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On the podcast, I mention Dr. Russell Blaylock’s podcast about magnesium – check it out here: http://www.blaylockhealthchannel.com/

What would the result of magnesium deficiency be?

Magnesium inside cells works with calcium outside the cells to ensure the steady, smooth conduction of nerve impulses. If an imbalance occurs, symptoms may show. Because this impacts on muscle activity, magnesium deficiency is most often detected when people have twitching or flickering muscles or cramp. Extreme deficiency leads to tetany, a permanent severe cramping of legs and arms.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, low magnesium levels in pregnant women raises the risk of birth defects by 70%.

Magnesium is an intra-cellular ion. 70% of the body’s magnesium is found in bones and teeth. It exists mainly in body tissues, and less so in blood. So a consequence of that is that whereas a blood test might show normal magnesium levels, elsewhere in the body magnesium levels might be significantly different. That’s why magnesium deficiency is hard to detect, and therefore treat. If you are worried about your levels of magnesium, scroll down to the bottom of the page and see how many of the foods listed as being high in magnesium you eat regularly.

As we said, magnesium, along with calcium, is used in the transmission of the nerve impulse, so a deficiency of magnesium is signalled by mental impairment, such as irritability, aggression and nervousness, as well as depression, dizziness, brain fog, forgetfulness and premenstrual syndrome. In neurological illness such as alzheimer, parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease there is a significantly low quantity of magnesium in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, which causes inflammation. In recent Japanese and Australian studies, trial subjects who were supplemented with magnesium over 12 years had significantly less dementia and memory loss than other subjects in the trial groups.

Magnesium is also needed to maintain correct ph values in the body and normal body temperature.

It is estimated that half the population of the US is significantly deficient in magnesium.

What leads to magnesium deficiency?

Some nutrients, such as vitamin D and phosphorous increase the body’s requirements of magnesium in order to maintain a balance with calcium. Foods high in phosphorous ironically also contain significant amounts of magnesium: nuts, seeds and seafood, for example. High levels of phosphates are found in infant formula, and lead to magnesium deficiency in early infancy, a key stage in the development of the brain. Phytates, found in cereals, especially in whole grains, possibly inhibit the absorption of magnesium. Big meat eaters also need more magnesium.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) intake alongside magnesium deficiency has been shown to result in metabolic syndrome such as heart disease, obesity and type two diabetes. Some of the brands that use HFCS include Heinz, Kellogg’s, Starbucks, Ben and Jerry’s, Capri-Sun, Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

What this all shows us is that people who regularly or mainly eat junk food and ready-made food, processed food and sodas, and generally food which is low in magnesium (see below) are at serious risk of a whole raft of health issues.

In what conditions can magnesium be of real value?

As an anti-inflammatory, and because it is an intra-cellular ion, it is particularly effective in reducing inflammation. Inflammatory illnesses range from meningitis, allergies and influenza to cancer. Because it is a strong anti-inflammatory