I first heard of magnesium during chemistry classes at high school when we burned magnesium ribbon in the laboratory.
According to Julian Whitaker MD head of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in California, “magnesium relaxes and dilates blood vessels thus improving circulation and lowering blood pressure. It can prevent spasms in the heart muscle and coronary arteries, a common cause of angina and heart attack. Magnesium can also smooth out cardiac rhythm problems and help to prevent blood clots. Inflammation is now known to be a significant risk factor for heart disease and many doctors now order a routine blood test for levels of C-Reactive Protein, a marker of inflammation, and guess what, our unsung mineral hero helps to lower CRP.”
When it comes to myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack, several trials have demonstrated a protective effect of magnesium against heart muscle injury. A study involving 200 people given intravenous magnesium immediately after a heart attack show a lowering of the death rate by 74% and review of seven other studies showed it cut the death rate by 50%.
In pregnancy, adequate magnesium levels are clearly important. Several studies indicate a low intake or tissue store is associated with a greater risk of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Favourable results have been reported with 80% of 3000 women being given 200mg of magnesium daily. In a double-blind study of 255 expectant mothers randomly selected to receive 300mg of magnesium, pre-term delivery rate was significantly lower in the supplemented group versus the control group.
Magnesium also comes to the rescue of migraine sufferers. Researchers from the State University of New York treated 49 patients with migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches with an IV infusion of 1g of magnesium. Within 15 minutes, 80% of them had complete resolution of pain, nausea and sensitivity to light.
The list goes on to include asthma, where new research supports a role for inhaled magnesium. Those who suffer with restless legs, Raynaud’s Syndrome, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia could well find a friend in magnesium.
And then there’s diabetes. Once again magnificent magnesium comes to the rescue. Dr Jerry Nadler, chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Virginia, says that a low dietary intake of magnesium can encourage insulin resistance, the precursor to diabetes.
In a study, Dr Nadler placed patients on a magnesium deficient diet for just three weeks. Not only did the cells become deficient in magnesium, the insulin became less capable of transporting glucose from the blood into cells. Dr Nadler’s message was clear. You can cause insulin resistance in people who do not have diabetes – just deprive them of magnesium.
It’s not easy to test magnesium levels. This could explain why a magnesium deficiency can go undetected and is so common.
Not only is it highly likely that we cannot obtain adequate magnesium from our food, there are many ways we can exacerbate the problem. Alcohol has a dramatic effect on magnesium levels. Alcohol and caffeine promote urinary excretion of magnesium as do some pharmaceutical drugs, while others can inhibit its absorption. Emotional and physical stress can also deplete the body’s stores. Excessive sweating during athletic training can cause significant mineral loss.
I take magnesium daily after dinner in the form of magnesium malate powder which I simply stir into water. Magnesium is the ‘sleep’ mineral. Anyone having difficulty getting off to sleep could get some help from magnesium. An Epsom Salt bath before bed can be a very helpful and extremely relaxing way to increase magnesium levels. Epsom Salt is magnesium sulphate.
Dr Thomas Levy’s extremely well researched and very enlightening new book on magnesium is available on www.Amazon.com. (JOHN APPLETON)
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