Majority of Americans Not Getting Enough Magnesium

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alternative_medicine_forum From: Frank Thu, 22 Jul 2004 04:13:50 -0700 (PDT) Majority of Americans Not Getting Enough Magnesiumhttp://www.healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=9535Majority of Americans Not Getting EnoughMagnesium-Most Not Aware of RDA for Essential MineralProvided by PR Newswire on 7/21/2004STAMFORD, Conn., Jul 21, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/-- Magnesium is an essential mineral of a healthydiet. It may help to maintain the function of theheart, muscles and nervous system.* However, accordingto a recent Gallup poll, four out of five Americans(80%) are not consuming enough magnesium from dietalone. That number may be even higher among those whohave certain

medical conditions or are takingmedications known to deplete magnesium in the body.Even when including vitamin and mineral supplementstogether with diet, only about one in three (35%)consume the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) orbetter of magnesium (between 310 - 420 mg/day). Thevast majority of respondents (86%) were not aware ofthe daily requirement of magnesium at all.Magnesium is essential for the functioning of morethan 300 enzymes. Proper magnesium levels helpmaintain normal heart rhythms.* It is also necessaryfor normal protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism,proper muscle function and helps to absorb calcium andpotassium.*"It's clear that most people aren't aware of theimportant role that magnesium plays in the body. Ifpeople are concerned about their magnesium levels,they should make sure to discuss medications andhealth conditions with their doctor when evaluatingtheir diet and

magnesium supplement options," saidBarbara Levine, R.D., PhD., Associate Professor ofNutrition in Medicine, Weill Medical College ofCornell University-New York Presbyterian Hospital.The majority of people (53%) surveyed couldn't name agood source of magnesium, which include 100% brancereals, avocados, almonds, milk, pumpkin seeds,cashews, cooked spinach, sesame seeds, oatmeal,potatoes (baked, with skin) and soy beans.(1)The body's stores of magnesium can be depleted bycertain illnesses or chronic conditions such asextensive bowel resection, intestinal or biliaryfistulas, pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease,ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease. Certainmedications, such as loop/thiazide diuretics (waterpills) and digoxin, can also affect magnesium levels.Additionally, poorly controlled diabetes may be a riskfactor for depletion of magnesium stores. High alcoholintake and chronic or excessive

vomiting or diarrheacan also deplete magnesium.(2)Ensuring enough magnesium through diet or supplementsis important -- and so is making sure that the mineralis absorbed into the body as intended. Supplementscontaining magnesium chloride, such as Slow-Mag®,allow the body to absorb more magnesium compared toproducts that contain magnesium oxide. Notsurprisingly, 86% of the survey respondents didn'tknow difference between magnesium chloride and oxide.The Gallup Organization conducted a telephone surveyof a nationally representative sample of 1,009American adults 18 years of age or older. Interviewswere conducted between January 6-31, 2004. For theresults based on sample size, the margin of error at95 percent confidence interval is +/- 3 percentagepoints.This survey was commissioned by Purdue Products L.P.,makers of Slow- Mag® Tablets. Slow-Mag® Tabletsprovide 128mg of elemental magnesium plus

212mg ofcalcium -- two vital minerals -- in every dose.Slow-Mag Tablets are enteric-coated to help preventstomach upset, and formulated with magnesium chloridefor increased absorption versus magnesium oxide. Formore information, visit http://www.slow-mag.com.* These statements have not been evaluated by the Foodand DrugAdministration. This product is not intended todiagnose, treat, cureor prevent any disease.(1) The magnesium content of various foods and vitaminsupplements wasgathered from the Nutritional Data Library of theUSDA,http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/index.html.(2) Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutesof Health.Magnesium. Facts About Dietary Supplements,http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/magn.html.Key Findings:Gallup Poll Survey on Magnesium Intake and SupplementUsageAmericans increasingly understand the necessity ofsupplementing their diet with both a multi-vitamin andextra amounts of certain vitamins and minerals.However, magnesium is not a mineral that Americanstypically think of as important to their health. Theawareness level of health conditions with associatedvitamin deficiency is also low.General Awareness-- 56% of respondents listed Vitamin C among "mostimportant" amongvitamins and minerals-- 86% of men and women did not know the dailyrequirement of magnesium-- Percentage of respondents who were aware of healthconditionsassociated with vitamin and mineral deficiency:Heart disease, including high blood pressure: 47%Diabetes:

32%Osteoporosis: 71%Migraine headaches: 29%Muscle cramps: 62%Intake of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements-- 51% of men and 66% of women take vitamin andmineral supplements daily-- 73% of respondents did not know how much magnesiumthey take daily-- It is very likely or somewhat likely that more thanhalf of respondents(55%) may not be consuming enough magnesium-- Four out of five (80%) respondents are below theRDA of magnesium fromfood intake alone; when evaluating food intake plussupplements, morethan three out of five (65%) were below the RDA.Responses, though,varied substantially between men and women:- 86% of men were below the RDA of magnesium from foodintake aloneand 76% were below the RDA with food plus dietarysupplement- 76% of women were below the RDA of magnesium fromfood intake aloneand 55% were below with the RDA

with food plus dietarysupplementIntake of Magnesium Supplements Among Patients withHealth Conditions-- Percentage of those who were getting the RDA orbetter of magnesiumfrom food and supplements with the followingconditions:- Heart disease 26% (74% were below the RDA)- Diabetes 40% (60% were below the RDA)- Osteoporosis 35% (65% were below the RDA)- Migraine headaches 42% (58% were below the RDA)-- 86% of respondents could not tell the differencebetween magnesiumchloride vs. magnesium oxide and the benefitsassociated with either-- 53% of respondents could not name a good source ofmagnesium. Foodswhich are good sources of magnesium include: 100% brancereals,avocados, almonds, milk, pumpkin seeds, cashews,cooked spinach, sesameseeds, oatmeal, potatoes and soy beans. Dietarymagnesium supplementsare also available

over-the-counter.MethodologyThe Gallup Organization conducted a telephone surveyof a nationally representative sample of 1,009American adults 18 years of age or older. Interviewswere conducted between January 6 - 31, 2004. For theresults based on sample size, the margin of error at95 percent confidence interval is +/- 3 percentagepoints. This survey was commissioned by PurdueProducts L.P.SOURCE PurdueCONTACT: James Heins of Purdue, +1-203-588-8069,James.heinsURL: http://www.purduepharma.comhttp://www.prnewswire.comCopyright © 2004 PR Newswire. .Please pass this message or article on to someone else so that they may learn also.Community Newsletters.http://www.alternative-medicine-newsletter.infoCommunity Message Boards.http://www.alternative-medicine-message-boards.info"Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus PaulingGetting well is done one step at a time, day by day, building health and well being..list or archives: :........ - post:............. alternative_Medicine_Forum digest form:...... -digest individual emails:

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