Magnesium

What do hot rods have in common with good health? Well, at least one thing is the mineral magnesium. Magwheels are popular because Magnesium is one metal that retains its maximum strength even though it is extremely lightweight. In the human body this mineral is so important that it is classified as a "macro" mineral. Macro minerals are those that are needed in the highest amounts in the human body, followed by trace minerals, micro trace minerals and rare earths which are the tiniest of all.

Without Magnesium many other functions of the human body begin to fail. Other minerals such as Calcium and Potassium can not be digested as readily. Magnesium is important to strengthen the heart and cardiovascular system. It is one of the electrolytes, so called because they act as conductors for the electrical impulses that surge through the nerves to regulate healthy heart rhythm. It plays an important role along with Calcium to build healthy bones and teeth. Enzymes which are "starters" for other activities become dormant. Since our modern diet does not always include enough Magnesium, our bodies are often starving for this vital element. There are many factors which act to deplete the Magnesium supply that our bodies already possess. This includes foods such as Vitamin D fortified products, alcohol, diuretics, fluoride, refined sugar and processed food. The lack of whole grains and many prescription drugs also deplete Magnesium reserves.

According to Dr. Melvyn Werbach and Dr. James Balch, some indications that the body is in need of Magnesium include agitation, anemia, anorexia, anxiety, cardiac arrhythmias, confusion, depression, disorientation, eclampsia, edema (fluid retention), hallucinations, cold hands and feet, hyperactivity, hypertension, hypotension, insomnia, irritability, kidney stones, muscle pains, migraine headaches, muscle tremor, muscular weakness, nausea and vomiting, nervousness, pronounced Startle response (sensitivity to loud noises), restlessness, and dizziness. A craving for chocolates can also indicate this need.

So, if Magnesium is a metal that is used in the wheels of racing cars, how in the world can it get into our bodies? Minerals start out as inorganic (non-food) substances. Essentially, minerals are rocks and metals found in the earth. As food (which is organic) grows in the ground, it absorbs these elements and they become part of the food itself so that it can be absorbed into the human body. If the soil does not have enough mineral content in the beginning, there is no mineral supply for the food to absorb and consequently our bodies are unable to access it.

One process that attempts to solve this problem is called "chelation". In the chelation process foods are "married" to minerals in such a way that the absorption that normally would happen as foods grow in their natural state is duplicated. Chelation involves more than just throwing a bunch of minerals into the vat and stirring. It is a complicated process to do this correctly, it involves expertise, the right ingredients, the most sophisticated equipment and most important, patience. Correct chelation takes time.

If the process is done correctly, certain elements can be targeted to the body's specific needs with remarkable precision. Dr. Hans Nieper of the Silbersee Clinic in Hannover, Germany has reported dramatic results using specific mineral chelates. He was not able to achieve the same results with different mineral transporters, such as Magnesium Oxide. Proper chelation for a specific purpose has been described by Dr. Hans Selye as "writing an address on a mineral and sending it to the place we want it to go."

This is not just an untested theory. The Federal Republic of Germany has recognized that different mineral chelates are more effective than others in specific situations.

Dr. James Balch has stated that in his experience he has found that certain mineral chelates are more effective than others. Researchers found one form of Iron to be four times more able to be used by the body than simple Iron Sulfate, enabling people to take less Iron to raise Iron levels in the blood without creating constipation. Chelated forms of Zinc were found to be more usable than simple Zinc Gluconate. Minerals which are more bioavailable (absorbable) enable us to take the proper amount of a nutrients. Less absorbable minerals require taking massive amounts that we do not need in the hope that our bodies will absorb a small amount. Look for Magnesium forms that are chelated. Magnesium Carbonate, Chloride, or Oxide are inorganic forms and should be avoided.

This same principle applies to any mineral, but especially to Magnesium. To oversimplify, Magnesium is the relaxing mineral. It can relax muscles, especially tight muscles in the neck and shoulders. Other muscles that it can relax are the bowels. Although too much Magnesium or the wrong kind of Magnesium can create diarrhea, (relaxation of the bowels in this case), it can also provide us with a measuring stick to tell us when our bodies have reached the ideal amount of Magnesium. When the bowels begin to loosen the body has reached the level of Magnesium that is sufficient and this is where we want our bodies to stay. It is difficult to get too much Magnesium because of this protective measure that the body will exercise. Start with a small amount of Magnesium, such as 1 capsule, and then increase the amount by one capsule each day until the necessary level is achieved.

In summary, look for a Magnesium supplement that is properly chelated. Those that contain more than one form of chelated, absorbable Magnesium offer the body an even greater chance for assimilation. Experiment to find the proper amount according to the limitations of the bowels. Then be prepared to relax.

Mineral Logic: Mark Timon M.S., Reviewed by Jeffrey S. Bland, Ph.D. (c) 1979. Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Co., Menlo Park, CA 94025.

Iron absorption from ferrous bisglycinate and ferric trisglycinate in whole maize is regulated by Iron status. Adelian C. Bovell-Benjamin, Fernando E. Viteri and Lindsay H. Allen. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 71, No. 6, 1563-1569. June 2000. (c) American Journal for Clinical Nutrition.

Robert A. DiSilvestro, Ph.D., Professor of Nutrition, Ohio State University. Reported in Nutrition Science News. July 2001.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing. James F. Balch M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C. Avery Publishing (c) 1990. Page 22.

Ashmead, H.D. The Role of Mineral Nutrition in Your Life and Health: Conversations on Chelation and Mineral Nutrition. Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan CT. (c) 1989.
Neve, J. et al. "Some factors influencing the bioavailability of zinc in oral pharmaceutical dosage forms. Nutrition Science News. July 2001.

Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine. By Paul Barney, MD Woodland Publishing Co. (c) 1998.

Neve, J. et al. "Some factors influencing the bioavailability of zinc in oral pharmaceutical dosage forms. Nutrition Science News. July 2001.

Nutritional Influences on Illness. Dr. Melvyn Werbach, MD and Dr. Michael Murray N.D. Third Line Press, Tarzana CA. (c) 1991

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