Dear Subscriber,
Magnesium is a most important mineral largely ignored by conventional medicine. Most alternative docs pay careful attention to it. Dr. Kenner below gives a good presentation on why it is in his “Favorite Supplements” category. At the end, he provides a link to get his favorite form of magnesium. The outlet provides a 10% coupon code discount: “Dan”.
Please note that serum magnesium tests are insufficient as you will read. RBC (red cell) magnesium is far superior as that measure let’s you know how much magnesium is actually INSIDE cells, where it should be. And please know that calcium supplements unbalanced with magnesium is not a good idea, as you will read.
Please enjoy,
Robert Jay Rowen, MD
From Dr. Dan Kenner:
My Favorite Supplements: Magnesium
I mentioned this before when I reported that the sugar industry invented the cholesterol myth to divert attention from the fact that sugar consumption is the real cause of cardiovascular disease. This was even reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1968. Here is the reason why: sugar (and alcohol) leaches out magnesium from the body’s tissues. After decades now of recommendations for a “heart-healthy” diet, recommendations to reduce meat consumption, recommendations to use those horrid seed oils (especially canola and soybean) in place of saturated fats, all of which is bogus health information, heart disease still remains the number one cause of mortality. After those decades of supposed new wisdom about how to prevent heart disease, nothing has changed. It’s still Number One!
Why? Because sugar addiction is still rampant. For this reason, out of all the macronutrient minerals in the human body, magnesium is the one most likely to be deficient.
The highest tissue concentrations of magnesium, outside of bone, are in the two organs with the highest electrical activity: the heart and the brain. Hormone-producing glands like the thyroid, ovaries and testes are also metabolically very active, so they require even more cellular energy and more magnesium than other tissues.
Magnesium is one of the most versatile minerals in the body with a wide range of effects on almost all systems of the body. A magnesium deficiency is likely if you have anxiety, headaches, muscle cramps or twitches, such as leg cramps or eyelid twitches, tremors, fatigue, depression, insomnia, PMS or menstrual cramps. Magnesium deficiency is implicated in a wide variety of major health challenges, including atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias, fibromyalgia, diabetes, migraines, and osteoporosis may result from a long-term magnesium deficiency. If you take a diuretic for high blood pressure, or medications for acid reflux, you need to restore magnesium levels. Magnesium is also a big player in emergency rooms, where it is used to treat severe heart arrhythmias, heart attacks, migraine and the toxemia of pregnancy.
Over the last 100 years, daily dietary intake of magnesium has decreased from 500 mg. a day to about 200 mg., largely due to high consumption of sugar, higher stress levels and lower availability in food because of chemically-treated crops grown in depleted soil. Sugar and alcohol consumption are the main reasons for depletion of magnesium.
It is difficult to replace enough magnesium through diet alone. Magnesium is in chlorophyll, so it’s found in all green vegetables and is found in larger amounts in oat bran. Other sources includegarbanzo beans, bone broth, blackstrap molasses, almonds, cashews, avocado, fish, buckwheat, wheat germ, and pumpkin seeds. One of the best sources of magnesium is seaweed like kelp (kombu is a type of kelp) and other sea vegetables. I supplement with magnesium orotate, but magnesium threonate, aspartate, arginate, glycinate or ascorbate are also more bioavailable. Some forms are poorly absorbable such as magnesium oxide, carbonate, chloride and gluconate. Magnesium citrate can also cause diarrhea.
Even absorbable magnesium can take a long time to satisfy the body’s needs. New research has shown that absorbing magnesium through the skin is the most efficient way to deliver a sufficient quantity, short of intravenous treatment. Since sugar and alcohol, as well as stress can deplete the body’s magnesium stores, the dosage needs to be raised to compensate for their, hopefully only occasional, use.
Why Magnesium Orotate?
Orotates are the mineral salts of orotic acid, a natural substance found in our bodies and also in various foods, including whey. As theorized many years ago by the pioneering German physician Hans Nieper, orotates are a component of a natural system of electrolyte carriers for distributing minerals throughout the body. Nieper used the mineral orotates to penetrate heart tissue in his treatment method of cardiac arrhythmia.
Nieper found that molecules of calcium orotate and magnesium orotate can pass through cell membranes intact without “dissociating” or breaking apart into their component ions, and thereafter release their respective ions only at specific membrane sites within the cell. Subsequently, he extended this principle to include other orotates such as potassium, lithium, and zinc.
