Compiled by Walter Sorochan Emeritus Professor San Diego State University May 02, 2010; updated November 02, 2021. Disclaimer The information presented here is for informative and educational purposes only and is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. Why should we be concerned about Magnesium? Because as a nutritional co-factor, magnesium helps regulates over 300 body processes. Deficiency [ most persons are deficient in magnesium] causes many disorders and diseases! It is essential for good health! Magnesium has been overshadowed by inept attempts to use calcium by itself to prevent/heal osteoporosis. Healers prescribed calcium while ignoring essential co-factors in the total healing process. Magnesium relaxes while calcium contracts. New research focuses on magnesium working synergistically with calcium, vitamin D and other co-factors to prevent osteoporosis, other diseases and disorders. A deficiency has been linked to conditions such as irregular heart beat, asthma, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, mitral valve prolapse, stroke and heart attack, diabetes, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, migraine, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and probably many more. Magnesium is particularly important when it comes to ensuring the health of the heart and bones. Bilbey: Mag muscle cramps 1996 Are Americans Deficient in Magnesium? The National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine and other researchers, after great deliberation, research, and literature review, estimate 50% to 85% of the population of the United States is deficient in magnesium intake. Mg and diabetes 2002 Mg incidence 2007 cofactor in bone strength Mg Miracle and use in CVD The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) is 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women. Unfortunately, recent surveys have shown that many Americans have a dietary intake of 200 mg/day or less. There is controversy about the number of persons that may be deficient in magnesium; largely because of the technology used to test for magnesium. Larsen Mag report 2009 Symptoms low Mg The following conditions increase the risk of magnesium deficiency: Mg Linus Pauling Institute
What doctors are saying about magnesium: Article by Mitlyansky Mag deficiency is no longer active.
Why Dont We Hear More About Magnesium?
Functions: Magnesium is needed for more than 350 biochemical reactions in the body. Coates Mag info Below are just a few examples:
Surgery: "Everyone scheduled for surgery needs to increase their stores of magnesium. In the pre and postoperative phases magnesium can help alleviate pain, decrease blood pressure, alleviate certain heart arrhythmias; it works to prevent blood clotting, relieves depression so common after bypass surgery, and improves energy and cognitive abilities." On average, heart attack patients immediately given magnesium intravenously have a 50% greater survival rate. magnesium for life Mg Miracle and use in CVD If you’re ever rushed to the hospital with a heart attack, intravenous magnesium could save your life. In a 1995 study, researchers found that the in-hospital death rate of those receiving IV magnesium was one-fourth that of those who received standard treatment alone. In 2003, a follow-up study of these same patients revealed an enduring effect of magnesium treatment. Nearly twice as many patients in the standard treatment group had died compared to those who received magnesium, and there were considerably more cases of heart failure and impaired heart function in the placebo group. In addition to increasing survival after heart attack, IV magnesium smoothes out arrhythmias and improves outcomes in patients undergoing angioplasty with stent placement. Magnesium is absolutely essential for the proper functioning of the heart. Mg the health medicine More than 300,000 sudden-death heart attacks are reported annually in the US (more than 80 per day) which are believed to be related to excessive calcium and a shortage of magnesium. Modern medicine`s answer to the problem is to prescribe billions of dollars of calcium-blocker drugs. Magnesium is a natural calcium blocker, but this goes unrecognized by most physicians. Mg as calcium blocker For more information about: Magnesium and its uses in surgery Larsen Mag report 2009 The underlying mechanisms for the inflammatory response in magnesium deficiency are not very well understood. Mg and inflammation Sources: Magnesium is available in foods and nutritional supplements. Eating foods rich in magnesium is mother nature's best way of getting magnesium. In general, to get as much magnesium as possible in the diet, eat plenty of organic leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds every day.
