Each day, more and more information is released to the public regarding the safety (or rather, the lack thereof) of prescription drugs on the market. 2011 brought with it a disturbing warning about a type of drug that receives an awful lot of promotion to both consumers and doctors alike. I’ve even noticed quite a few blogs out there touting free samples offers! What is the common medication I’m referring to? It’s Proton Pump Inhibitors.

If you are one of the many patients using a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) such as Prevacid, Prilosec, AcipHex, Nexium…etc., you may be at risk for issues a lot more critical than occasional heartburn or chronic indigestion. Ironically, chronic indigestion is just one of the various off-label uses for these over-prescribed medications that carry extreme side effects.

According to IMS Health, the number of prescriptions written in the U.S. for PPIs in 2008 topped 113 million, making them the third highest-selling class of drugs.”
– Consumer Reports

Coincidentally, years ago I was prescribed AcipHex myself for nothing more than indigestion due to a combination of too much work, quenched with too many cups of coffee. At the time, there was no indication whatsoever from my doctor that I may be signing up for more than I bargained for. In actuality, he did no more than ask me four questions prior to writing up the prescription – which is most likely a common occurrence in today’s over-burdened health system. Another bewildering occurrence was that the pharmacist who filled the prescription had very little input to add over what my doctor had instructed me, and actually waved off my concerns about side effects.

So what are some of the various risks from using PPI’s?

One of the dangers include an increased risk of fractures in post menopausal women, which is outrageous in such times when women are already fighting the scare of osteoporosis. What is more alarming is that while these drugs turn off the mechanism which manufactures stomach acid, solving one issue, they create another in our intestines by removing the very thing that keeps bacteria, like Clostridium difficile, at bay. According to a five-year study, the chance of a C. difficile infection rose to 74% in patients taking proton pump inhibitors daily – a sobering statistic when combined with the fact that this bacteria is known to kill one in every fourteen adults over 65, and has been proclaimed to be worse than MRSA.

Perhaps even more upsetting is the vast quantity of people being summarily stripped of their magnesium stores.  For years now, forums dedicated to issues involving the GI Tract have been littered with questions and commentary regarding heart issues, muscle cramps, insomnia, and other miscellaneous aches and pains – most of which were never associated with a possible magnesium deficiency. Then again, why would they be when this news has only just been released to the masses?

However, for some this news is what you might call “too little too late”, and the damage has already been done. For those already low on magnesium and struggling with heart issues, a drug that strips away this vital mineral could put the nail in their proverbial coffin, inducing acute myocardial infarction. At the very least, judging from numerous accounts on various websites, long term PPI users have endured side effects ten times worse than what these carelessly prescribed medications alleviated.

In many ways, we give our lives into the hands of those we look to – doctors – to resolve our insurmountable health woes. For this reason, many people don’t look any further for answers, trusting whatever their physicians tell them without qualm. However, in this day and age – a time when patients are being given drugs that are still in their trial period, or haven’t been thoroughly tested at all in many cases – one must wonder if our doctors can really be expected to know all possible side-effects and interactions. After all, it’s more than likely that the drug companies themselves aren’t any more enlightened on those matters than anyone else.

Looking to replenish your lost magnesium? Select from our four different transdermal magnesium applications.

To help conquer digestive issues and imbalances in your gut flora – we also have our amazing Prescript Assist probiotic available.

Life doesn’t come equipped with a pause button, so it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on the latest health research. Luckily, we’ve taken the time to create a quick reference guide on the most important things to know about magnesium, to help you keep well-informed!

Functions of Magnesium

Without magnesium we could not produce energy, our muscles would be in a permanent state of contraction, and we could not adjust the levels of cholesterol produced and released into the blood stream.

Magnesium regulates:

- Enzyme activity, enabling thousands of bio-chemical processes
– Energy production and ATP, the energy storage of the body’s cells
– DNA and RNA, the body’s internal instruction sheets
– Mineral balance, necessary to maintain cell life

Symptoms of Deficiency

Classic “Clinical” Symptoms: Tics, muscle spasms and cramps, seizures, anxiety, and irregular heart rhythms are among the classic signs and symptoms of low magnesium.