Nieper was famous as an innovative alternative medicine doctor. Originally an outsider, his ideas about cancer treatment became accepted by many doctors in Germany. He treated Ronald Reagan for cancer using, among other things, an extract of Venus’ Flytrap, developed by Dr. Helmut Keller (Carnivora). Reagan had cancer three different times and even had surgery for it, but used alternatives for much of his treatment. One might note that Reagan did not die of cancer, but in his nineties, of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to cholesterol-lowering and heart-energizing effects, magnesium orotate has also been reported to improve the elasticity of blood vessels. Dr. Nieper was able to show that a daily dose of 380 mg. magnesium orotate over 15 months was sufficient to normalize or greatly improve the elasticity of peripheral blood vessels in 60 of 64 patients. Such an effect on vessel elasticity suggests the use of magnesium orotate for lowering blood pressure as well as for inhibiting arteriosclerosis.
How do you know if you’re deficient?
The typical blood serum test for magnesium is inaccurate. When the magnesium level in the bloodstream drops, mechanisms in the body bring it back up by dragging magnesium out of the bones and muscles. The reason for this is the heart muscle requires a constant level of magnesium or it will go into spasm, that is, a heart attack! A better blood test is the Magnesium RBC test. This measures the amount of magnesium actually in the blood cells and is a better indication of the amount of available magnesium in the body.
Cardiovascular Disease
In 2013, the upshot of a “groundbreaking” review covering what was known about cardiovascular disease from as early as 1937 found that low magnesium levels, not high cholesterol or excessive consumption of saturated fat, are the leading cause of many aspects of heart disease.
A ten-year research study, conducted by scientist and author Andrea Rosanoff, Ph.D., was based on the research of Dr. Mildred Seelig, who studied the relationship between magnesium and cardiovascular disease for more than 40 years. Seelig noted:
“These numerous studies have found low magnesium to be associated with all known cardiovascular risk factors, such as cholesterol and high blood pressure, arterial plaque build-up (atherogenesis), hardening of the arteries and the calcification of soft tissues. This means we have been chasing our tails all of these years going after cholesterol and the high saturated-fat diet, when the true culprit was and still is low magnesium.”
As early as 1957, Rosanoff says, it was very clear that low magnesium was “strongly, convincingly, a cause of atherogenesis and the calcification of soft tissues. But this research was widely and immediately ignored as cholesterol and the high saturated-fat diet became the culprits to fight.”
Maier J, Low magnesium and atherosclerosis: an evidence-based link, Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 2003; 24:137–146.
Chiuve S, Korngold E, Januzzi J, et al. Plasma and dietary magnesium and risk of sudden cardiac death in women, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011; 93(2):253–260.
Magnesium also lowers blood pressure: “Magnesium supplementation appears to achieve a small but clinically significant reduction in BP, an effect worthy of future prospective large randomized trials using solid methodology.”
.
Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L, Effect of magnesium supplementation on BLOOD PRESSURE: a meta-analysis, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2012 Apr; 66(4):411-8. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2012.4. Epub 2012 Feb 8.
Itoh K, Kawasaka T, Nakamura M. The effects of high oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure, serum lipids and related variables in apparently healthy Japanese subjects, British Journal of Nutrition, 1997 Nov;78(5):737-50.
Chronic magnesium deficiency has also been implicated in some cases of TIA or mini-strokes.
Fehlinger R, Fauk D, Seidel K. Hypomagnesemia and transient ischemia cerebral attacks, Magnesium Bulletin, 1984; 6: 100-104.
Bone Health
According to a study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, researchers identified an association between low serum magnesium levels and an increased risk of fracture. Most patients with osteoporosis who want to optimize their bone health are told by their conventional doctor to take calcium and vitamin D supplementation, yet most never recommend magnesium to their patients. It’s not calcium but magnesium that strengthens your bones. The evidence that high calcium intakes reduce fracture risk is not very strong. Magnesium aids calcium absorption into bones, but the opposite is not true, with excess calcium interfering with magnesium uptake. Silicon supplementation is also necessary for treatment of osteoporosis.
It is necessary to have magnesium available for calcium to be transported through the body in liquid form. If there is not enough magnesium, calcium will precipitate and land in the arteries, the heart, the lens of the eye to form cataracts, onto the bones to cause bone spurs or infiltrate other tissues. In natural medicine we say that if there is not enough magnesium, the bones get soft and the muscles get hard.
