IMVA - Magnesium Deficiency

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"Zeus" < info IMVA - Magnesium Deficiency Mark Sircus Ac., OMD Magnesium Deficiency International Medical Veritas Association When trace minerals are scarce in plant bodies they become scarce in human bodies. We humans are not getting the minerals and especiallymagnesium we need because modem agricultural methods, includingwidespread use of N P K fertilizer, over farming, loss of protectiveground cover and trees, and lack of humus have made soils vulnerableto erosion. The result is a reduced nutrient content of crops. N P Kfertilizer is highly acidic. It disrupts the pH (acid/alkaline)balance of the soil, as does acid rain. Acid conditions destroy soilmicroorganisms. It is the job of these microorganisms to transmutesoil minerals into a form that is usable by plants. In the absence ofthese microbes, these minerals become locked up, unavailable to theplant. Stimulated by the N P K fertilizer, the plant grows, but it isdeficient in vital trace minerals. In the absence of trace minerals,plants take up heavy metals (such as aluminum, mercury and lead) fromthe soil. Between 1950 and 1975, the calcium content in one cup ofrice dropped 21 percent, and iron fell by 28.6 percent. Dr. Scott Whitaker, in his book MediSin, tells us howhighly unfortunate it is that the modern day farmer has been persuadedto use monoculture, artificial fertilization, pesticides, andherbicides. "The end result of our domestic food needs has been"quantity" rather than "quality." The human body can thrive on fruitsand vegetables that are grown on vital rich soil but not on soil thatis artificially pumped up with chemicals." We need an average of 200 mg. more magnesium than we get from the average diet. Dr. Mildred Seelig President of the American College of Nutrition Dr. Nan Kathryn Fuchs, author of The Nutrition Detective,says that, "Our diets today are very different from those of ourancestors though our bodies remain similar. Thousands of years ago,our ancestors ate foods high in magnesium and low in calcium. Becausecalcium supplies were scarce and the need for this vital mineral wasgreat, it was effectively stored by the body. Magnesium, on the otherhand, was abundant and readily available, in the form of nuts, seeds,grains, and vegetables, and did not need to be stored internally. Ourbodies still retain calcium and not magnesium although we tend to eatmuch more dairy than our ancestors. In addition, our sugar and alcoholconsumption is higher than theirs, and both sugar and alcohol increasemagnesium excretion through the urine. Our grains, originally high inmagnesium, have been refined, which means that the nutrient is lost inthe refining process. The quality of our soil has deteriorated aswell, due to the use of fertilizers that contain large amounts ofpotassium a magnesium antagonist. This results in foods lower inmagnesium than ever before." The food supply has been steadily becomingmagnesium-poor since 1909:[ii] 1909 intake 408 mg/day 1949 intake 368 mg/day 1980 intake 349 mg/day 1985 intake 323 mg/day (men) 1985 intake 228 mg/day (women) The magnesium content of refined foods is usually low.Whole-wheat bread, for example, has twice as much magnesium as whitebread because the magnesium-rich germ and bran are removed when whiteflour is processed. Magnesium deficiency is more likely in those whoeat a processed-food diet; in people who cook or boil all foods,especially vegetables; in those who drink soft water; in alcoholics;and in people who eat food grown in magnesium-deficient soil, wheresynthetic fertilizers containing no magnesium are often used.Deficiency is also more common when magnesium absorption is decreased,such as after burns, serious injuries, or surgery and in patients withdiabetes, liver disease, or malabsorption problems. Also deficienciesdevelop when magnesium elimination is increased, which it is in peoplewho use alcohol, caffeine, or excess sugar, or who take diuretics orbirth control pills. We can probably add to this list vaccines becausethey offer a traumatic insult to the body that have to be defendedagainst. Drugs that cause loss of body magnesium: · Alcohol · Cocaine · Beta-adrenergic agonists (for asthma) · Corticosteroids (CS) (for asthma) · Theophylline (for asthma) · Diuretics · Thiazide · Caffeine. · Phosphates (found in cola drinks) · Nicotine · Insulin The nutrient content of foods can no longer be relied upon. The effects of stress, intense physical activity, or the use of certain medications cause magnesium deficiency. Magnesium metabolism has one quirk in that, if the levelis low enough to cause symptoms, it is low enough that the body losesits ability to absorb it efficiently orally. Since magnesium (Mg), anessential nutrient, is abundant in the environment it is generallyassumed that Mg deficiency is not a problem but nothing could befurther from the truth. Because Magnesium in certain forms is noteasily absorbed and because no classical symptoms exist that point tomagnesium's causal role in disease, the problem of its deficiency isreadily masked. Many are the conditions which reduce total bodymagnesium and increase magnesium requirements.