“Sub-clinical” or “Latent” Symptoms: Caused by low magnesium intake prevalent in nearly all industrialized nations, they can include migraine headaches, insomnia, depression, and chronic fatigue, among others.

See a complete list of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency.

Causes of Deficiency

Magnesium depletion in healthy individuals can be caused by:

- Low magnesium diets, processed foods and sodas
- Soft water
- Calcium supplements
- Prescription and over the counter medications

And some conditions can increase vulnerability to deficiency, including:

- Alcohol and other addictions
- Aging, illness and stress
- Digestive and genetic disorders

Sources of Magnesium

Magnesium can be delivered orally, intravenously or transdermally. Unfortunately, food sources of magnesium have seen a drastic decline over the years making it nearly impossible to achieve adequate magnesium through diet alone.

Oral supplementation of magnesium is most commonly found on shelves in the form of magnesium oxide. However, this form is one of the least bioavailable with absorption rates as low as 4% . Amino acid chelates of magnesium and magnesium chloride are among the most efficient forms when supplementing orally, but can still cause a laxative effect when taken in high enough amounts. Loose bowels can be avoided by using a topical magnesium supplement.

*Oral magnesium does not need to be discontinued if you choose to use a topical supplement.

Still not sure if you should be supplementing? Get a sense of where your intake may lie in the article Do You Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For.

Or learn more about Topical Magnesium: How It Works.

Original Article

For most parents, bath time accomplishes the functional task of getting a dirty child clean while at the same time providing aquatic entertainment… but what if it provided something much more valuable as well? That’s right, folks! Bath time is no longer just for hygiene and frivolous fun, it’s now a fabulously easy way to get a vital nutrient into your child without resorting to the ole “hide the vitamin” trick.

So, for all of the conscientious parents out there, here are 5 fantastic reasons to toss the bubbles and add magnesium bath flakes instead:

1. Every parent wants their child to be a diligent student – pay attention in school, get good grades, and overall just be “smart”, right? So, what if someone told you that the nutrients you provide play a strong role in your child’s intellectual growth and intelligence? Studies show that mineral supplementation – with an emphasis on magnesium – in juveniles produces significantly increased I.Q. as well as a reduction in brain wave abnormalities.

2. Similar to #1, magnesium offers a protective effect on neurons in the developing brain. This vital mineral is required to build a healthy myelin sheath, which both insulates nerve fibers throughout the body as well as provides a “road map” of sorts should the nerve be damaged and need repair. Not only is this important because children play hard and fall harder, but also because childhood is the foundation adulthood is built on, and protective measures taken now could prevent nerve disorders from occurring later on in life.

3. What’s in your parenting medicine cabinet when allergy season rolls around? Or when your pediatrician declares your child an asthmatic? Well, if you’re like us in your reluctance to expose your child to unnecessary amounts of pharmaceuticals, magnesium is a must try! Research shows that not only does magnesium decrease asthmatic episodes but it also decreases sensitivity to antigens. Meaning – by supplementing with magnesium, mild cases of both asthma and allergies were either abolished or decreased to negligible levels and, in more severe cases, the use of prescribed treatments for asthma and allergies were significantly decreased in frequency.

4. Moodiness, tantrums, depression, aggression… every parent has dealt with a wide spectrum of emotions and behavior, since it seems to come with the territory. Most resources provide tips and tricks on how to cope, discipline, and ultimately overcome these trials and tribulations, but on a psychological level. On a biological level, magnesium has powerful anti-depressant and anti-aggressive properties, as well as being a natural mood lifter. On a related note, studies have found that magnesium also significantly decreases hyperactivity in children found to have ADHD.

5. The aches and pains endured as children grow can cause many a sleepless night, causing parents to fret over how to ease the hurt. Nocturnal leg cramps are a relatively common occurrence amongst certain age groups, caused by any number of things including over- exertion, electrolyte imbalance, rapid growth and dehydration.

