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The Magnesium Miracle
By Dr. Carolyn Dean M.D., N.D.

If you were to list today’s leading chronic diseases, heart disease (angina, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol) along with diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, generalized inflammation, and toxicity are found at top. Magnesium is a mineral and nutrient that when eaten or supplemented in the proper amounts and form, has had a miraculous healing effect on these and other serious health conditions.

As a necessary co-factor in over 325 enzymes that perform vital metabolic functions, magnesium’s phenomenal effects may be based on how it facilitates the body’s use of oxygen. Magnesium is to plant chlorophyll as iron is to human hemoglobin. In our body, magnesium-rich chlorophyll supplies the means to drive our mitochondrial pump, creating life-giving energy. This means magnesium provides oxygen to our muscles, making it a most important nutrient for athletes and non-athletes alike. Overworked muscles produce free radicals, and magnesium aids in the production of glutathione—the body’s super antioxidant. Glutathione then enhances performance, prevents lactic acid build-up, and shortens recovery time. If muscles are deficient in magnesium, they become irritated and on edge developing tics, twitches, and outright spasms or “charley horses” as they are known when they occur in our calves. If you are feeling generally irritated and on edge, magnesium deficiency may be the cause.

Magnesium also controls electrical cell-to-cell communication which allows the correct amount of calcium to enter a cell. Unfortunately, magnesium’s role as communicator becomes difficult and complicated by those that take supplemental calcium without realizing the need to supplement with equal amounts of magnesium. This tends to makes the amount of calcium outside the cell tens of thousands of times the safe level allowed inside the cell.

Magnesium is also necessary to the enzyme, hexokinase, which drives sugar metabolism. It’s well-established by diabetic researchers that magnesium deficiency is a sign of diabetes. Many report that upon taking magnesium, their blood sugar levels stabilize. Delta-6 desaturase is crucial for the metabolism of fats and HMG-CoA reductase is essential in the normal production of cholesterol. As you may have guessed, magnesium is necessary for the proper function of both these enzymes as well. Statin drugs work to destroy the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme and, in the process, damage mitochondria and Coenzyme Q-10. Magnesium, however, helps regulate this enzyme, switching it on when more cholesterol is needed and off when it’s not. Even more amazing is that magnesium is a required catalyst for Coenzyme Q-10 synthesis, making this one of the reasons why many people feel more energetic after magnesium supplementation.

In The Magnesium Miracle, I write about 22 conditions scientifically proven to be associated with magnesium deficiency. I also compiled a list of 100 factors that indicate a magnesium deficiency may be present. Mainstream medicine, however, remains unaware that magnesium deficiency has been reported as present in 80% of the U.S population. Over past decades, in France, magnesium was used effectively in treating infection, polio, epilepsy, alcoholism, prostate inflammation, cancer, and arthritis. Unfortunately, much of this research has been lost or ignored. Present-day use of magnesium in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, detoxification, and anti-aging protocols is also largely ignored.

This may be because most blood work testing for magnesium appear as normal since only 1% of the magnesium in the body is actually found in the blood, maintained at normal levels there at the expense of magnesium stores in the muscles and tissues. Therefore, if you only look at the blood test rather than the whole clinical picture, dozens of conditions and symptoms related to a simple magnesium deficiency are missed. It remains that an educated public is the best defense against magnesium deficiency.

Forms of Magnesium
Magnesium oxide, the least expensive form, is only 4% absorbed. The rest goes through the intestines, making it a great laxative. Magnesium citrate is the most commonly used form. Magnesium glycinate, magnesium taurate, magnesium malate, and dimagnesium malate are used because they have less laxative effect. Magnesium oil is comprised of about 35% magnesium chloride balanced with sea water and naturally occurring trace minerals. Though there is no actual oil in it, the combination creates a glycerin feel and is in a form that can be sprayed on the body. It is used by those who want no laxative effect whatsoever. The laxative effect of magnesium, however, is your guide to how much to take. Anything above the amount needed by the body will be eliminated through the bowels, kidneys, or through sweat.

What doesn’t this miraculous mineral do?

About the author
Dr. Carolyn Dean, a medical doctor and naturopathic doctor, specializes in managing and healing often misdiagnosed and chronic conditions, such as digestive problems, hormone imbalance, recurring infection, IBS, widespread inflammation, allergies, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. In the health industry for 28 years, she has authored and co-authored 12 books on health, including her recently published, The Magnesium Miracle. Dr. Dean has an active telephone wellness consulting practice; visit her at www.carolyndean.com.