Next Best way to take magnesium: Rubbing magnesium oil on the skin [ ransdermal application ] is a good way to get magnesium into the body because you then bypass having to absorb it from the small intestine. Transdermal application of magnesium: is claimed to be far superior to oral supplements and is in reality the only practical way magnesium can be used as a medicine besides by direct injection. Though nothing can substitute for magnesium absorbed through foods high in magnesium, medically speaking, it is superior to supplementing. “Using Magnesium Oil is the quickest and most convenient way to transmit magnesium chloride into the cells and tissues through the skin. 2-3 sprays under each armpit function as a highly effective deodorant, while at the same time transporting magnesium swiftly through the thin skin into the glands, lymph channels, and bloodstream, for distribution throughout the body. Spray it onto the back of the hand or the top of the feet any time of day or night for continuous magnesium absorption." Problem with transdermal application: Rubbing Mg oil on the skin takes about 45 to 60 minutes for the oil and Mg to be absorbed into the skin. Initially, it is somewhat messy and oily. But perhaps the bigger problem may be not knowing the exact amount of magnesium that will be absorbed into the body. Assumingly, the absorption is supposedly high, but this depends on the individual biochemistry and the actual amount of magnesium in the oil on the skin. Thus, the transdermal absorption amount is guesswork.
Supplementing with magnesium must also take into account the balance between calcium and magnesium. Finland, which, from 1973 to 1999 had the highest recorded incidence of heart attack in middle-aged men in the world, also has a high calcium-to-magnesium ratio in the diet at 4 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium. Americans in general have a high calcium-to-magnesium ratio in their diet and consequently in their bodies; the U.S. ratio is 3.5-to-1. Our dietary emphasis is on a high calcium intake without sufficient magnesium; and because of the excessive emphasis on women taking high doses of calcium for osteoporosis, we are creating more imbalance between the two minerals. Some researchers predict that the American ratio of calcium to magnesium is actually approaching 6-to-1, yet, the recommended dietary ratio of calcium to magnesium in the United States is 2-to-1. Current research on the paleolithic or caveman diet shows that the ratio of calcium to magnesium in the diet that our bodies evolved to eat is 1-to-1. We need more research on this Ca:Mg ratio. RDA: The recommended amount below is inaccurate and will be revised in the summer of 2010. The tabular recommendations below are unreliable because of the blood test technology used to gather data that, in turn, was used as a basis for determining RDA recommendations. Test was based on the one percent of magnesium in serum blood; hence the test is questionable and test data may be flawed. Table 2: Recommended Dietary Allowances for magnesium for children and adults [1999]
There is insufficient information on magnesium to establish a RDA for infants. RDA based on data from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH, 1999 Toxicity: There is controversy about the safe intake of magnesium. For example: The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for magnesium at 350 mg/day for adults. This UL represents the highest level of daily supplemental magnesium intake likely to pose no risk of diarrhea or gastrointestinal disturbance in almost all individuals. This upper intake level is lower than the one cited by the Office of Dietary Supplements by NIH in the above table. Excellent info about Mg Linus Pauling Institute "Adverse effects from excess magnesium have been observed with intakes of various magnesium salts (i.e., supplemental magnesium). The initial symptom of excess magnesium supplementation is diarrhea—a well-known side effect of magnesium that is used therapeutically as a laxative [ e.g. milk of magnesium ]." Excellent info about Mg Linus Pauling Institute Dosage: The problem of how much magnesium to take as a supplement is trying to balance the ratio of magnesium to the calcium present in the body and in calcium supplements. There is also a need to balance the intake of all co-factors involved in healing/preventing osteoporosis. No one seems to have a good solution at this time. Lack of a working ratio solution for all co-factors adds to the confusion of how to deal with osteoporosis. It is not easy to calculate the exact dosage. Absorption rates vary considerably from one person to another and from one form of use to another, even with magnesium chloride, which probably delivers more useable magnesium