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Glossary: Magnesium
 


Definition
An essential mineral. The chief function of magnesium is to activate certain enzymes, especially those related to carbohydrate metabolism. Another role is to maintain the electrical potential across nerve and muscle membranes. It is essential for proper heartbeat and nerve transmission. Magnesium controls many cellular functions. It is involved in protein formation, DNA production and function and in the storage and release of energy in ATP. Magnesium is closely related to calcium and phosphorus in body function. The average adult body contains approximately one ounce of magnesium. It is the fifth mineral in abundance within the body--behind calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Although about 70 percent of the body's magnesium is contained in the teeth and bones, its most important functions are carried out by the remainder which is present in the cells of the soft tissues and in the fluid surrounding those cells.

Topics Related To Magnesium
AcidosisThe Condition
"...This deprives the body of alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium and leaves us prone to chronic and degenerative diseases..."

Addictions / Addictive Tendencies

The Condition
"...Calcium and Magnesium help nourish the central nervous system and help control tremors by calming the body..."

Alcoholism Recovery Issues

Recommendation Magnesium
"Alcoholics tend to have low magnesium levels, and this mineral can be helpful during withdrawal..."

Alcohol-related Problems

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"People who abuse alcohol are at high risk for magnesium deficiency because alcohol increases urinary excretion of magnesium..."

Alfalfa

As A Treatment
"...Because its deep root system reaches where other plants can not, Alfalfa is a rich source of the minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, and trace minerals..."

Aluminum Consumption Avoidance

As A Treatment
"...It is believed that when iron, and calcium, and to a lesser degree magnesium, silicon and zinc levels drop, the uptake of aluminium worsens..."

Angina

Recommendation Bromelain
"...A reduction in the incidence of heart attacks after administration of potassium and magnesium orotate along with 120-400mg of bromelain per day has been reported also..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium insufficiency-induced coronary artery spasm, more common in men than women, is now recognized as an important cause of myocardial infarction and may be of significance in angina pectoris..."

Anorexia / Starvation Tendency

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include fatigue, anorexia, irritability, insomnia, and muscle tremors or twitching..."

Anxiety

The Condition
"...Treatment & Prevention Nutrients such as calcium and magnesium, B-vitamins, niacinamide, B12 injections (especially if stomach acid production is insufficient), tryptophan with inositol and chromium, valerian root, and GABA can have a calming effect..."

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Magnesium deficiency causes increased levels of adrenaline, which can lead to a feeling of anxiety..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Because of its nerve and muscle support, magnesium may also be helpful for nervousness and anxiety..."

Arrhythmias/Dysrhythmias

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Myocardial magnesium was measured in 8 young patients (mean age 32) with ventricular tachycardia of less than 30 seconds in duration who underwent endomyocardial biopsy..."

Recommendation Potassium
"...Potassium and magnesium may be valuable in preventing tachyarrhythmias in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome..."

Recommendation Chelation Therapy
"...This may be due to the magnesium content..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"A magnesium deficiency can produce electrical changes in the heart muscle and thus lead to arrhythmia..."

Asthma

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium levels are frequently low in asthmatics..."

Atherosclerosis

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium is helpful in preventing blood vessel calcification (and thereby atherosclerosis)..."

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium is often given as part of a treatment for hyperactivity in kids, usually along with vitamin B6..."

Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
"See the link between ADHD and Magnesium..."

Beet Leaf

As A Treatment
"...Beet leaves are also an excellent source of magnesium..."

Black Radish

As A Treatment
"...The black radish is very high in sulfur, potassium, iron, and magnesium..."

Body Odor

The Condition
"...Dietary imbalances, resulting in constipation or a deficiency of magnesium or zinc may be other causes of body odor..."

Recommendation Vitamin B-Complex
"A high-potency B-vitamin (50mg or higher), when combined with magnesium, will help reduce certain secretions that can be a cause of odor..."

Recommendation Zinc
"...Zinc, plus magnesium, will help balance your body's metabolism and reduce the cause of bad odor..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Take magnesium supplements or augment your diet with food sources high in this important mineral..."

Boron

Related Topic
"A mineral that may play a role in maintaining strong bones, affecting calcium and magnesium metabolism and proper membrane function..."

