Magnesium and calcium
The human body needs magnesium for the metabolism of calcium,
vitamin C, sodium, potassium and phosphorous. It contains
approximately 21g of magnesium. Adults require between 300 to
400 mg per day and pregnant and lactating women need a little
bit more. Magnesium is vital for effective muscle and nerve
functioning, it is known as the anti-stress mineral. It is used
for converting blood sugar into energy.
Magnesium helps the human body in fighting depression, promotes
a healthier cardiovascular system, aids in the prevention of
heart attacks, brings relief from indigestion, it helps to stop
calcium deposits in the kidneys and the formation of gallstones,
it keeps teeth and bones healthy, it is essential for energy
production and is involved as a co-factor in many enzymes in the
body.
The signs of magnesium deficiency in the body are muscle spasms
or tremors, nervousness, high blood pressure, muscle weakness,
insomnia, irregular heartbeat, convulsions or fits, depression,
hyperactivity, constipation, confusion, lack of appetite and
calcium deposited in soft tissue. Irritable bowel syndrome is a
condition where the muscles of the colon become over-tight,
magnesium aids the intestine to become relax and it also
improves muscle tone within the colon. This helps food to pass
through the colon easier.?
Magnesium is found in apples, figs, lemons, dark green
vegetables, grapefruit, seeds, corn, nuts, almonds, wheatgerm,
cashew nuts, brewer's yeast, buckwheat flour, brazil nuts,
peanuts, pecan nuts, cooked beans, garlic, raisins, green peas,
potato skin and crab.
Aspartate, amino acid chelate, gluconate, oronate are all good
quality forms of magnesium as the body can utilise them easily,
magnesium oxide is cheap but unsuitable because it neutralises
stomach acids. With all these forms of magnesium there is a
concentration problem, a large amount is needed to deliver a
small amount of magnesium which can be expensive. The organic
and highly concentrated citrate and acetate are therefore the
best source of magnesium.
It is best to take no more than 1000mg per day to avoid
toxicity.
Diuretics, alcohol, large amounts of calcium in milk products,
proteins, spinach, rhubarb, fats, wheat bran and bread will rob
magnesium from the body.
Magnesium is often used alongside a therapeutic diet because it
is one of the macro-minerals; we need it in large quantities
like calcium, potassium and sodium to maintain a cell's
electrical stability. It is responsible for the functioning of
over 300 enzymes and is essential for major metabolic reactions.
There are very few enzymes that can work without magnesium; it
is known to help maintain healthy bones, muscles, tissue, lung
airways, blood vessels and nerves. The lack of magnesium leads
to cell death due to depletion of energy stores.
Between 25% and 75% of the total intake by the body of magnesium
is likely to be absorbed. Calcium and magnesium both compete for
absorption by the body but only a certain amount can be
absorbed. To be absorbed Calcium needs vitamin D whereas
magnesium does not, vitamin A can help the absorption of
magnesium.
As many other macro-minerals magnesium is secreted by the
kidneys. The hormone called aldosterone which comes from the
adrenal cortex and is responsible for the sodium/potassium
secretion affects the absorption in the kidneys. Less magnesium
will be reabsorbed if a lot of calcium is also being reabsorbed.
Many people are magnesium deficient because modern agriculture
methods are producing crops that have little magnesium in them.
It is important that these people eat organic foods and
supplement their diet with magnesium supplements.
Magnesium on its own given without calcium is a mover of toxins
as it corrects the sodium/potassium balance. Magnesium is slowed
down by calcium which makes its effects gentle. In most cases of
calcium deficiency there is no need to give calcium supplements.
It is more commonly used to slow down the quick clearing action
of magnesium.
When taking a client's case history it is important to find out
as much information concerning elimination, whether it is weak
or strong which will indicate the amount of toxin that are being
released. Magnesium without calcium should be given if
elimination is strong and if elimination is weak then magnesium
with calcium should be given. The ratio of twice as much
magnesium as calcium is a suggested dosage. i.e. 500mg of
magnesium to 250mg of calcium.
If a patient is showing acute symptoms and they are poor at
eliminating toxins then the ratio is vital. If magnesium is
given on it's own and the symptoms get worst then the calcium
levels should be increased. This should be on a 1 to 1 ratio,
for example 500mg of magnesium to 500mg of Calcium.
Some patients misuse Calcium and the only way to counter this is
to reduce the magnesium dose to under 300mg without using
calcium. The magnesium dose should then be gradually increased.
The whole aim of this is to eliminate smoothly and efficiently
without violent reactions.?
As illustrated the body needs minerals to remain in a healthy
condition. Magnesium a micro-mineral is vital because it is
needed in large daily amounts to regulate and balance the body.
Magnesium is important because it works alongside calcium to
maintain bone density, nerve and muscle impulses. The average
diet is high in calcium and low in magnesium, this is due to
modern farming and food refining methods. Magnesium is essential
for enzymes in the body working with vitamins B1 and B6. It is
involved in protein synthesis which is vital for hormone
production. Its role in prostaglandin or hormone production may
be the reason why it has beneficial effects on pre-menstrual
problems. A lack of magnesium has negative effects on the heart,
causing cramps, spasms and even heart attacks. It is for all
these reasons that magnesium is seen as a vital mineral and it
is therefore a good idea to include it along side a therapeutic
diet.