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.
Period 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, is now absolutely necessary to take Dietary
Supplements containing an Organic form of Magnesium, especially
if you suffer from Hypertension, Cardiac problems, Diabetes, Allergies
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 the experts say !
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 relication. 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.
Organic Magnesium