Bruxism (Clenching/Grinding Teeth)

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"According to Ploceniak, prolonged magnesium administration nearly always provides a cure for bruxism..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Until further research is done, the best strategy may involve taking the following on a daily basis: magnesium, calcium and pantothenic acid..."

Recommendation Calcium
"See the link between Bruxism and Magnesium..."

Recommendation Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
"See the link between Bruxism and Magnesium..."

Calcium Requirement

Our Question about magnesium supplementation
"A high intake of magnesium might impair absorption and use of calcium..."

Carcinoid Cancer

Relationship to General Mineral Requirement
"When diarrhea is present, minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and even salt may be deficient and should be replaced as necessary..."

Cardiomyopathy

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Myocardial magnesium was measured in 8 young patients (mean age 32) with ventricular tachycardia of less than 30 seconds in duration who underwent endomyocardial biopsy..."

Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The Condition
"...Nutritional Inadequacies: Nutritional deficiencies, especially of the B-complex vitamins, magnesium or iron may be aggravated by malabsorption or increased utilization..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Fatigue is sometimes reduced with magnesium (and potassium) supplementation..."

Chronic Renal Insufficiency

Relationship to Magnesium Toxicity
"High levels of magnesium can develop in patients with kidney failure and in elderly people whose kidney functions are reduced..."

Recommendation against Magnesium
"If you have kidney problems, taking magnesium supplements may make you accumulate the mineral too quickly, which could be toxic..."

Cirrhosis of the Liver

The Condition
"...This disease may also alter the results of the following tests ... Serum magnesium..."

Cluster Headaches

Recommendation Magnesium
"People who suffer from cluster headaches often have low blood levels of magnesium, and preliminary trials show that intravenous magnesium injections may relieve a cluster headache episode..."

Cocaine Addiction

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium has been substituted for cocaine and can result in reduced cocaine intake..."

Constipation

The Condition
"...Treatment & Prevention Saline oral preparations and enemas, Epsom salts, or magnesium citrate preparations can be safely used if necessary for acute constipation..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"When given orally in sufficient quantities, magnesium citrate or sulfate (Epsom salts) is not fully absorbed but attracts water into the colon and thus acts as an effective laxative..."

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Recommendation Test Magnesium Levels
"There is a possibility that magnesium deficiency contributes to pulmonary complications..."

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

Recommendation Increased Legume Consumption
"...Legumes contain low levels of sodium and high levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium - a combination that is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease..."

Creatinine Monohydrate

As A Treatment
"...It can cause muscle cramping, which is easily combated by taking some extra magnesium..."

Dairy Products Avoidance

As A Treatment
"...Milk and dairy products contain only small amounts of magnesium..."

Depression

Recommendation Magnesium
"Because of its nerve and muscle support, magnesium may also be helpful for depression..."

Diabetes Type II

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"...A low intake of magnesium, which is a common deficiency, has been associated with insulin resistance and diabetes in several studies..."

Diarrhea

The Condition
"...It is important to investigate medication use; acute diarrhea is a common side-effect of a "new" medicine or one containing magnesium..."

Eclampsia / Preeclampsia

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium has been used specifically to lower blood pressure in pregnant women with preeclampsia, and as a mild anticonvulsant in cases where the condition progresses to eclampsia..."

Essential Fatty Acids

As A Treatment
"...Omega-6 conversion can be inhibited by bad fats (margarines, shortenings, trans-fatty acids, hard fats, sugar and cholesterol), lack of minerals (magnesium, selenium, zinc), vitamin deficiencies (B3, B6, C, E), viruses, obesity, diabetes, aging, and rare genetic mutations..."

General Mineral Requirement

The Condition
"...For this reason, modern crops are frequently grown in depleted soils; in fact, most American farmland is severely depleted of selenium and often contains only marginal levels of zinc, magnesium, calcium and other minerals..."

Gestational Diabetes Tendency

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"By impairing pancreatic insulin production, magnesium deficiency may increase the tendency towards hyperglycemia in cases of gestational diabetes..."

Gonads

Related Topic
"...Nutritional needs for the gonads vary somewhat, but all require plenty of essential fatty acids, vitamins C, E and B-complex, the minerals calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron and zinc..."

