Magnesium
This is one of the most unsung minerals of our time. In many ways it is even more important than calcium as it acts as a catalyst in the system to the vital organs, the heart being the most prevalent.
Magnesium is mainly found in vegetables, especially green vegetables, as it is a key ingredient in chlorophyll. It is also found in grains but it is lost during the milling and refining processes. It is a heat sensitive mineral and so is also diminished with cooking.
Magnesium is responsible for the health of nerves and muscles as well as some glandular functions, especially the pituitary. It is absolutely vital in maintaining normal structure of tissues, bone formation in children and the digestive system. It activates specific enzymes in the body that are responsible for breaking down carbohydrates. It is great for heartburn, indigestion and is a wonderful natural laxative.
E.V. McCollum, who had his research published in a book entitled, 'The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition', conducted an experiment using laboratory rats and magnesium. Those on magnesium deficient diets developed many problems such as dilation of the blood vessels, kidney damage, diarrhea, loss of hair, edema, nutritional failure, tetany, rough sticky coats, over-excitement, convulsions and malignant tumors.
Dr. Edmund B. Flink, who was chairman of medicine at West Virginia University School of Medicine back in the 60's, found that alcoholics are extremely deficient in magnesium. He found that when those experiencing tremors, hallucinations and typical withdrawal symptoms, were supplemented with magnesium, their symptoms disappeared.
W.O. Smith reported on his research in the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine (vol. 59/1962). He found that when the cells are deficient in magnesium, the structure of the ribosomes, which contain essential nucleic acids, are destroyed. In addition to this, the mitochondria, which is known as the powerhouse of the cell, cannot function properly without magnesium present.
Many pharmaceutical drugs inhibit magnesium and create a deficiency in the system. Cortisone, which is used to reduce inflammation from arthritis and allergies, also has been found to promote and produce diabetes. In some studies, it has been found to create a magnesium deficiency as well.
Dr. J.K. Aikawa stated in his book, 'The Role of Magnesium in Biological Processes', that, "cortisone produces subtle changes in the distribution of magnesium in the body, which cannot be attributed to its diabetogenic or anti-inflammatory effect." He said that tetracycline, digitoxin, testosterone and thyroxin all suppress magnesiums activity as well. However, one of the most dangerous common things is the X-Ray. Dr. Aikawa found that irradiation destroys certain cellular processes. When male rabbits were subjected to x-ray exposure, he found that "the bone cortex, kidney and heart tissues previously considered to be radio-resistant are as radiosensitive as the appendix, stomach and testis." After a week he found the rabbits had "a significantly decreased turnover of stable magnesium."
Dr. Winifred Nayler of the Baker Medical Research Institute stated in 'Heart Journal' (March/1967), that while calcium is vital to keep the heart beating, it will not do what it is supposed to unless it is controlled in turn by a sufficient amount of magnesium in the body. Magnesium is the primary regulator of electrical activity within our bodies. Every movement both internal and external is triggered by these electrical impulses transmitted along the nerves.
There has also been a link between a lack of magnesium and the rise of suicide. French scientist, M.L. Robinet did a study on this very thing. He based his findings on the soil samples taken from all parts of the country. He found that in areas with poor soil levels of magnesium that the suicide rates were much higher. He also noted that the diets of people in those areas were also magnesium deficient. He stated that those who regularly absorbed a good amount of magnesium in their diet had a more stable equilibrium.
Dr. L.M. Dalderup of the Netherlands Institute of Nutrition, said the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are apprehension, over-excitability, tremors, myoclonus (problems with calcium absorption), muscle twitching, disorientation, depression, confusion, nervousness, irritability and headaches.
According to Dr. Lewis Barnett, retired orthopedic surgeon, the pituitary gland is largely dependent on magnesium for its function. If it does not have enough it fails in its function of exercising thermostatic control over the adrenals which are then allowed to overproduce adrenalin. They found that those who were suicidal would have a huge adrenal surge before attempting to commit suicide. They also found that those with high protein diets are extremely magnesium deficient and more prone to these sorts of problems.
Magnesium is an analgesic or used to relieve pain. It is found more than any other mineral in the spinal fluid. In fact, it is found in much higher concentrations in the spinal fluid than in the blood. Scientists can test the level of magnesium in the blood by doing a simple blood test. They found that the lower concentrations of magnesium in the blood also directly correlated with low amounts of this element in the spine. (Scary to think about how a deficiency in this mineral can cause a slew of serious issues.) Also when magnesium deficiencies occur, the regulation of hormones in the system is almost nonexistent, leading to such things as heart damage, epilepsy, osteoporosis and periodontal disease. Once again, Dr. Barnett said that the first step in treating magnesium deficiencies in children was to eliminate milk from their diet. He said that 9 out of 10 childhood epileptics drink milk. Synthetic vitamin D, like fluoride, binds with magnesium in the system. Dr. Barnett stated that milk is loaded with both these substances and only enhances the problem. (And here we are taught how milk does a body good...we thinks perhaps everything we have been taught has been wrong.)
Another study was done on athletes. They found that in areas where the oxygen levels were low, that those who had diets high in magnesium had not only MORE oxygen in their systems but higher stamina and endurance levels.
They have found that without magnesium that teeth will only create soft dental enamel.Magnesium is responsible for hard dental enamel which protects the teeth from plaque buildup and the creation of cavities. Dental structures beneath the surface will actually dissolve and speed up decay if magnesium is not there to prevent it from happening.
Magnesium promotes absorption of many minerals into the bone but deficiencies encourage deposits of minerals upon the kidneys, heart muscle, gums and arteries. This can result in the irritation and gradual degeneration of organs, tissues and bones.
According to Dr. Pierre Delbet, magnesium deficiencies are the leading cause of senility in the brain and testicle. He said that a lack of magnesium in the diet leads to diseases of old age. Tissues and organs do not age at the same speed. The nervous system usually lasts the longest and the muscular system deteriorates the first. The 'Journal of American Medical Association' also confirms this. When a group of researchers studied 1000 patients in hospitals, they found that 54% of those with heart complaints were magnesium deficient and yet the doctors there failed to even call for a magnesium test. Many of these patients died from magnesium deficient related symptoms.
Some natural sources of magnesium are fresh green vegetables, raw wheat germ, raw almonds, apples, raw nuts, raw honey, peaches, brown rice, figs, lemons, grapefruit, bran, seeds, parsley, ginger, garlic, alfalfa, cayenne, papaya, rosemary and peppermint. It can also be found in the herbs aloe, comfrey, black walnut, blue cohosh, catnip, chamomile, dandelion, gotu kola, hops, kelp, mullein , red clover, valerian and wood betony. Its enemies are alcohol, diuretics, too much sugar, refined flours and grains, too much protein, food processing and heat.
As is customary with our posts, we are including some links below for your perusal. The FDA has not approved this post. It is meant to educate only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate or cure and disease or illness. Consult a qualified physician before starting any health program.
