MAGNESIUM
MAGNESIUM - A VITAL MINERAL
Magnesium is a mineral that is abundant both in nature
and in the human body, where it is involved in the activation
of more than 300 enzymes and body chemicals. The Department
of Health has set the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for
magnesium at 300mg per day. However, many nutritionists
now feel that the average world RNI should be set at 450mg
per day. A survey in 1994 showed that 72% of women and 42%
of men aged between 19 and 50, and 89% of females aged 16-18
years do not achieve the RNI for magnesium. Low levels of
magnesium in the diet and in our bodies increase susceptibility
to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, high
blood pressure, kidney stones, cancer, insomnia, PMS, and
menstrual cramps. Signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency
are fatigue, mental confusion, irritability, weakness, heart
disturbance, problems in nervous conduction and muscle contraction,
muscle cramps, loss of appetite, insomnia and predisposition
to stress. Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning
of the entire cardiovascular system. Because magnesium contributes
greatly to the strength of contraction by heart muscle,
magnesium supplementation has been found to be helpful in
the management of angina, atherosclerosis, intermittent
claudication and high blood pressure.
One of the most important components of any osteoporosis
programme is magnesium. As much as 60% of all magnesium
in the body is found in the bones. A defect of bone crystal
formation in magnesium-deficiency women is thought to be
one of the factors that increase fracture risk.
Magnesium works in many ways to preserve the health of
the nervous system. During times of stress, magnesium stores
are depleted and large amounts of this mineral are lost
in the urine. With its ability to exert a calming effect
on the nervous system together with its muscle relaxing
role, magnesium, taken 30-40 minutes before retiring, may
help those suffering stress or insomnia.
Studies have shown a low intracellular magnesium content
in patients with bronchial asthma. Magnesium deficiency
can also increase the release of histamine into the bloodstream.
Thereby increasing allergic reactivity in general.
Magnesium also 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 has also been found to play a role in the aetiology
of migraines, fibromyalgia, PMS, kidney stones and attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Williams, E.
NUTRIT. PRACT. 1999,1 (3) 27-9
MINIMUM MAGNESIUM STANDARD FOR WATER WOULD SAVE LIVES
A small group of mineral water bottlers is pressuring the
Food & Drug Administration to establish a minimum standard
for magnesium levels in drinking water, a move that scientists
confirm would save hundreds of thousands of lives annually
and reduce health care costs by billions of dollars.
A recently issued National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report
indicates nearly 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium,
an essential mineral that is required for the health of
living cells and normal function of muscle end heart tissues.
Magnesium is provided in foods such as dark-green leafy
vegetables, whole grains and nuts but nutrition researchers
say the over-processing of foodstuffs and the use of phosphates
in cola soft drinks have led to mineral deficiencies, particularly
shortages of magnesium. The National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) has just released their recommendation to increase
Recommended Daily Allowances (now called Reference Daily
Intake) for magnesium.
Drinking water is the likely dietary component to provide
magnesium, since water is a regular dietary constituent,
and magnesium is up to 30% more bioavailable in water. The
NAS report confirms an earlier 1977 NAS recommendation that
the addition of magnesium to bottled and municipal drinking
water may prevent up to 150,000 deaths from heart attacks
per year.
Magnesium levels in municipal drinking waters vary, and
most would not meet the required standard. According to
the Pocket Guide to Bottled Waters, only 38 out of 149 surveyed
brands of bottled water (mostly bottled in Europe) provide
25mg per litre magnesium. There is only one brand of bottled
water (from Adobe Springs in California) which is both rich
in magnesium and also low in calcium and sodium.
Some health authorities suggest that too much calcium in
relation to magnesium may also pose health problems. Too
much calcium can lead to heart problems, asthma, arteriosclerosis,
headaches, joint problems, hypertension, kidney stones and
cataracts.
Bill Sardi
TOWNSEND LETTER FOR DOCTORS
COMMENT: It is ironic that fluoride is
added to the water supply, yet this is not only toxic, but
combines with magnesium to reduce its bioavailability. See
‘Nutrient/toxin Interaction Theory of the Etiology
and Pathogenesis of Chronic Pain-Fatigue Syndromes’,
Greenfiles Summer 1999, page 27
