Magnesium

The Role of magnesium

Magnesium plays a key role in many metabolic functions: it promotes muscle and nerve action, it is essential for normal heart beat, bone and teeth formation and generally for the growth and repair of body cells. It is involved in energy production and regulates body temperature. It ensures the right distribution of phosphorus, sodium, potassium and calcium across cell membranes as well as the proper absorption of B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and E. It is also necessary in the production of testosterone and progesterone.

Sources of magnesium

• Food:
  Magnesium is found in nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, soybeans, shrimps, green leafy vegetables (except spinach), whole grains, oats, wheat, barley, garlic, figs, Brewer's yeast, molasses, seafood, fish and pure cocoa.
• Supplements:
  Poor diet and diseases can deplete magnesium levels. Magnesium supplements are available at health food stores in the following forms:
  • Magnesium ascorbate .
  • Magnesium gluconate.
  • Magnesium oxide.
  • Magnesium citrate - citrate salts of magnesium are easier to absorb than other forms.
  • Chelated magnesium
  • Magnesium sulphate - also known as Epsom salts
    
  Injections of magnesium must be administered by a specialist at a hospital or laboratory.

Conditions that may benefit from magnesium intake

Alcoholism Asthma
Allergies
Eczema Celiac disease
Crohn's disease
Autism
ADD/ADHD
Tourette's syndrome
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Hypertension
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular diseases
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Muscular dystrophy
PMT (pre-menstrual tension)
Preeclampsia
Constipation
Heartburn
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Chronic Fatigue
Edema
Headaches
Migraines
Insomnia
Multiple sclerosis
Kidney stones

Hypomagnesemia (magnesium deficiency)

Symptoms: Insomnia, memory loss, muscle cramps, involuntary eye movement, palpitations, nervousness, hyperactive behaviour, anxiety, PMT, depression, migraine, constipation, vertigo, disorientation, ataxia (defective muscular co-ordination), tetany, tremors, seizures, impairment in muscle function particularly in cardiovascular diseases. Magnesium deficiency is usually found with potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) and calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia).

Causes: Kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism, inadequate food intake or intestinal absorption, high protein diet, refined food, high intake of calcium phosphate, vitamin D, laxative and medication abuse and pancreatitis.

Hypermagnesemia (high levels of magnesium)

Symptoms: Muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, drowsiness and coma. Hypermagnesemia is not common because excess levels of magnesium are usually eliminated by the kidneys.

Causes: Kidney failure, overdose of magnesium, lithium therapy, hypothyroidism, Addison disease and depression. The treatment of Hypermagnesemia consists of stopping all intakes of magnesium and the administration of calcium which inhibits the toxic effect of magnesium.

We strongly recommend that you consult a doctor before taking any medication.

Resources

Simple tests can be run to assess levels of magnesium. The following laboratories provide mail order services:

Biolab
The Stone House
9 Weymouth Street
London W1W 6DB
Tel: 020 7636 5959
http://www.biolab.co.uk

York Nutritional Laboratory
Murton Way
Osbaldwick
York YO19 5US
Tel: 01904 777722
http://www.allergy.co.uk

Health Interlink Ltd.
Interlink House
Unit B,
Asfordby Business Park
Welby
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire LE14 3JL
Tel: 01664 810011

The Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory
63 Zillicoa Street
Asheville
NC 28801-1074 USA
Tel: (001) 800 522 4762
http://www.gsdl.com

Naturopaths

General Council and Register of Naturopaths
Goswell House
2 Goswell Road
Street
Somerset BA16 0JG
Tel: 08707 456 984
http://www.naturopathy.org.uk/

The British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy
Lief House
3 Sumpter Close
120-122 Finchley Road
London NW3 5HR
Tel: 020 7435 6464
http://www.bcno.org.uk

Nutritionists

Institute for Optimum Nutrition
Blades Court
Deodar Road
Putney
London SW15 2NU
Tel: 020 8877 9993
http://www.ion.ac.uk/

The British Society for Allergy, Environmental and Nutritional Medicine (BSAENM)
PO Box 7
Knighton
Powys LD8 2WF
Tel: 01547 550 380
http://www.bsaenm.org.uk
Provide information on practitioners, organise scientific conferences

Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy (SPNT)
BCM Waterfall
London WC1N 3XX
Tel: 07092 237239

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