Nervous System
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, but only 1% circulates in the blood. The highest concentration is in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This biological fact underscores the importance of magnesium for optimal neurological health: the body works to keep CSF magnesium levels stable.
Clinical trials have shown that magnesium may ease depression, remarkably rapidly. As the authors of a research study wrote, “Magnesium is effective for mild-to-moderate depression in adults. Effects were observed within two weeks.”
Tarleton E, Littenberg B, MacLean C, Kennedy A, Daley C. Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial, 2017; PLoS ONE 12(6): e0180067. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180067
Magnesium helps with Anxiety and Stress
A deficiency in magnesium can cause psychiatric symptoms like irritability, anxiety, agitation, and panic attacks. Magnesium is very effective for mild-to-moderate depression in adults. It works quickly and is well tolerated without the need for monitoring for toxicity, which is necessary with many of the prescription drugs used to treat anxiety and depression. A study in 2008 revealed that magnesium supplementation was equal in efficacy to tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment of depression among elderly diabetics.
Barragán-Rodríguez L, Rodríguez-Morán M, Guerrero-Romero F. Efficacy and safety of oral magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression in the elderly with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, equivalent trial. Magnesium Research 2008; 21: 218–223.
Hormones and the Female Monthly Cycle
Magnesium can not only relieve the irritability and pain related to premenstrual syndrome; it has been shown to reduce hot flashes by 50%. Magnesium regulates the stress hormone cortisol, so it helps reduce stress from all causes. It is involved in the manufacture of steroid hormones such as progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. Emergency injections of magnesium have been the time-honored treatment for often tragically fatal toxemia of pregnancy for over 60 years.
Magnesium is also essential for the production of thyroid hormone. Magnesium lowers blood sugar and lowers insulin resistance. It is so effective at sensitizing the insulin receptors that it has been called “natural Metformin.” Better insulin control also means fewer sugar cravings.
Allergies
Magnesium deficiency promotes histamine release. Excess histamine can be responsible for intestinal spasms mimicking colitis, cerebral vascular spasms like migraine, bronchial spasms of asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, fallopian spasms of infertility, and chemical sensitivities.
Nishio A, Ishiguro S, Miyao N. Specific change of histamine metabolism in acute magnesium-deficient young rats, Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 1987; 5(2):89-96.
Energy
Magnesium orotate is also for healthy athletes. In a double-blind, randomized study, competitive triathletes were studied after four weeks of supplementation with placebo or magnesium orotate. Blood was collected before and after a test consisting of a 380-meter swim, a 20-km bicycle race, and a 5-km run. Compared to placebo, magnesium orotate caused a greater increase during the test in serum glucose and venous partial pressure of oxygen, and a greater decrease in serum insulin, blood acidity, and serum cortisol. The exercising athletes had greater endurance as a result of the magnesium orotate supplements. By contrast, a different study in which athletes were supplemented with magnesium oxide (which is relatively poorly absorbed) reported no improvement in exercise performance, attesting to the superior uptake of magnesium in the orotate form compared to the oxide. Another study found that increasing levels of magnesium can increase testosterone production. This effect can be augmented when magnesium supplementation was combined with exercise.
Energy is produced in our cells by the chemical reaction of a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Magnesium is intricately involved with sugar metabolism and ATP energy production. We can safely say that there is no cellular energy produced in the mitochondria (the cells’ batteries) without magnesium.
Important for Cellular Biochemistry
Magnesium is also a coenzyme or cofactor for over 300 biochemical reactions. Over 300 enzymes require magnesium ions for its catalytic action, including all enzymes utilizing or synthesizing ATP, or those that use other nucleotides to synthesize DNA and RNA, and those concerned with sugar metabolism (glycolysis), cell respiration and transmembrane transport of other ions such as sodium and calcium.
Prevention
Sufficient magnesium can prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, nervous system disorders, chronic pain, kidney disease osteoporosis, cystitis, bowel disease and more. Magnesium deficiency may be the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, especially now that sugar, not saturated fat, has been identified as the leading dietary factor to cause heart disease and strokes. Researchers at Zhejiang University and Zhengzhou University in China found that more than one million people across nine countries who consumed the most magnesium tested out with a 10% lower risk of coronary heart disease, a 12% lower stroke risk and a 26% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Taking magnesium orally and regularly bathing in a magnesium-salt bath could be the most important thing you do for your health, longevity and quality of life.
