Am I Deficient In Magnesium?

Over cultivation of the land has depleted the soil of its reserves of Magnesium and other minerals. Nature had a perfect system to prevent this through periodic rains which caused the rivers to redeposit silt and improve the quality of the top soil for agriculture. Periodic flooding the land once every few years also resulted in removal of depleted top soil. These natural processes of periodic silt deposition and topsoil removal have been “tampered with” by the building of dams. The biggest ecological disaster is the construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile river in Egypt by the Russians. This has damaged the fertility of the Nile valley and river beds beyond imagination.

This soil depletion is further compounded by the rampant use of Synthetic Fertilizers to ensure that the land produces more crops. Synthetic Fertilizers only contain Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous (NKP). So Magnesium levels steadily go down with each crop cycle. In addition, Potassium is an antagonist to Magnesium. So the large amounts of Potassium in our Fertilizers only results in food with lower levels of Magnesium than ever before.

Magnesium deficiency is common all over the world today due to our food growing techniques and is further compounded by our food processing techniques and our choice of diet. Our grains are polished to remove the outer fibrous coating which contains magnesium, zinc and other minerals besides vitamins. Consumption of refined sugar and alcohol increase urinary excretion of Magnesium, leading to Magnesium Deficiency.

In view of the above, it is now absolutely necessary to take Dietary Supplements containing an Organic form of Magnesium, especially if you suffer from Hypertension; Cardiac problems; Diabetes; Allergies; Muscle Aches, Pains and Cramsps; and a host of other chronic aliments.

Osteoporosis

Today, one of the main causes of uncontrolled osteoporosis, in spite of regular calcium supplementation of Calcium, is actually absence of adequate levels of Magnesium in the body. When Magnesium supplementation is taken in adequate quantity daily, calcium levels automatically rise, even without calcium supplementation. The body cannot utilize dietary calcium in the absence of adequate Magnesium levels in the body.

Magnesium - What Experts say !

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) = 350mg; Optimum Daily Allowance (ODA) = 600mg;
Magnesium at Optimum Daily Allowance levels may be given for a short period while regularly monitoring Serum or preferably intracellular Magnesium levels.

Michael T. Murray, N.D., is one of the world’s leading authorities on Natural Medicine. A faculty member of Bastyr University, Dr. Murray’s best selling books include A Textbook of Natural Medicine, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, The Healing Power of Herbs, and the Getting Well Naturally series.

Magnesium is critical to many cellular functions, including energy production, protein formation, and cellular replication. Magnesium participates in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, in particular those processes involved in energy production (i.e. production of ATP). Magnesium is also required for the activation of the sodium and potassium pump that pumps sodium out of, and potassium into, the cells. Therefore, magnesium deficiency results in decreased intracellular potassium. As a result of lower magnesium and potassium within the cells, cell function is greatly disrupted.

Magnesium has been referred to as “nature’s calcium channel-blocker” because of its ability to block the entry of calcium into vascular smooth-muscle cells and heart muscle cells. As a result, Magnesium supplementation can help reduce vascular resistance, lower blood pressure, and lead to more efficient heart function. Magnesium also helps regulate proper calcium metabolism through its actions on several hormones including parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.


Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, has been a leading nutritional consultant for more than two decades. She continues to study nutrition-based therapies, procedures, and treatments in the United States and abroad. Her other publications include Prescription for Nutritional Healing A-to-Z Guide to Supplements and Prescription for Dietary Wellness.

James F. Balch, M.D., is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Association and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing:
Research has shown that Magnesium may help prevent Cardiovascular Disease.

Magnesium deficiencies are at the root cause of many Cardiovascular problems. Magnesium deficiency may be a major cause of fatal cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and sudden cardiac arrest.

Magnesium plays a central role in the secretion and action of insulin. Without adequate magnesium levels within the body's cells, control over blood sugar levels is impossible. Magnesium supplementation is helpful in cases of glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity. Magnesium helps regulate Blood Sugar by improving Pancreatic function.

Test for Magnesium Deficiency

To test for magnesium deficiency, a procedure called an intracellular (mononuclear cell) magnesium screen should be performed. This is a more sensitive test than the typical serum magnesium screen, and can detect a deficiency inside the cell (where it is really required) with much more accuracy.

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