnesium Deficiency” (10)  Irwin R, Rippe J. Irwin and Rippe’s Intensive Care Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2008. (11)  Shane SR, Flink EB. Magnesium deficiency in alcohol addiction and withdrawal. Magnesium and trace elements. 1991-1992;10(2-4):263-8. (12) Wester PO. Magnesium.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1987; 45:1305-12.

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Magnesium Deficiency Part 4 Magnesium Deficiency Causes The articles include: (1) Introduction...47 (2) Magnesium depletion in healthy individuals can be caused by: ...48 (a) Depletion of Magnesium in the Diet (b) Soft Water (c) Calcium Supplements (3) Some conditions can increase vulnerability to deficiency, including:...51 (a) Alcohol and Other Addictions (b) Aging, Illness and Stress (c) Digestive and genetic disorders (4) Know Your Risk Factors...53

Article (1)

Introduction A magnesium poor diet in America is the norm, not the exception. The average American diet supplies less than two thirds of the magnesium required by the body. (1), (2) Yet each person is individual, not only in their intake of magnesium, but also in their ability to absorb and utilize this key mineral. The question of what causes low magnesium is in some ways easy to answer when examining modern eating habits. A visit to the local supermarket finds cashiers unable to identify basic green vegetables such as kale, chard, and mustard greens, all high in magnesium. It is not uncommon to find adults and children who state, “I don’t eat things that are green.” Fried foods such as chips and French fries have replaced healthy finger foods such as nuts and seeds. And millions around the world have entirely replaced their consumption of mineral-containing water with the consumption of carbonated beverages and coffee—drinks which actually reduce available magnesium through their high phosphate and sugar content and diuretic properties. Each of these common eating habits compounds to create a general lack of magnesium in the diet. The consequences of the American diet on magnesium status are direct: ■■ A high-saturated fat diet reduces magnesium absorption in the intestines. (4),(5) ■■ High sugar intake increases excretion of magnesium by the kidneys. (3), (4) ■■ Phosphates found in carbonated beverages such as dark-colored sodas bind magnesium, rendering it unusable by the body.

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Magnesium

depletion in healthy individuals can be caused by:

(a) Depletion of Magnesium in the Diet/ Low Magnesium Diets/Processed Foods and Sodas The typical American diet, which is rich in fat, sugar, salt, synthetic vitamin D, phosphates, protein, and supplemented calcium, not only is deficient in magnesium but actually increases the need for magnesium in the body.” (3) Magnesium-rich foods include whole grains, leafy greens, nuts and seeds. Foods like these were once common in diets around the world, but an increase in both food processing and the availability of enticing convenience foods with added fats and sugars has had its impact. Whole and unrefined foods high in magnesium are becoming increasingly rare in the modern diet. Read more: Learn about the good sources of magnesium. See Burt’s Remedies What is Magnesium? / Forms of magnesium / Why we need it Part III-”Magnesium in the Diet” / “The Good Sources of Magnesium in Food”.

(b) Soft Water and Magnesium In areas with high mineral water content, increased magnesium consumption has been shown to have positive effects on health. Similarly, soft water sources have been shown to reduce magnesium intake, and in some cases may contribute to magnesium deficiency. 6, 7 A symposium held by the World Health Organization in 2009 brought together scientists and medical professionals to review scientific evidence for the impact of calcium and magnesium in drinking water. Magnesium and health experts examined whether water softening may be a factor in what causes magnesium deficiency throughout the world, and considered what recommendations should be made as to softening and/or supplementation of global water supplies. The symposium made clear acknowledgement of the benefit of magnesium in drinking water to public health. Directly addressing heart health specifically, it was stated: The studies do show a [protective effect] between cardiovascular mortality and drinking-water magnesium. Although this association does not necessarily demonstrate causality, it is consistent with the well-known effects of magnesium on cardiovascular function. (8)

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Water softening is often done to improve the household cleaning properties of water, yet doing so removes a valuable source of magnesium—one that can provide as much as 50% of the RDA in some parts of the world. Increasingly, municipal water sources remove magnesium as a part of water treatment, though some municipal sources do re-supplement water supplies after softening. Depletion of magnesium at the source can be a significant factor in low magnesium status. Experts advise: 1. Contacting local government resources to determine the magnesium content of your water supply. 2. Seeking a magnesium content of at least 10-30% of RDA per two liters (68 fluid oz.), or a minimum content of approximately 130 ppm or mg/L. 3. Actively supplementing magnesium in cases where water magnesium content is low.