Original Article

For the seafood lovers out there, the delicious white fillets of halibut may be just the thing! With its high amount of protein, selenium & the essential amino acid tryptophan, halibut certainly makes for a nutritious meal… but add to that its abundance of magnesium, phosphorous, and B3 and you have yourself a winner!

If you read our post about Magnesium-Rich Quinoa, you know that it would make the perfect compliment to an already nutrient-packed entree. So we went ahead and dug up a recipe that we thought would have your mouth watering, and your magnesium levels rising.

Steamed Halibut with Lemon Olive Quinoa Salad

from Martha Stewart

Halibut Ingredients

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 4 center-cut halibut fillets (7 to 8 ounces)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup green olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Halibut Preparation

Fill a large skillet halfway with water and bring to a boil. Line bottom of a bamboo steamer basket with lemon slices. Set in boiling water.
Season halibut with salt and pepper, place on top of lemon slices, and cover. Steam until fish is opaque, 5 to 7 minutes.
In a medium bowl, stir together olives, parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil.
Top fish with olive mixture and serve immediately with quinoa.

Quinoa Ingredients

• 2 cups quinoa
• Coarse salt
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper

Quinoa Preparation

Place quinoa in a fine mesh sieve. Rinse under cold water until water runs clear. Transfer to a medium saucepan, add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 1/4 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until water is completely absorbed, 18 to 20 minutes.