to the cells than any other form. It is wise, especially if one is seriously ill, to start out with low dosages and build slowly up to higher doses over a period of a week or two. "In general, to individualize the appropriate magnesium dosage for oral intake, the rule of thumb is approximately 6-8 mg/kg (3-4 mg per pound) of body weight per day. That translates into a total dietary magnesium intake of 600 to 900 mg per day for a 200-lb man. With children some researchers indicate that 10 mg/kg/day are appropriate because of their low body weight and increased requirements for growth. Athletes also need more depending on their stress and training levels and we can always adjust upwards when under great emotional stress or when seriously ill." There is a big problem with ingesting magnesium in plants sources and supplements. You need to be sure that the supplement is derived from plants, as chemically derived magnesium is not recognized by the human body. Furthermore, the bioavailability of digestive enzymes deminishes as we get older. This causes us to absorb less and less magnesium as we get older. Although the RDA may say 400Mg for men aged 31 or older, men may be lucky to absorb anywhere from 20 to 80 % magnesium. The same is true for women and even children. This bioavailability is ignored by scientists and nutritionists. Even having a lab test to check the amount of magnesium in the blood will not be a valid test, as it is the amount of magnesium that gets into each cell that is important and labs do not measure magnesium in the cells. It is the amount of magnesium that is present in each cell that is a true and honest dosage. RDA's are outdated! Alert: It is important to have the guidance of an astute medical professional when taking magnesium. It needs to be balanced with other co-factors. Fight between Mg and Ca: Magnesium is more important than calcium, potassium or sodium as it is required to regulate them. High intake of calcium interferes with magnesium absorption. In other words it makes an already existing deficiency worse. Magnesium and calcium can have the opposite affects on the body. For example, excess calcium can cause muscle cramps while magnesium relaxes muscles. [ Bilbey in Larsen Mag report 2009 ] Calcification and Magnesium If calcium is not taken with magnesium it will cause much more harm than good. Unabsorbed calcium can lodge anywhere in our body. For instances, if it lodges in your bones and joints, it mimics arthritis; if it lodges in your heart, it mimics arterial lesions. Calcification or calcium poisoning can manifest as heart disease, cancer, wrinkled skin, kidney stones, osteoporosis, dental problems, bone spurs, cataracts and many other health problems. Calcium deposits in the joints are called arthritis; in the blood vessels it is hardening of the arteries; in the heart it is heart disease, and in the brain it is senility. A healthy cell has high magnesium and low calcium levels. Mg - Ca balance and Calcification in body IMVA Contributing to the problem of calcification may be the medical approach of prescribing a single nutrient instead of the co-factorial approach. Healers and individuals unwittingly may be inadvertently causing many health problems such as arthritis, oeteoarthritis, kidney stones, cataracts, cardiovascular diseases and so on. Testing for Magnesium: There is controversy about testing procedures and the accuracy of current tests. Testing for the amount of magnesium in the body is difficult and inaccurate at this time. Reason: "65% of the body’s magnesium stores are found in bone, another 34% is found in transcellular fluids, and the remaining 1% is found in extracellular fluids such as blood. It is thus clear that measuring magnesium in blood serum is not likely to be a very accurate measure of the body’s overall magnesium status." Larsen Mag report 2009 Mg miracle Since only one percent of magnesium of the body is distributed in the blood, a simple sample of magnesium in the blood is highly inaccurate. That's why most doctors who rely on blood tests for magnesium and not magnesium deficiency signs and symptoms realize that up to 80 percent of the population is deficient, will miss an important diagnosis. Drs. Bella and Burton Alturas developed a test specifically for magnesium ions instead of blood serum. It came about in 1987 and is called the Blood Ionized Magnesium Test. Blood Ionized Magnesium Test. Its accuracy has been confirmed countless times with sensitive digital imaging microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and the magnesium fluorescent probe. With this test it is now possible to directly measure the levels of magnesium ions in whole blood, plasma and serum using ion-selective electrodes. The Alturas have used the