[iii] The currentRecommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for the US is 6 mg/Kg/day, whichtranslates to 420 mg for a 70 Kg man. The estimated intake in the USis 300 mg/day. With nutritional values declining quickly and chemicaltoxicity in our bodies rising rapidly we and our children are caughtbetween a rock and a hard place. Almost two years ago I wrote a Taleof Two Hammers about the situation in Africa where populations werebeing decimated because mass vaccine programs where being administeredto malnourished populations whose immune systems were alreadycompromised. Little did I dream then of a similar situation in the west. Magnesium and Calcium Magnesium taken in proper dosages can solve the problem of calcium deficiency. Dr.Nan Kathryn Fuchs Magnesium and calcium have competing effects on many ofthe body's chemical pathways. For example calcium causes muscles tocontract, while magnesium helps them relax. Magnesium and calcium arepaired minerals and it is vital we take into account the balancebetween them. Several studies have reported that increasing calcium inthe diet significantly reduces the absorption of magnesium. Calciumintakes above 2.6 grams per day may reduce the uptake and utilizationof magnesium by the body and excessive calcium intakes may increasemagnesium requirements. So much stress is placed on the importance ofcalcium that we may, in fact, be taking in too much and harmingmagnesium absorption. Dietary surveys clearly show that magnesium, not calcium,intakes have been falling. Magnesium is needed for calcium absorption.Without enough magnesium, calcium can collect in the soft tissues andcause one form of arthritis. Not only does calcium collect in the softtissues of arthritics, it is poorly, if at all, absorbed into theirblood and bones. Some researchers predict that the American ratio ofcalcium to magnesium is actually approaching 6-to-1, yet, therecommended dietary ratio of calcium to magnesium in the United Statesis 2-to-1. Current research on the Paleolithic or caveman diet showsthat the ratio of calcium to magnesium in the diet that our bodiesevolved to eat is 1-to-1.4 [iv] Balancing this information is the factthat mothers breast milk is ten parts calcium to only one partmagnesium so it seems that at least early in life we need lessmagnesium and more calcium to build strong bones. Though high doses ofcalcium carbonate taken alone over a long period of time will lead tolow magnesium levels;[v] yet magnesium is what is needed to encouragethe correct utilization of calcium by the body to increase bonestrength.[vi] Currently, the American diet ratio of calcium tomagnesium is officially recognized at being (4:1) when the ideal ratioshould be two to one.[vii] Without magnesium, calcium is not fullyutilized, and under absorption problems may occur leading toarthritis, osteoporosis, menstrual cramps, and some premenstrual symptoms. A diet high in dairy and low in whole grains can lead to excess calcium in the tissues and a magnesium deficiency.[viii] Dr. Nan Kathryn Fuchs Mark Sircus Ac., OMD Director International Medical Veritas Association http://www.detoxchelationclinic.com http://www.imva.info http://www.worldpsychology.net +55-83-3252-2195 www.skype.com ID: marksircus Dr. Alan Gaby has put forward compelling evidence linkingthe incidence of degenerative disease conditions with a lack ofmicronutrients in our diet. He points out that as we get less of thevital nutrients in our diet, we actually need more because the bodyuses its store of micronutrients to help neutralize poisons as theyenter the body. Almost every human being on earth now is caught in aCatch-22. We are all absorbing environmental pollutants, medicines,vaccines, dental products, and poisons in our food and water, whichnot only inhibit the normal biochemical functions of vitalmicronutrients, they also destroy or deplete these vital substances. [ii] Paul Mason. Violence Prevention through Magnesium-RichWater. Healthy Water Association. http://www.mgwater.com/cyalettr.shtml [iii] The following substances and conditions may reduce totalbody magnesium and increase magnesium requirements: alcohol (all formscause significant losses), mphetamines/cocaine, bums (with largesurface area), calcium (excessive intake may decrease body magnesiumbalance), carbohydrates (especially white sugar, high fructose cornsyrup, white flour), chronic pain (any cause), coffee (significantlosses), cyclosporin (extra magnesium can protect from side-effects),diabetes (magnesium spills with sugar in the urine), diarrhea (anycause), dieting (stress plus lowered intake), diuretics (evenpotassium sparing diuretics do not spare magnesium), insulin (whetherfrom using insulin or from hyperinsulinemia), over-training (extremeathletic physical conditioning/training), phentermine/fenfluramine,sodas (especially cola type sodas, both diet and regular), sodium(high salt intake), stress (physical and mental—anything thatactivates a person's fight or flight reaction), surgery and sweat. [iv] Eades M, Eades A, The Protein Power Lifeplan, WarnerBooks, New York, 1999 [v] Camara-Martos, F. and M.A. Amaro-Lopez, Influence ofDietary Factors on Calcium Bioavailability. Biological Trace ElementResearch, 2002. 89: p. 43-52 [vi] Jones, G., M. Riley, and T. Dwyer, Maternal Diet duringpregnancy is associated with bone mineral density in children: alongitudinal study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2000. 54:p. 749-756 [vii] Celotti, F. and A. Bignamini, Dietary Calcium andMineral/Vitamin Supplementation: a controversial problem. The Journalof International Research, 1999(27): p. 1-14 [viii] The source of menstrual cramps may come from eating toomuch cheese, yogurt, ice cream or milk, combined with insufficientwhole grains and beans. Or it could come from taking too much calciumwithout enough magnesium. Modifying diet and increasing magnesiumsupplementation may allow menstrual cramps to disappear. forwarded by Zeus Information Service Alternative Views on Health www.zeusinfoservice.com All information, data and material contained, presented orprovided herein is for general information purposes only and is not tobe construed as reflecting the knowledge or opinion of ZeusInformation Service. Feel free to forward far and wide.... Subscribe Free/Un: info All Donations gratefully received! http://www.zeusinfoservice.com/Donations.html