Transfer quinoa to a medium bowl along with pine nuts, lemon zest, parsley, cumin, cayenne; drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; toss until well combined. Serve warm or at room temperature.

~~~

If you enjoyed this recipe, let us know. We’ll try to keep them coming!

Magnesium is one of those critical nutrients that happen to pop up just about everywhere you look. I’ve heard countless people joke around about how magnesium seems like a “cure all” – which certainly isn’t true, mind you, but it’s a point to ponder all the same.

Due to the fact that magnesium is a basic [foundational] building block to our health and well-being, being magnesium deficient affects every single process down the line and then some. I’m speaking less in terms of the “Domino Effect” and more in terms of “Chaos Theory.” If only health issues were indeed more of a domino effect, we’d be able to track them back directly, fix the issue(s), and be done with it… but I digress.

After researching what seemed to be countless ailments associated with magnesium deficiency and its far reaching applications, I thought that perhaps it would be useful to compile an informal list of sorts for reference purposes – and while I’m at it, why not share it with everyone!

Here are 101 uses for magnesium that you may or may not be familiar with:

Magnesium is necessary for stabilization of the axon (nerve fiber).

56. Intelligence

57. Intractable Erythromelalgia

58. Kidney Stones (Calcium Oxalate)

59. Leg Cramps

60. Liver Cirrhosis

61. Lyme’s Disease

62. Magnesium Deficiency

63. Menopause

64. Metabolic Syndrome

65. Migraine Headaches

66. Mitral Valve Prolapse

67. Mood Disorders Aggression & Anger Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Depression

68. Multiple Sclerosis

69. Muscle Cramps (Muscle Spasms)

70. Muscle Twitching (Fasciculation)

71. Nephritis

72. Neuropathy

73. Nutrient Depleting Drugs (e.g. PPI’s)

74. Osteoporosis & Bone Mineral Density

75. Pancreatitis

76. Parkinson’s

77. Periodic Limb Movement During Sleep (PLMS)

78. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Magnesium is required for healthy cell membrane function.

79. Postoperative Pain Management

80. Pregnancy Fetal Circulation Fetal Pulmonary Gestational Diabetes Gestational Hypertension Preeclampsia & Eclampsia Fetal Distress Low Birth Weight Preterm Labor

81. Repetitive Stress Injury

82. Restless Leg Syndrome

83. Seizure

84. Sepsis

85. Shock

86. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

87. Skin Dermatitis Eczema Psoriasis Skin Barrier Function Skin Tags

88. Strength Training

89. Stress Management

90. Stress Ulcers

91. Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident/ CVA)

92. Tendonitis

93. Tetanus

94. Thyroid Dysfunction

95. Tics (Facial Tics / Eye Tics)

96. Tinnitus

97. TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint)

98. Tourette’s Syndrome

99. Toxic Shock Syndrome

100. Urinary Incontinence

101. Varicose Veins

1. 2nd & 3rd Degree Burns
2. ADD & ADHD
3. Alcoholism (& Alcohol Withdrawal)
4. Allergies
5. Alzheimer’s
6. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
7. Arrhythmia
8. Arthritis
9. Asthma
10. Athletes Foot
11. Autism Spectrum Disorder
12. Back Pain (Lower Back Pain)
13. Bartter’s Syndrome
14. Bed Wetting (Nocturnal)
15. Blood Circulation
16. Blood Pressure (High Blood Pressure)

17. Brain Edema
18. Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
19. Burning Mouth Syndrome
20. Calcification of Soft Tissues
21. Calcium Retention
22. Cancer
23. Cavities
24. Celiac Disease
25. Cellular Detoxification
26. Cerebral Palsy
27. Chemotherapy-Induced Nutrient Deficiency
28. Cholesterol
29. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
30. Colon Cancer
31. Conjunctivitis
32. Constipation
33. Coronary Artery Disease
34. Crohn’s & Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
35. Dementia
36. DHEA Production
37. Diabetes (Type 1 & 2)

• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Diabetic Nephropathy
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Insulin Resistance

38. Drug Addiction (Withdrawal)
39. Energy Levels (Low Energy)
40. Epilepsy
41. Exercise Endurance
42. Fatigue
43. Fibromyalgia
44. Floaters
45. Gitelman’s Syndrome
46. Head Injury
47. Hearing Damage & Hearing Loss
48. Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction)
49. Heart Disease
50. Heavy Metal Detoxification
51. Hormone Imbalance
52. Hypertension
53. Idiopathic Infertility
54. Inflammation & Swelling
55. Insomnia & Sleeplessness

Although there are an endless amount of ailments that are aided by magnesium use, as I had mentioned many may be a direct result of a deficiency. Magnesium is such a vital part of our biology that, often times, simply adding it to our diet and supplementation routine will reverse a whole slew of health issues.

Numerous research studies that have tested magnesium up against commonly used drugs have frequently found that magnesium comes out on top in terms of both effectiveness as well as side effects (or rather, lack thereof). Magnesium has also shown to be an irreplaceable compliment to many mainstream medical treatments as well. Another point to keep in mind is that often times [with magnesium supplementation] the full health benefits to be had will not be reached without other complimentary nutrients such as Vitamin D and B6.

The bottom line in all of this is that magnesium should not only be towards the top of your priority list, it should be a top priority for modern medical doctors as well. If any of the items listed above relate to you – especially those related to the heart, muscle, nerve, and brain – and your doctor has not mentioned magnesium, it may be time to seek a second opinion or even a new physician.

Please remember that this information is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or disease, nor should it replace your doctor’s recommendations. This list is based upon clinical research involving hypomagnesaemia (magnesium deficiency), magnesium supplementation & treatment, or a combination of the two. It should be used merely as an insight into the countless processes that are effected by magnesium or affected by a lack thereof.

For a list of references used for this post, please see our 101 Uses Reference document*.

Cheers Everyone!

*This list is currently being updated, and additional references are being added to ensure that all information has been thoroughly accounted for.

A rather sobering thought - there is at least one licensed medical practitioner in the U.S. who is instructing their patients that by using plenty of black pepper in their diet they are receiving adequate amounts of magnesium.

How do we know this? Well…