ionized magnesium test in hundreds of research trials on dozens of different conditions proving, for example, that the 22 conditions are related to magnesium deficiency. Mg miracle Before consenting to a magnesium blood test, ask your doctor and lab to clarify the nature of the test. It should be obvious that testing for the amount of magnesium in the blood is not only inaccurate, but not practical for most persons. There is another simpler, inexpensive and accessible test that can be done: the salivary pH test as described in: Salivary pH Testing for calcium sufficiency However, this test also muddies the picture of assessing values of magnesium, calcium and vitamin D in the body. We need an immediate 'priority' call for more research on the technology of testing for magnesium, calcium, vitamin D and other co-factors. The problem of testing for magnesium in the body, like all nutrients, is lack of cellular bioavailability. References: Anastassopoulou J., T. Theophanides, "Magnesium–DNA interactions and the possible relation of magnesium to carcinogenesis. Irradiation and free radicals," Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, Volume 42, Issue 1, Pages 79-91. Mg deficiency causes chronic disorders "Abstract: Magnesium deficiency causes renal complications. The appearance of several diseases is related to its depletion in the human body. In radiotherapy, as well as in chemotherapy, especially in treatment of cancers with cis-platinum, hypomagnesaemia is observed. The site effects of chemotherapy that are due to hypomagnesaemia are decreased using Mg supplements. The role of magnesium in DNA stabilization is concentration dependent. At high concentrations there is an accumulation of Mg binding, which induces conformational changes leading to Z-DNA, while at low concentration there is deficiency and destabilization of DNA. The biological and clinical consequences of abnormal concentrations are DNA cleavage leading to diseases and cancer. Carcinogenesis and cell growth are also magnesium-ion concentration dependent. Several reports point out that the interaction of magnesium in the presence of other metal ions showed that there is synergism with Li and Mn, but there is magnesium antagonism in DNA binding with the essential metal ions in the order: Zn>Mg>Ca. In the case of toxic metals such as Cd, Ga and Ni there is also antagonism for DNA binding. It was found from radiolysis of deaerated aqueous solutions of the nucleoside 5′-guanosine monophosphate (5′-GMP) in the presence as well as in the absence of magnesium ions that, although the addition of hydroxyl radicals (√OH) has been increased by 2-fold, the opening of the imidazole ring of the guanine base was prevented. This effect was due to the binding of Mg2+ ions to N7 site of the molecule by stabilizing the five-member ring imitating cis-platinum. It was also observed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fast Atom Bombardment mass spectrometry that √OH radicals subtract H atoms from the C1′, C4′ and C5′ sites of the nucleotide. Irradiation of 5′-GMP in the presence of oxygen (2.5×10−4 M) shows that magnesium is released from the complex." [ incomplete ] Ancient Minerals, "Symptoms of low magnesium." Symptoms low Mg Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, Vollmer WM, Svetkey LP, Sacks FM, Bray GA, Vogt TM, Cutler JA, Windhauser MM, Lin PH, Karanja N., " A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure," N Engl J Med. 1997 Apr 17;336(16):1117-24. Appel: Mg and blood pressure 1997 Arnaud Maurice J., "Update on the assessment of magnesium status," British Journal of Nutrition, 2008, 99:S24-S36. Mg test update 2008 Abstract: "Magnesium (Mg) is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and the most abundant intracellular divalent cation, with essential roles in many physiological functions. Consequently, the assessment of Mg status is important for the study of diseases associated with chronic deficiency. In spite of intense research activities there is still no simple, rapid, and accurate laboratory test to determine total body Mg status in humans. However, serum Mg < 0·75 mmol/l is a useful measurement for severe deficiency, and for values between 0·75 and 0·85 mmol/l a loading test can identify deficient subjects. The loading test seems to be the gold standard for Mg status, but is unsuitable in patients with disturbed kidney and intestinal functions when administered orally. There is also a need to reach a consensus on a standardized protocol in order to compare results obtained in different clinical units. Other cellular Mg measurements, such as total or ionized Mg, frequently disagree and more research and systematic evaluations are needed. Muscle Mg appears to be a good marker, but biopsies limit its