Heartburn / GERD / Acid Reflux

Recommendation Bladderwrack
"An over-the-counter antacid, Gaviscon®, containing magnesium carbonate and sodium alginate (the sodium salt of alginic acid, an active component of bladderwrack), has been shown to effectively relieve the symptoms of heartburn compared to other..."

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium is thought to reduce lead toxicity and its buildup, possibly through competing for absorption..."

Recommendation Magnesium Malate
"Magnesium malate may be one of the few compounds capable of pulling aluminum from the body over time..."

Hypersomnolence

Relationship to Magnesium Toxicity
"The symptoms of magnesium toxicity include central nervous system depression, muscle weakness, fatigue and sleepiness..."

Hypertension

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium has a mild effect on lowering blood pressure and so is used to treat and prevent hypertension and its effects..."

Hyperthyroidism

Recommendation Dairy Products Avoidance
"One doctor reports that taking calcium without magnesium is one of the worst things you can do if you have hyperthyroidism because this increases any magnesium deficiency and increases the heart rate and likelihood of arrhythmia..."

Hypothalamus / Pituitary / Pineal Dysfunction

The Condition
"...Magnesium and potassium are important minerals..."

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Recommendation Fennel
"Other herbs and products used with varying success include: fennel, dandelion, skullcap, licorice, peppermint, valerian, slippery elm, cranberry, glutamine, MSM, magnesium, and gamma-oryzanol..."

Insomnia

Recommendation Magnesium
"Because of its nerve and muscle support, magnesium may also be helpful for insomnia..."

Intermittent Claudication

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium may increase blood flow by helping to dilate blood vessels..."

Intestinal Malabsorption Syndrome

The Condition
"...Decreased serum levels of total protein, albumin, y-globulin, iron, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and cholesterol result from impaired intestinal absorption..."

Kelp

As A Treatment
"...Rich in iodine, iron, copper, magnesium and calcium, kelp is also an excellent source of many trace minerals..."

Kidney Disease

Recommendation against Magnesium
"If you have kidney problems, taking magnesium supplements may make you accumulate the mineral too quickly, which could be toxic..."

Kidney Stones (Urolithiasis)

Recommendation Magnesium
"By increasing calcium solubility (especially in the urine) and reducing calcium absorption, magnesium can help prevent kidney stones, especially those composed of calcium oxalate..."

Leg Cramps At Night

The Condition
"...Low levels of certain minerals known as electrolytes - magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium - have long been linked to leg cramps..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Because of its nerve and muscle support, magnesium may also be helpful for muscle cramps..."

Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Magnesium deficiency has been found to be more common in patients with diabetes, liver disease or malabsorption problems..."

Liver/Gall Bladder Flush

As A Treatment
"...A different cathartic such as Citroma (magnesium citrate) can be used, but Epsom salts may be best because it helps relax bile ducts and valves..."

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

Recommendation Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
"Key nutrients to aid adrenal function include vitamin C, B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6, zinc, and magnesium..."

Low Back Pain

Recommendation Magnesium
"Some doctors consider the use of magnesium to be beneficial for reducing muscle spasm..."

Magnesium

As A Treatment
"Magnesium is an important mineral that helps improve stamina, endurance, vitality, and energy levels..."

Magnesium Malate

As A Treatment
"Magnesium is an essential mineral needed by every cell of your body to help maintain normal cardiovascular, muscle, nerve, bone, and cellular function..."

Magnesium Requirement

The Condition
"Magnesium is a mineral needed by every cell of your body..."

Our Question about difficulty falling asleep
"Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include fatigue, anorexia, irritability, insomnia, and muscle tremors or twitching..."

Relationship to Atherosclerosis
"Experimental studies have demonstrated a correlation between magnesium deficiency and atherosclerosis, but without any clear evidence to determine the mechanisms involved..."

Magnesium Toxicity

The Condition
"Dietary magnesium very rarely poses a health risk, but very high doses of magnesium supplements, which may be added to laxatives for example, can promote adverse effects such as diarrhea..."

Our Question about your age
"...This increases the likelihood of magnesium overload in the aged..."

Relationship to Calcium Requirement
"Calcium and magnesium levels need to be maintained in balance since they have an antagonistic relationship..."