A customer of ours called in to us complaining of being tired and run down and asking about our Nascent Iodine as a means of boosting their energy levels. Through conversation it was discovered that she wasn’t sleeping well due to muscle cramps and various other aches & pains. When we suggested that muscle cramps may be a sign of magnesium deficiency, she explained that she couldn’t be magnesium deficient since she was using a lot of black pepper on her food, three times per day.

Excuse me, what was that?

Apparently, this person was told by her physician that black pepper was loaded with magnesium and that if you use enough of it, you’d be getting sufficient amounts. Make no mistake, black pepper does indeed contain magnesium. However, the quantity of black pepper that you would need to consume to obtain your daily requirement would be a bit daunting by even the most staunch pepper enthusiast.

Approximately 12mg of magnesium is contained in one tablespoon of black pepper. To give this some perspective, if you were to eat an entire cup of black pepper you’d still only be getting around 192mg of magnesium.

Of course, the average 1/2 teaspoon of pepper [with its 2mg of magnesium] that’s dashed onto a meal or stirred into a recipe will eventually add up – but by no means should that compose your primary manner of obtaining this utterly vital mineral. In our opinion, there are plenty of other sources of magnesium that should be explored before you resort to raiding your spice cabinet.

Other Uses for Black Pepper!

If you love black pepper, you probably love it for that little bite that comes with it. Well, that pungent bite is mostly due to an alkaloid called piperine. Piperine has been the focus of numerous studies and has shown some extremely promising potential amongst a wide range of uses.

Piperine…

• Has been shown to increase plasma levels of CoQ10
• Contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-diarrhoeal properties
• Is a natural bio-availability enhancer
• Shows cancer-preventative properties
• Has a mild anti-depressant effect

With all of these benefits and more, adding more black pepper to your meals sounds like an excellent idea… just not as an economical way of getting your daily magnesium (let alone battling a possible magnesium deficiency).

Part of keeping your magnesium levels up is making sure to include as many magnesium-rich foods in your diet, while at the same time avoiding foods that deplete your body’s mineral stores.

The most frustrating part of eating a well-balanced, and nutrient-packed diet is finding new ways to cook the same thing in order to stave off palate boredom. For this reason, we’re hoping to give your taste buds a little boost by providing an eclectic assortment of magnesium-rich recipes on an ongoing basis. To kick off our recipe posts, we’ve decided to take a quinoa base as our recipe theme and go from there.

A fantastic low cholesterol, low sodium food, quinoa is high in both magnesium and phosphorous. It’s also chock full of [all 9] essential amino acids, riboflavin (B2), manganese, and zinc. Quinoa is easily digestible by our system – which means that not only are all those vitamins and minerals readily assimilated, but our gut bacteria is kept happy and GI Tract kept healthy. Did we forget to mention it’s also gluten free?

Breakfast

Delicious Quinoa Breakfast Porridge

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa (all red or a mix of red, white, or black)
• 1 3/4 cups water (or use milk for a creamier consistency)
• 1/3 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Maple syrup or honey
• Other: Any other fruits or nuts that you would like to add (hint hint: raisins, apple slices or blueberries)

Preparation

Wash quinoa thoroughly in water in a bowl, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off water. Repeat if necessary. (This will remove bitter saponins)

Drain washed quinoa well in a large fine-mesh sieve.

In a heavy medium saucepan add water and cinnamon and bring to a boil, then add quinoa. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until fluid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15-25 minutes. If you plan on adding raisins, add them during this process so that they have time to become tender.

Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep covered to keep warm.

Serve quinoa and top with almonds, maple syrup or honey, milk, sea salt and any other delicious toppings that strike your fancy.

(Our favorite combination is blueberries, almonds, and maple syrup with a thick slab of organic, pastured butter dug into the center and a splash of raw milk around the edges.)

Appetizer/Snack

Cheesy Quinoa Cakes

(slightly modified) from Spoon Fork Bacon

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked* quinoa
• 2/3 cup grated fontina cheese
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour (we used brown rice flour)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (we used coconut oil)
• salt to taste

*See Breakfast Quinoa recipe for quinoa cooking instructions.

Preparation

Place all ingredients, except for the oil, into a mixing bowl and stir together until well combined. Season with salt and allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
Pour oil into a large sauté pan and place over medium heat.
Form ¼ cup patties with the quinoa mixture and place in the heated sauté pan. (this will have to be done in batches)
Cook quinoa cakes for about 5 minutes on each side. Repeat with the remaining patties until all of the cakes have been cooked. Serve warm.

Delicious when dunked into nice cold sour cream!

Dinner

Quinoa with Spinach & Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms

from Whole Foods

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 1 pear, peeled, cored and cut into chunks (not too ripe)
• 1 garlic clove, halved
• 2 pounds portobello mushrooms, stemmed and gills scraped out
• 1 cup red quinoa
• 3 cups tightly packed fresh spinach, chopped
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 475°F.

Put vinegar, mustard, pear and garlic in a blender with 1/3 cup water and blend until smooth, about 1 minute, to make the dressing. Cut mushrooms into chunks and combine in a large mixing bowl with 1/4 cup of the dressing. Spread mushrooms in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until tender, stirring occasionally, 15-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

While mushrooms roast, prepare quinoa. In a medium pot, bring 1 3/4 cups water (or vegetable/chicken stock) to a boil. Stir in quinoa, cover pot, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove pot from heat and set aside, covered, 10 minutes more. Uncover and fluff quinoa with a fork.

Combine mushrooms, quinoa, spinach, green onions, almonds, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup more dressing in a large, wide serving bowl. Stir to mix well. Serve with remaining dressing on the side.

