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Posted 3/16/07CLICK TO PRINT

NAME: Magnesium
DESCRIPTION: Magnesium is an essential mineral in human nutrition with a wide range of biological functions, and is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions.

It activates enzymes, contributes to energy production, and helps regulate calcium levels as well as copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in the body.

Magnesium is used by physicians to manage and treat irregular heartbeat (arrythmia), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
FUNCTION: Magnesium is necessary for virtually every major biologic process, including the production of cellular energy, glucose metabolism, the synthesis of nucleic acids and protein, the building of bones, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and the proper function of the heart.

Magnesium deficiency has clearly been shown to induce vascular damage in the heart and kidneys and to promote atherosclerosis.

The first indicator of magnesium deficiency you may experience may well be particular symptoms: Abnormal bowel function (such as constipation that requires straining) may indicate a magnesium deficiency since magnesium is required for proper intestinal motility. Muscle cramps or tightness can also be caused by a magnesium deficiency. With extreme deficiencies, the cramping can be severe. In addition, serious magnesium deficiencies can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, muscle tremors, headaches, loss of coordination, and nerve conduction problems that can cause neuropathy symptoms. Even a marginal magnesium deficiency can cause cardiac dysrhythmias (disruptions in the normal heart rhythm).

Recurrent headaches, which can be quite severe, may sometimes indicate a magnesium deficiency. Even in some people who have suffered from severe headaches for many years, supplementing with magnesium has been shown to eliminate the problem. Supplementation with magnesium is not something that should be substituted for immediate medical attention to severe or recurrent headaches. However, if no other cause is found, keep the possibility of a deficiency in mind.

Magnesium deficiency can also be a cause of premenstrual problems in women, including cramps and mood disorders.

Excesses of coffee, soda, salt, alcohol intake, and stress can all contribute to lowered magnesium levels.

Unfortunately, the standard test of blood levels of magnesium does not reflect actual body stores (most magnesium being found in the tissues, not the blood) and is relatively worthless. A better test analyzes magnesium levels in lymphocytes.
SOURCES: The richest dietary sources of magnesium are: prunes and prune juice, plums, cherries, grapes, dried apricots, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, soybeans, dark green vegetables, soy products (such as tofu and soy flour), whole grains (such as whole wheat, millet, and brown rice), parsley, Romaine lettuce, and avocados. "Hard" water is also rich in magnesium.

Also, green vegetables such as spinach are good sources of magnesium, as the center of the chlorophyll molecule (which gives green vegetables their color) contains magnesium.
DOSAGE: U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 450 mg.

A suggested therapeutic dosage would range from 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily.
DATA: Magnesium and PWHIV: Researchers have reported magnesium deficiency exists in approximately 30 to 65% of people with HIV, not surprising since the tissue damage and cell death that occur with any body-wide infection causes the release of magnesium, which is then lost from the body.

Magnesium is one of the nutrients used up by AZT in its degradation pathway, so long-term AZT use may increase the likelihood of deficiency and increase the need for additional magnesium. A number of other drugs can also cause deficiency, including certain antibiotics and most diuretics.

Also, malabsorption, common in people with HIV, greatly reduces magnesium uptake. Thus, chronic HIV infection and any additional infections, as well as HIV drugs, can greatly increase the likelihood of a magnesium deficiency.

This combination of factors makes it very likely that many of those with HIV will become more and more magnesium deficient over time. Replacement is obviously crucial.
CAUTIONS: Magnesium is generally thought to be non-toxic; the only usual cautions are that it should be avoided by anyone with decreased kidney function or with high-grade atrioventricular or bifascicular blocks; the latter are conditions found in some cardiac patients; such people should only take magnesium if they have artificial pacemakers and then only under their physician's supervision.

The most common adverse reaction from the use of magnesium supplements is diarrhea.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:		 National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements' Magnesium page.
RELATED
PRODUCTS:		 Magnesium Malate (Source Naturals). Each bottle, 180 tablets. Each tablet, 1,000 mg of magnesium malate, yielding 152 mg magnesium and 825 mg of malic acid.
PRODUCT NOTES: Magnesium and malic acid are commonly used for CFIDS and fibromyalgia, but data are limited.

Malic acid has the added benefit of chelating (grabbing) aluminum, and is a key intermediate in energy production in muscles.
DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.