Malic Acid

As A Treatment
"...The low oxygen levels require ATP to be made in an anaerobic environment, a set of reactions in which malate (the anion of malic acid) and magnesium are both required..."

Manganese

As A Treatment
"...As a dietary mineral it is less well understood than calcium and magnesium, as far as its absorption and transport dynamics..."

Metabolic Diet Type

The Condition
"...Nutrients to De-emphasize: Potassium, Magnesium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Silicone, Boron, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, Paba, biotin, and Folic acid..."

Meyer's Cocktail

As A Treatment
"...Source It contains magnesium chloride hexahydrate (5cc given), calcium gluconate (2..."

Migraine/Tension Headaches

Recommendation Magnesium
"Several researchers have provided substantial links between low magnesium levels and both migraine and tension headaches, based on both theory and clinical observations..."

Mineral Testing

As A Treatment
"...Serum magnesium is an example of a serum blood test that yields less than useful information..."

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Recommendation Magnesium
"Research has shown that 85% of patients with mitral valve prolapse have latent tetany due to chronic magnesium deficiency..."

Multiple Mineral Supplementation

As A Treatment
"...For example, too much zinc can deplete the body of copper, while excessive calcium intake can affect magnesium absorption..."

Multiple Vitamin Need

The Condition
"...settle for less with a marginal nutrient status? Treatment & Prevention Select populations will benefit from specific supplementation as in the following examples ... A 1989 study found calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese were low in teenage girls..."

Multiple Vitamin Supplement

As A Treatment
"...If you are trying to increase your calcium or magnesium intake, you will probably have to take extra supplements of these nutrients since most multiples contain low amounts..."

Muscle Cramps / Twitching

The Condition
"...Neuromuscular function and muscle control require the minerals magnesium, calcium and potassium..."

Relationship to Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet
"...Along with the toxins created by low-carbohydrate diets, one’s kidneys also flush out critical electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, which may result in muscle cramps or worse..."

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include fatigue, anorexia, irritability, insomnia, and muscle tremors or twitching..."

Relationship to Dehydration
"Excess sweating or dehydration can deplete minerals in the body - minerals that are important for good muscle function, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Because of this function and its nerve and muscle support, magnesium may also be helpful for muscle cramps..."

Osmotic Laxative

Related Topic
"...The most commonly used osmotic laxatives include magnesium hydroxide ("Milk of Magnesia"), magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), sodium potassium tartrate, lactulose, glycerol and polyethylene glycol..."

Osteoarthritis

Recommendation Boron
"...6] Boron influences calcium and magnesium metabolism, possibly through the parathyroid gland..."

Osteoporosis - Osteopenia

The Condition
"...Magnesium..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"You can reverse bone loss and regain bone mass with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K..."

Painful Menstruation (Dysmenorrhea)

Recommendation Magnesium
"Menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression, and water retention have been lessened with magnesium, usually given along with calcium and often with vitamin B6..."

Pancreas

Related Topic
"...Research indicates that chromium vitamins C, E, B-complex, calcium, magnesium and potassium are especially important..."

Polymyositis

The Condition
"...(such as alcohol, cocaine, steroids and lovistatin), metabolic disorders (where muscle cells are unable to process chemicals normally), hormone disorders (such as abnormal thyroid, calcium, and magnesium conditions), and infectious diseases (such as influenza virus, AIDS, streptococcus and Lyme bacteria, pork tapeworm and schistosomiasis)..."

Poor Bone Health

Recommendation Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption
"...Eat other foods high in calcium and magnesium such as seeds and nuts, broccoli, brown rice, avocado, and beans..."

Poor/Slow Wound Healing

Recommendation Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
"...These "recruited" minerals included copper, magnesium, and manganese, all proven to enhance wound repair..."

Potassium Need

Recommendation Magnesium
"Potassium levels depend upon adequate magnesium..."

Pregnancy-Related Issues

The Condition
"...Magnesium - Nausea, Cramps, Edema And More..."

Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
"...Cleft Palate Craniofacial J 1997;34(2):95­100] Like magnesium, vitamin B6, together with vitamin B1, may also ease pregnancy-related leg cramps..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Low magnesium levels are common among women suffering from severe nausea and vomiting, says Miriam Erick, M..."