Magnesium Deficiency Triggers or Causes the Following Conditions:
1. Anxiety and Panic attacks- Magnesium (Mg) normally keeps adrenal stress hormones under control.
2. Asthma- Both histamine production and bronchial spasms increase with Mg deficiency.
3. Blood clots- Mg has an important role to play in preventing blood clots and keeping the blood thin-much like aspirin but without the side effects.
4. Bowel disease- Mg deficiency slows down the bowel causing constipation, which could lead to toxicity and malabsorption of nutrients, as well as colitis.
5. Cystitis- Bladder spasms are worsened by Mg deficiency.
6. Depression-Serotonin, which elevates moods, is dependent on Mg. A Mg-deficient brain is also more susceptible to allergens, foreign substances that can cause symptoms similar to mental illness.
7. Detoxification- Mg is crucial for the removal of toxic substances and heavy metals such as aluminum and lead.
8. Diabetes- Mg enhances insulin secretion, facilitating sugar metabolism. Without Mg insulin is not able to transfer glucose into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood causing various types of tissue damage.
9. Fatigue- Mg-deficient patients commonly experience fatigue because dozens of enzyme systems are under-functioning. An early symptom of Mg deficiency is frequently fatigue.
10. Heart disease- Mg deficiency is common in people with heart disease. Mg is administered in hospitals for acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmia. Like any other muscle, the heart muscle requires Mg. Mg is also used to treat angina, or chest pain.
11. Hypertension- With insufficient Mg, spasm of blood vessels and high cholesterol occur, both of which lead to blood pressure problems.
12. Hypoglycemia- Mg keeps insulin under control; without Mg episodes of low blood sugar can result.
13. Insomnia- Sleep-regulating melatonin production is disturbed without sufficient Mg.
14. Kidney Disease- Mg deficiency contributes to atherosclerotic kidney failure. Mg deficiency creates abnormal lipid levels and worsening blood sugar control in kidney transplant patients.
15. Liver Disease leading to liver failure- Mg deficiency commonly occurs during liver transplantation.
16. Migraine- Serotonin balance is Mg-dependent. Deficiency of serotonin can result in migraine headaches and depression.
17. Musculoskeletal conditions- Fibrositis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, eye twitches, cramps and chronic neck and back pain may be caused by Mg deficiency and can be relieved with Mg supplements.
18. Nerve problems- Mg alleviates peripheral nerve disturbances throughout the whole body, such as migraines, muscle contractions, gastrointestinal spasms, and calf, foot and toe cramps. It is also used in treating central nervous symptoms of vertigo and confusion.
19. Obstetrics and Gynecology- Mg prevents Premenstrual Syndrome; prevents dysmenorrhea (cramping pain during menses); is important in the treatment of infertility; and alleviates premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in pregnancy. Intravenous Mg is given in obstetrical wards for pregnancy-induced hypertension and to lessen the risk of cerebral palsy and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mg should be a required supplement for pregnant mothers.
20. Osteoporosis- Use of calcium with Vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption without a balancing amount of Mg causes further Mg deficiency, which triggers a cascade of events leading to bone loss.
21. Raynaud’s Syndrome- Mg helps relax the spastic blood vessels that cause pain and numbness of the fingers.
22. Tooth decay - Mg deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth. Material excerpted from Dean, Carolyn, The Miracle of Magnesium (Ballantine Books: New York, NY), 2003; pp. 5-7.
Magnesium orotate is available at www.ormedinstitute.com
Use Coupon Code “Dan” for a 10% discount on orders.
Dosage is an important issue and always individual. I would say that if someone has active symptoms of magnesium deficiency, such as tight muscle, calf spasms, insomnia, etc., I would recommend a dose of 2 grams a day. That's two 500 mg. capsules twice a day. It takes months to get the blood magnesium levels up. You can speed this up by bathing in Epsom salt once a week, or getting it intravenously . I always take a couple of extra capsules if I've had sugar or alcohol. I found that if I had had too much sugar or alcohol, I could get muscle spasm in my back the next morning.
I like the orotate because of its deep penetration; Dr. Nieper used it to treat heart tissue. I also like orotate because the calcium, potassium and lithium orotates are very bioavailable. But the best quality chelates in general for magnesium are the amino acid chelates, like arginate, aspartate, glycinate, etc.
You don't need the quotation marks. I'll make sure the discount is there. Dan