(c) Calcium Supplements Excess Calcium and Magnesium: Magnesium deficiency’s causes can also include supplementation of other competing vitamins and nutrients. Today many people, especially women, supplement with calcium to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.

Calcium cannot be effectively utilized or absorbed without adequate magnesium. Yet widespread knowledge of the need for calcium is, unfortunately, not accompanied by a widespread knowledge of the need for magnesium. As a result, many are actively depleting their magnesium stores without realizing it—through their supplementation with calcium. An overabundance of calcium increases the body’s need for magnesium. And calcium cannot be effectively utilized or absorbed without adequate magnesium. It is commonly recommended to take calcium and magnesium supplements at a 2:1 ratio. However, according to several magnesium experts a 1:1 ratio (or even a ratio that favors magnesium) can sometimes be advisable, especially when certain conditions or illnesses or present, or when the diet is skewed excessively toward calcium intake, as is the case with many American diets. (3), (4)

(d) Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medications Medications That Can Cause Magnesium Deficiency Among the known magnesium deficiency causes are prescription medications such as diuretics, antibiotics, painkillers and cortisone, which can deplete magnesium levels in the body by impairing absorption or by increasing excretion by the kidneys.

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Some specific medications that increase excretion of magnesium and/or increase the body’s magnesium requirements are: ■■ Certain antibiotics such as Garamycin, tobramycin (Nebcin), carbenicillin, ticaricillin, amphotericin B and antibiotics of the tetracycline class ■■ The anti-fungal drug Pentamidine, used to prevent and treat pneumonia ■■ Estrogen, found in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy ■■ Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone ■■ Diuretics such as Edercrin, Lasix, mannitol, and thiazides (with names commonly ending in -zide) ■■ Certain heart failure medications including digitalis, digoxin (Lanoxin), Qunidex, and Cordarone ■■ Medications used to treat irregular heartbeat, such as Cordarone (amiodarone), bretylium, quinidine (Cardioquin) and sotalol (Betapace) ■■ The anti-cancer drug Platinol, and other immunosuppressant drugs such as Neoral and Sandimmune ■■ Antineoplastics, used in chemotherapy, and radiation ■■ Asthma medications such as epinephrine, isoproterenol and aminophylline ■■ The antipsychotic and antischizophrenic drugs Pimozide (Orap), Mellaril and Stelazine4

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Some

conditions can increase vulnerability to deficiency, including:

(a) Alcohol and other Addictions Addiction, Alcoholism and Magnesium Depletion: In cases of addiction or alcoholism, low intake and absorption can cause magnesium deficiency. Complications such as liver disease, vomiting and diarrhea reduce body levels of magnesium, and treatment of addiction may in fact further complicate issues when withdrawal is experienced. In some cases, intravenous magnesium replacement is warranted during severe alcohol withdrawal. (9)

(b) Illness, Stress and Aging as Causes of Low Magnesium Stressful conditions require more magnesium by the body, thus those experiencing these conditions are more susceptible to magnesium deficiency. Examples include: ■■ Surgery ■■ Burns ■■ Liver disease ■■ Diabetes ■■ Hormonal imbalances These conditions not only increase the body’s need for magnesium, but also may reduce stomach acid levels, reducing the body’s ability to break down foods and supplements into an absorbable form. Magnesium’s bioavailability is vulnerable to a reduction in hydrochloric acid, because many forms of magnesium must be broken down into an ionic form in the digestive tract to be used by the body. The natural process of aging also reduces stomach acid levels and is associated with reduced absorption of magnesium. Once broken down in the stomach, magnesium must be absorbed in the small intestine. The level of absorption is also known to be affected by an individual’s state of health, as well as the presence of other minerals such as iron and calcium, which can impede magnesium absorption.