Recommendation Selenium
"A small study of infertile women and women with a history of miscarriage suggests that low levels of magnesium may impair reproductive function, and may contribute to miscarriage..."

Premenstrual Syndrome

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Magnesium deficiency is strongly implicated as a causative factor in PMS..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression and water retention have been lessened by taking supplemental magnesium, usually given along with calcium and often with vitamin B6..."

Premenstrual Syndrome PMS C (Craving)

The Condition
"...Sodium chloride enhances insulin response to glucose ingestion, and decreased pancreatic magnesium levels result in increased secretion of insulin in response to glucose..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"In initial research, the supplementation of magnesium has resulted in the satisfying of chocolate cravings..."

Premenstrual Syndrome PMS D (Depression)

Recommendation Magnesium
"...A chronic magnesium deficiency may be a contributing factor as it results in increased lead absorption and retention, while decreasing resistance to stress..."

Premenstrual Syndrome PMS H (Headache)

Recommendation Magnesium
"A deficiency in magnesium causes hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, elevated aldosterone levels, and increased extracellular fluid volume..."

Restless Leg Syndrome

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"See the treatment link between RLS and magnesium..."

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium deficiency, which is known to increase neuromuscular excitability, can also cause this syndrome..."

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Recommendation Boron
"...It does influence calcium and magnesium metabolism, and this is possibly through the parathyroid gland..."

Seizure Disorder

Recommendation Magnesium
"Through its nerve- and muscle-relaxing effect, magnesium may be helpful in reducing epileptic seizures caused by nerve excitability..."

Stevia

As A Treatment
"...Stevia also contains protein, fibers, carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, rutin (flavonoid), zinc, vitamin C and vitamin A..."

Stress

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Stress may increase magnesium excretion..."

Relationship to Coronary Disease / Heart Attack
"Stress may increase magnesium excretion and the resulting temporary magnesium depletion may make the heart more sensitive to electrical abnormalities and vascular spasm that could lead to cardiac ischemia..."

Susceptibility To Cavities

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium is helpful in preventing some problems of the teeth, including cavities..."

Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
"See the link between Cavities and Magnesium..."

Susceptibility to Hangovers

The Condition
"Alcohol is a diuretic (causing loss of fluid), which results in a loss of essential salts such as potassium and magnesium..."

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"It is possible that some of the hangover symptoms related to alcohol are in part due to magnesium depletion..."

Susceptibility To Miscarriages

Recommendation Magnesium
"A small study of infertile women and women with a history of miscarriage suggests that low levels of magnesium may impair reproductive function, and may contribute to miscarriage..."

Syndrome X

Recommendation Magnesium
"Magnesium has been shown to improve glucose handling..."

Test Magnesium Levels

As A Treatment
"Since magnesium is mainly an intracellular ion, measurement of serum total magnesium is an inaccurate index of intracellular or total magnesium stores..."

Tinnitus

Recommendation Magnesium
"...Each recruit received daily either 167mg of magnesium aspartate or a placebo..."

Tremors

Relationship to Magnesium Requirement
"Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include fatigue, anorexia, irritability, insomnia, and muscle tremors or twitching..."

Tryptophan / 5HTP

As A Treatment
"...Tryptophan is often given with vitamin B6 and magnesium in between meals with a small amount of carbohydrate to facilitate uptake by the brain..."

Tryptophan Need

The Condition
"...Combined with a shortage of magnesium, this deficiency may be a contributing factor to heart artery spasms..."

Vaginal Depletion Pack

As A Treatment
"...Source The Vaginal Depletion Pack or suppository usually consists of ... Magnesium sulfate..."

Vinegar

As A Treatment
"...Cider vinegar contains many other nutrients, such as beta-carotene, magnesium, calcium, riboflavin and thiamin; vitamins B6, C and E; and fruit acids and pectin..."

Vitamin E Requirement

Our Question about removal of a portion of small bowel
"Ileal resection can lead to malabsorption of both divalent cations (such as calcium and magnesium) and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and vitamin K..."

Zeolites

As A Treatment
"...This is manifested by trapping of mercury, uranium, arsenic, and cadmium before lighter minerals are captured (magnesium, calcium, lead)..."





Last updated: May 10, 2007


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