Magnesium Health Watch

Managing bone health is not just about taking calcium supplements.  Research at the University of Toronto has indicated that calcium, when combined with nutritional supplements of leafy greens, is more effective at treating osteoporosis.  Calcium alone is not sufficient in healthy bones.  Multiple nutritional components such as magnesium, vitamins D, C, and B, zinc, copper and other minerals are essential.

“Although calcium is positively associated with increased bone mineral density, there is also evidence to show that calcium alone is not sufficient,” says Rao. “Several antioxidants, a number of which are obtained primarily through foods such as fruits and vegetables and nutritional supplements, have been shown in both in vitro and clinical studies that they can counteract oxidative stress and prevent the risk of osteoporosis. In other words, it requires other nutritional components in increasing bone formation.”

Eat your greens, for your bones’ sake.

Dr. Michael Rozien, chairman of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic has shown that multivitamins (despite some controversy) are key to baby boomers getting adequate nutrition.  This is partly due to the gap between the needed vitamins and minerals for the body, and what people actually consume through food.  He tells us what to look for in vitamin supplements:

“You want to look for a multivitamin that has less than 3,500 international units of vitamin A,” he said.

Buy a pill splitter, and take part in the morning, part at night, to improve absorption, he said.

Most Boomers need extra vitamin D, in the form of D3, as well, he said. Those under age 50 need around 1,000 IUs, while those over age 50 should get 1,200 IUs.

Two hours after taking their multivitamin and extra D, he recommends taking 600 mg of calcium two times a day, plus 200 mg of magnesium two times a day.

Last, he wants most of his adult patients to take fish oil, for the omega 3 fatty acids which benefit heart, brain and vascular health. Look for ones that offer 600 mg of DHA, he said. In his books, Roizen cautions patients to stay within his guidelines, and not fall for the “if a little is good, a lot must be better” mentality.”

The lowdown on multivitamins (yes, we need them).

Some great references on Headache and Migraine News about how certain types of magnesium supplements have helped many people who suffer from migraines and other headaches.  If you’re suffering from migraines, a magnesium supplement might be worth a try.

Great news from this migraine sufferer:

“I still get migraines, but they are functional migraines (worse around menses) – no nausea, no need to stay in a dark room, I can go to work, etc.  But the hemiplegic and seizure type zone-out episodes are GONE completely.  And I feel like I have my mind back – the fog that I had experienced while on Topamax and Zonisamide, etc has lifted.  I CAN THINK AGAIN!!!  I am going to try adding the CoQ10 and upping my Mag dose (I’m only doing 400mg) and see if that helps the menstrual headaches anymore.

I always thought vitamin “pushers” were just plain weird (sorry), but here I am telling you it’s working for me!!  Good luck.”

Magnesium: Top of the List for Migraine.

From Kalyx Natural Marketplace: Calcium is known best of all as a promoter of healthy and strong bones. But it plays a critical role in performance as well. Too little calcium and you can’t relax your muscles. Bad relaxation makes for less potential energy and so on and ultimately for less than satisfactory contraction. Magnesium is a mineral needed by every cell of your body. About half of your body’s magnesium stores are found inside cells of body tissues and organs, and half are combined with calcium and phosphorus in bone. Regular exercise and a healthy diet with enough calcium helps teen and young adult women maintain good bone health.

Calcium Magnesium Complex, 360 tabs: W

This informative article by magnesium expert Carolyn Dean profiles three patients in different circumstances, all dealing with magnesium deficiency.   One patient had heart palpitations and the potential of adult onset diabetes.  Another was suffering from migraines.  For each patient, they discuss symptoms and how they dealt with the magnesium deficiency, through either magnesium-rich foods, magnesium supplements or both.

Here’s an excerpt:

“I gave Mary a list of magnesium-rich foods that she needed to start eating, which included nuts, beans, greens, and seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin. Mary realized that she’d been avoiding almost all of these foods: She thought nuts were fattening, beans gave her gas, and greens never seemed fresh enough at the supermarket. She had never even thought about eating seeds.”

The article is actually an excerpt from Dean’s book, “The Miracle of Magnesium.”

THE MIRACLE OF MAGNESIUM | Toronto Canada alternative health natural medicine green living.