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See also: Learn about magnesium chloride a highly soluble form of magnesium that supports healthy chloride levels in the GI tract. See Burt’s Remedies What is Magnesium? / Forms of magnesium / Why we need it Part IV-“Magnesium chloride-The Master Magnesium Compound”

(c) Digestive and Genetic Disorders Diseases of Magnesium Mal-absorption and Depletion: Digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease, genetic diseases and other conditions may cause magnesium wasting by the kidneys or problems with absorption. For such individuals, higher intakes of magnesium are required to replace amounts lost. Some syndromes associated with problems of magnesium absorption include: ■■ Crohn’s disease ■■ Celiac sprue

■■ Patients undergoing ileal (intestinal) resection or ileal bypass for treatment of obesity

■■ Whipple’s disease

■■ Terminal ileal diseases

■■ Short bowel syndrome

■■ Tubular disorders

■■ Intestinal mucosal diseases

■■ Congenital renal (kidney) magnesium wasting

■■ Intestinal lymphangiectasia

■■ Interstitial nephritis

■■ Cystic fibrosis

■■ Acute tubular necrosis

■■ Cholestatic liver disease

■■ Drug-induced tubular injury (e.g. aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cisplatin)

■■ Pancreatic insufficiency ■■ Radiation enteritis ■■ Systemic mastocytosis

■■ Kidney transplant ■■ Renal tubular acidosis ■■ Bartter’s syndrome

Disorders such as these may be difficult to diagnose, though chronic deficiency symptoms such as muscle cramping, fatigue, irritability or high blood pressure may be an indication of magnesium depletion when accompanied by adequate dietary magnesium intake. In addition, severe diabetic ketoacidosis may be a cause of hypo-magnesemia. In these cases, extreme insulin deficiency leads to breakdown of compounds within the cells, releasing magnesium and excreting it from the body. Read more: See a complete list of the Burt’s Remedies Magnesium Deficiency Part I including-“Symptoms of Low Magnesium Deficiency”

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Know Your Risk Factors Due to an inability to accurately test body magnesium content, it is unknown exactly how many Americans are currently magnesium deficient, nor how many persons are deficient worldwide. Current tests focus on serum magnesium, which has been shown inadequate to pinpoint the existence or non-existence of a potential bodily deficiency. Since only 1% of bodily magnesium is stored in the blood, low blood magnesium cause and effect does not necessarily overlap magnesium deficiency cause and effect. Alternate magnesium tests do exist, such as challenge testing, load testing, and the more recent ExaTest, but these are less commonly adopted by health professionals. Because of this difficulty in diagnosing magnesium deficiency, many doctors and health providers will consider not just test results and current symptoms, but also risk factors when addressing the possibility of magnesium deficiency. For individuals considering their own magnesium status, the key is knowing both: ■■ The Causes of magnesium deficiency (described in Magnesium Deficiency Part 4 “Magnesium Deficiency Causes”) ■■ The Signs of Magnesium Deficiency including tell-tale symptoms and conditions in Burt’s Remedies article Magnesium Deficiency Part 2.

By understanding the causes of a lack of magnesium, it’s possible for each of us to make proactive individual decisions on whether to supplement this commonly deficient essential mineral. For persons without kidney disease, magnesium supplementation has no side effects other than loose stools when taken orally, indicating a need to reduce dosage. (2)

References for: Magnesium Deficiency Part 4 “Magnesium Deficiency Causes” 1) Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1997. 2) Altura BM, Altura BT. Magnesium: Forgotten Mineral in Cardiovascular Biology and Therogenesis. In: International Magnesium Symposium. New Perspectives in Magnesium Research. London: Springer-Verlag; 2007:239-260. 3) Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007. 4) Seelig M, Rosanoff A. The Magnesium Factor. New York: Avery; 2003. 5) Ovesen L, Chu R, Howard L. The influence of dietary fat on jejunostomy output in patients with severe short bowel syndrome. The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition [serial online]. August 1983;38(2):270-277. Available from: MEDLINE

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with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 26, 2009. 6) Flink EB. Nutritional aspects of magnesium metabolism. Western Journal of Medicine. 1980;133:304-312. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1272307/pdf/westjmed00230-0028.pdf. Accessed October 31, 2009. 7) Anderson TW, Neri LC, Schreiber GB et al. Ischemic heart disease, water hardness and myocardial magnesium. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 1975;113:199-203. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC1956535/pdf/canmedaj01540-0035.pdf. Accessed October 31, 2009. 8) World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009. 9) Berkelhammer C, Bear R. A clinical approach to common electrolyte problems: 4. Hypomagnesemia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. February 15, 1985;132(4):360-368. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC1345822/pdf/canmedaj00255-0058.pdf. Accessed October 31, 2009.

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