usefulness, as is the case with bone Mg, the most important but heterogeneous Mg compartment. The development of new and non invasive techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may provide valuable tools for routinely analyzing ionized Mg in tissues. With the development of molecular genetics techniques, the recent discovery of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin channels offers new possibilities for the sensitive and rapid evaluation of Mg status in humans." Bhutto ltaf, Abdul Aziz Mastoi, Sikander A Memon, Qureshi G. Ali and Aftab A. Qureshi, "MAGNESIUM AND ITS ESSENTIAL ROLE IN HEALTH," Journal Liaquat University of Medicine and Health Sciences [ LUMHS ], JANUARY – APRIL, 2005. Mg role in health Bilbey, Douglas L.J. and Prabhakaran, Victor M. Muscle cramps and magnesium deficiency: case reports. Canadian Family Physician, Vol. 42, July 1996, pp. 1348-51. Bilbey: Mag muscle cramps 1996 Alturas,Drs. Bella and Burton, "Blood Ionized Magnesium Test," State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, New York, New York 11203, USA. (718) 270-2194 or (718) 270-2205. Braun Patricia Ann, "Magnesium Therapy, 1993. Article by Braun Magnesium Therapy: muscle cramps is no longer active. Burn Robin, "The effect of Magnesium Deficiency on Brain Function: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neurology, Genetics and Remedial Solutions," The Autism Centre, March, 2009. Article by Burn Magnesium Deficiency and autism UK is no longer active. Coates Paul M., "Magnesium," Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH, Mag info Dean Carolyn, " The Magnesium Miracle," Jigsaw Health, 02009. Article by Dean Mg miracle is no longer active. epartment of Family Medicine, Pomeranian Medical Academy, Poland: "The effects of magnesium physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with ADHD," Mag Res 1997; 10(2):149-56. The report from this institute states that dietetic factors can play a significant role in the origin of ADHD and that magnesium deficiency can result in disruptive behaviors. Mg & autism Grisanti Ronald J., "Magnesium deficiency & sudden death," The Grisanti Report, January 12, 2003. Grisanti: Hg & sudden death 2003 Higdon Jane, "Iodine," Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, March, 2010. Higdon: Iodine 2010 Larsen Report 2009. Larsen Mag report 2009 Linus Pauling Institute, "Magnesium," Microinformation Nutrient Center, Oregon State University, Updated and reviewed in August 2007. Linus Pauling Institute: Mg summary 2006 McKeown Nicola M., Paul F. Jacques, Xinli L. Zhang, Wenyen Juan, Nadine R. Sahyoun, "Dietary magnesium intake is related to metabolic syndrome in older Americans," Eur J Nutr, June 16, 2008. 47:210–216. Article by McKeown Mg prevalence of the MS in older adults is no longer active. Meresmaa, Randolph "Magnesium and Cancer - How Magnesium Cures Cancer." Magnesium and Cancer - How Magnesium Cures Cancer. 18 Apr. 2009 EzineArticles.com. 16 Apr. 2010. Meresmaa: Magnesium-Cures-Cancer2009 Magnesium online, "Magnesium," Magnesium online resource Center. Mg online: Mg & osteoporosis 2018 Mitlyansky Natalie, "Mineral deficiency - Magnesium deficiency," Holistic Clinic News, January, 2009. Article by Mitlyansky Mag deficiency is no longer active. Mladen D., et la., " Magnesium in Ageing: Facts or Myths," from Editors of Textbook: Bernhardt Nancy E., and Artur M. Kasko, Nutrition for the Middle Aged and Elderly, Nova Science Publications, , 2008. Mladen: Magnesium in Aging: Facts or Myths 2008 Nadler Jerry L., "Diabetes and Magnesium: The Emerging Role of Oral Magnesium Supplementation," Magnesium online Library, February 15, 2002. Mg and diabetes 2002 Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center, "Calcium, Magnesium, and Boron: Their Combined Roles in Maintaining Bone Strength," This article originally published by Newnham, Ph.D., D.O., Rex E. Journal of Applied Nutrition, (Volume 46, Issue 3, 1994. Nat Health & Logevity: Cofactor in bone strength 1994 "Approximately 75 percent of the United States population is deficient in magnesium." Nielsen Forrest H., Henry C Lukaski, "Update on the relationship between magnesium and exercise, " Magnesium Research. Volume 19, Numéro 3, 180-9, September 2006. Mg and exercise review Ryder, K.M. et al. Magnesium Intake from Food and Supplements Is Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Older White Subjects. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 53, November 2005, pp. 1875-80. Seelig Mildred S., "Magnesium (Mg) treatment or supplementation is often needed when calcium (Ca) intake is increaded," Braine Journal, The Magnesium Web Site, January 8, 1998/ Seelig: Hg balancing with Ca 1998 Wikipedia, "Magnesium deficiency[ medicine ]," wiki mg def |