~~~~~

If you enjoyed those delicious quinoa recipes, stay tuned for more as we continue to serve up magnesium-rich meal ideas.

We encourage you to try and utilize organic sources for your ingredients when possible as this is both a healthier option as well as more sustainable for our environment.

Somebody Stop This Pain!

Anyone who has had the misfortune to have kidney stones knows that they’re nothing short of agony. Their likening to razor blades is fairly accurate, as the majority of them aren’t smooth, but rather jagged in nature. However, when walking into your doctor’s office to remedy this excruciating ailment, the solutions offered would often seem laughable if they were not woefully inadequate.

“Excuse me, Doctor, but how many Percocet should I take?”

Calcium + Oxalate = Kidney Stones

Calcium oxalate kidney stones can be prevented. And with proper attention to health they may also be dissolved over time, eliminating the need for surgery or medications. A look into their cause provides the clues.

Kidney stones are most commonly caused by hypercalciuria and/or hyperoxaluria. Due to either dietary excess of foods containing these components, or your body’s inability to break them down sufficiently, the presence of too much calcium or oxalate results in crystals being formed inside the kidneys.

When seeking advice from the average general practitioner, the most common recommendation is to drink more water, since being well hydrated dilutes the high concentrations of just about anything in the kidneys. Secondary is advice to cut down on foods that may exacerbate the problem, such as dairy (high in calcium) and berries (high in oxalates). There are lists of foods high in calcium and oxalate available on many websites, but does abstaining from these while loading up on water really get to the root of the problem? Recent studies have answered an overwhelming “No,” especially when results showed that higher dietary calcium intake actually resulted in a protective effect against stone formation.

So the question still remains – what’s the best way to prevent kidney stones?

Breaking Down the Calcium

A common denominator in many recurrent kidney stone sufferers is low serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels. But more important even than magnesium deficiency per se is an inadequate magnesium to calcium ratio. This is very pertinent to those who may be supplementing heavily with calcium.

Balancing your mineral intake can be a challenging task, and although your body does an efficient job of storing calcium long term, magnesium often loses out. Furthermore, while magnesium is a necessary component of calcium absorption, too much calcium actually blocks the uptake of magnesium. This may explain why by increasing dietary magnesium, as well as supplementation with magnesium, stone formation was decreased significantly in several medical studies. The ingestion of magnesium with meals was also found to decrease calcium oxalate by combining with urinary oxalate to form a soluble magnesium oxalate.

Breaking Down the Oxalate

Conclusive studies have shown that there is a higher rate of kidney stones formed in those with low rates of colonization of Oxalobacter formigenes, which is a commensal colonic bacterium in the human body (meaning that it has a symbiotic relationship with us). O. formigenes, or rather its enzyme oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase, is capable of degrading oxalate and preventing hyperoxaluria from occurring in the first place.

