Magnesium
What Is It?
Henry Wicker, a farmer from Epsom first discovered magnesium in 1618. It was recognised as an element in 1755 by Joseph Black, a Scottish physician and chemist. It was isolated in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy, a Cornish chemist and given the name ‘Magnium’ later to be changed to Magnesium from the Greek work ‘Magnesia’ a district of Thessaly.
Magnesium is a macro mineral and the second most abundant element inside the human cells. Magnesium’s role is predominantly regulatory. Magnesium regulates more than 325 enzymes in the body, the most important of which produce, transport and utilize energy. The human body requires magnesium in large amounts.
Around 60% of magnesium is housed in our skeleton with 27% in muscle the remaining is in the rest of the body including teeth and tissue cells as well as body fluids.
The highest concentration is in the heart and brain cells, so a major symptom of deficiency can affect the heart and the brain. Magnesium also supports our adrenal glands, which are overworked by stress.
Alcohol, diuretics, fluoride, high levels of zinc and calcium in milk, fats, oxalates, proteins and phytate in bread can deplete magnesium increasing the body’s need.
Why Do We Need It?
For converting energy from food, building strong bones, teeth, muscles and regulating body temperature. Insulin secretion and function requires magnesium, it assists in the absorption of calcium, vitamin C and potassium. Most people with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia improve by 50% when they increase their magnesium intake.
Without magnesium, muscle and nerve function are compromised and energy diminished. Sleep regulating melatonin production is disturbed without sufficient magnesium.
Serotonin (which elevates mood) is dependent on magnesium for its production and function. A magnesium deficient brain is also more susceptible to allergens, foreign substances that in rare illness can cause symptoms similar to mental illness.
Magnesium can help maintain a healthy prostate, prevent kidney stones and regulate the thyroid. It also helps improve urine retention so helpful controlling incontinence in the elderly and bed wetting in children.
Deficiency Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency can produce symptoms of anxiety, depression, muscle weakness, fatigue, eye twitches, insomnia, anorexia, apathy, apprehension, poor memory, confusion, anger, nervousness and a rapid pulse.
Some digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, prolonged diarrhoea have been associated with magnesium deficiency.
Certain foods contain chemicals that block absorption of magnesium and there is evidence that a high protein diet only makes magnesium deficiency worse. Tannin in tea binds and removes all minerals including magnesium from the body. Oxalic acid in spinach, chard and phytic acid can form insoluble compounds with magnesium and other minerals causing them to be eliminated rather than absorbed, so sometime steaming can be better than raw.
Where Can We Find It?
Almonds, beans, greens, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, apple, apricots, avocado, banana, cantaloupe, figs, garlic, grapefruit, green leafy veg, kelp, lemon, peach, sesame seeds, watercress.
Herbs that contain magnesium include: alfalfa, cayenne, chamomile, fennel seed, fenugreek, liquorice, paprika, parsley, peppermint, sage, and shepherds purse.
Be-Aware:
Fluoride seeks out minerals such as magnesium and binds with it making magnesium unavailable to the body and unable to do its work.
Magnesium levels are easily depleted by stress.
People with Kidney disease should seek medical advice before taking magnesium supplements.
A protein called phosvitin, found in the yolk of eggs, can bind magnesium cells preventing absorption.
Studies/Research
Anxiety and depression are often nutrient-deficiency diseases and chemical sensitivities, certainly NOT drug - deficiency diseases. A study of almost 500 people found that the majority of sufferers were magnesium deficient.
Studies carried out on 12,000 people by John Hopkins University have suggested that an adequate supply of magnesium may help prevent type 2 diabetes, those with the lowest magnesium levels had a 94% greater chance of developing the disease that those with the highest levels.
Studies have shown that magnesium supplements during pregnancy can have a dramatic effect on reducing birth defects.
Studies reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown that women who were given magnesium sulphate immediately before very pre-term birth may improve important paediatric outcomes.
References:
www.magnesiumsquare.com
Vitamins & Minerals DeMystified - Dr Steve Blake
The Vitamin Bible - Earl Mindell
Nutrients A - Z Dr Michael Sharon
The Magnesium Miracle by Carolyn Dean M.D N.D
Nutritional Healing - Phyllis A Balch CNC
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.sites.google.com
www.jama.jamanetwork.com
Disclaimer
Please be aware that we are not Doctors, so it is important BEFORE making any changes that you consult with your GP or Medical Practitioner. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, nor a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.