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