In other words, insufficient amounts of the O. formigenes strain may lead to a higher amount of oxalates absorbed into the intestinal walls, leading to higher urinary oxalate concentration.

It has been hypothesized that by supplementing with this bacteria and repopulating the intestines, calcium oxalate stone formation could potentially be reduced or abolished entirely. This isn’t very difficult to believe given the human body’s sensitive biological balance, and the repercussions from common medical solutions like antibiotics. Probiotics have long been solutions to seemingly hopeless ailments like ulcers caused by H. pylori, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis, yeast overgrowth, and a host of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

The beneficial flora in the human body perform enough metabolic processes to be considered an organ in and of themselves. Protecting the health of this vital system in the body goes a long way toward protection from painful kidney stones.

So, what now?

By discussing these natural alternatives with your physician you may find your way to more lasting and less painful results.

- Try locating a good source of Oxalobacter formigenes, rather than just the enzyme, to help repopulate your intestines.

- Investigate the possibility of low magnesium.

- And do some research on what type of magnesium is the best for you.

And don’t forget – keep drinking plenty of water!

Note: Neither of these possible solutions for keeping calcium oxalate stones at bay takes into account genetic or auto-immune disorders that may result in stone formation, such as renal tubular acidosis (which is the kidney’s inability to properly acidify the urine). Consult with your physician before considering any and all treatment alternatives. Never delay treatment as a result of information you have read online.

Original Article

As the statistics reach alarming rates, researchers try to delve deeper into the key indicators and common factors amongst those showing the precursors to or that already have diabetes. Each year, new research emerges with studies attempting to capture new facets of the cause, effect, and prevention of this disease.

Along with diabetes, there has been an increased interest in disorders that are known to be associated such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. With all of these comes a common trend of magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium’s Role in Metabolism

You could say that this one seemingly insignificant mineral has a hand in just about every vital function in our body. Magnesium plays a critical role in both enzymatic reactions and carbohydrate metabolism, especially glycolysis.

It is a necessary component for nearly all enzymes involved in the glycolytic and Krebs cycles, which turn sugar and fat into ATP. ATP transports energy within cells for metabolism, and is stored in the body as a combination of magnesium and ATP (MgATP). So essentially, without this mineral the body’s cellular metabolism is virtually dead in the water.

Magnesium & Insulin

In a magnesium deficient state, the pancreas’ ability to secrete insulin is impaired and cellular insulin receptor sites become resistant. In the average healthy person, insulin supports the uptake of magnesium into the cells. In turn, magnesium is needed for the cells to create more insulin receptors to maintain their sensitivity.

Due to the complementary relationship between insulin and magnesium, and the number of metabolic processes that are involved, it has been suggested that supplementing with magnesium could help reverse the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, both precursors to diabetes.

Cause & Effect

Although there are many reasons why our population is finding themselves facing diabetes, diet is the primary contributor to our current downfall. With the modern diet consisting of high amounts of refined and processed carbohydrates, neither magnesium nor insulin has a chance. Normally, when carbohydrates are consumed and turned to glucose, insulin would be secreted to rapidly remove it from the bloodstream and into the cells for energy. However, with increased cell resistance, insulin has nowhere to go and the glucose is instead stored as fat. On top of that, the high levels of insulin in the bloodstream cause magnesium to be excreted in excess through urination.

Type 2 diabetics that are not currently supplementing with magnesium, are almost always going to test deficient. If the insulin resistance itself weren’t enough, compounding the problem are the various lipid-lowering drug treatments that also cause depletion of magnesium within the body.

In a 1993 article in Diabetologia, they stated that the cardiovascular consequences of diabetes may be at least partly due to magnesium deficiency. This certainly isn’t the first study to suggest that a deficiency may be a large part of the problem. Results from a study in Taiwan showed a correlation between levels of magnesium in the drinking water and the risk of dying from diabetes.

Other studies have shown that disorders associated with type 1 and 2 diabetes such as atherosclerosis and retinopathy could benefit from magnesium supplementation.

*However, this excludes patients with significant renal impairment.

Original article

Life Extension Magazine February 2012

By Martin Alessio

Aged people are in the midst of an escalating Alzheimer’s epidemic.1,2 It is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.3

The horrific progression of Alzheimer’s disease from dementia to personal extinction afflicts between 24-30 million people worldwide.4,5 Americans account for approximately one-fifth of those cases, which are expected to triple by 2050.3,6

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there is new hope thanks to the work of a team of researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT.)7

These scientists have identified several correctable factors involved in Alzheimer’s onset—and a novel nutritional intervention that may effectively target them.

In this article, you will learn of the vital role that magnesium plays in protecting the aging brain’s structure and function and why conventional supplements don’t deliver enough magnesium into the brain.

Researchers have found that a new highly absorbable form of magnesium called magnesium-L-threonate concentrates more efficiently in the brain, rebuilds ruptured synapses, and restores the degraded neuronal connections observed in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss.

In experimental models, magnesium-L-threonate induced improvements of 18% for short-term memory and 100% for long-term memory.8

Magnesium Deficiency: An Overlooked Cause of Neurologic Decay

Half of all aging individuals in the developed world are magnesium deficient, a nutritional deficit that worsens over time.

Confirmatory data show that Americans are no exception.9,10 For instance, American women consume just 68% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium.11

Magnesium has long been known as a key nutrient for optimal brain function. More recently, scientists have found it specifically promotes learning and memory as a result of its beneficial effect on synaptic plasticity and density.7,8,12

Magnesium works with calcium to modulate “ion channels” that open in response to nerve impulses, which in turn trigger neurotransmitter release. The most important of those channels is controlled by a complex called the NMDA receptor.13,14 NMDA receptors play an important role in promoting neural plasticity and synaptic density, the structural underpinnings of memory.15-17

Magnesium deficiency can cause symptoms ranging from apathy and psychosis to memory impairment.13,18 Insufficient magnesium slows brain recovery following injury from trauma19 and in laboratory studies accelerates cellular aging.20

Ominously, magnesium deficiency may produce no overt symptoms in its initial stages.21

Part of the problem is that it is difficult for the body to maintain sufficiently high concentrations of magnesium in the brain.8

For this reason, researchers have long sought ways that higher magnesium brain concentrations might be achieved and sustained.

A Breakthrough Form of Magnesium

Scientists have been challenged to find a way to raise magnesium levels in the brain.8 Even intravenous infusions cause only a modest elevation of magnesium levels in the central nervous system.22

An innovative team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently found a way to surmount this obstacle. They formulated a new magnesium compound called magnesium-L-threonate or MgT that in lab tests allows for oral administration while maximizing magnesium “loading” into the brain.7,8

Based on prior research, they meticulously documented that increased levels of magnesium in the brain promote synaptic density and plasticity in the hippocampus.14 Up until now, however, no widely available forms of magnesium met the criteria needed for rapid absorption and efficient transfer into the central nervous system.8

By contrast, MgT yielded compelling results.

MgT oral supplements increased magnesium levels in spinal fluid, an index of measurement in brain magnesium by about 15%, while none of the other magnesium compounds tested produced significant elevations.8 While a 15% increase may not sound like a lot, it induced a profound effect on neurological function.

To evaluate the effects of MgT on memory, the researchers tested it against currently available magnesium compounds. They used a simple assessment of learning and memory called the Novel Object Recognition Test or NORT. A high NORT score means that the animal is good at recognizing and identifying new objects, a skill that is critical in aging humans as well.8 NORT is a good test of function in the hippocampus, which is rich in the NMDA receptors so closely controlled by magnesium.23

The researchers put aged animals through the NORT test, supplementing them with MgT or one of the commercially available magnesium compounds. Only MgT significantly enhanced both short- and long-term memory, boosting scores by 15% for short-term memory and 54% for long-term memory compared to magnesium citrate.8

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