Mind Your Magensium

[Guest guest]

This article written my Margy Squires is from the December - March

issue of " Fibromyalgia Aware " magazine:

" In the biochemistry of life, magnesium is involved in more than 325

enzymatic reactions that help regulate blood pressure, bone building,

heart rhythm, glucose, immunity, muscle function, nerve conduction,

protein synthesis, and the energy that moves us through the day. A

deficiency state is often found in hyptertension, diabetes, and

cardiovasculare disease, which coincidently are the top theree causes

of death in the United States. However, the list does not stop there.

Magnesium is also low in osteoporosis, celiac sprue, Crohn's, hypo-

and hyper- thyroidisim, insomnia, chronic pain conditions, post-

stress disorders, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. In

fact there are few health conditions that are not 'magneium

challenged.'

Data from two national surveys by the National Center for Health

Statistics report 70% of Americans receive less than the recommended

daily intake (RDI) of magensium. Currently the RDI for magnesium for

adults over the age of 30 is 420 mg. a day for males and 320 mg. a

day for females.

Why the national deficit? Perhaps dietary intake isn't enough if

harvested foods are grown in magnesium -depleted soils, and we drink

mineral poor water. Other lifestyle factors tha decrease magnesium

stores include prescription drugs such as antibiotics, birth control,

anti-inflammatories (particularly steroids), antacids, digoxin, and

diureticsp and an over-consumption of phosphylated sugars, saturated

fats, softe drinks, and alcohol. Finally, some medical disorders

require more magnesium than is being suppolied. It's not difficult

to see why only 30 percent of heatlhy people meet the RDI.

While magnesium is essential for good health, it is especially

important when a known deficiency exists, as in FM. Supplemental

magnesium can help you each and maintain optimal magnesium levels to

lessen symptoms related to sleep, energy, and pain.

Two FM experts who shared their experiences with me were: 1.

Romano, MD, PhD, a rheumatologist who was on the committee for the

American College of Rheumatology's 1990 Classification of

Fibromyalgia and 2. Mark Pellegrino, MD, is a doctor who's seen more

than 15,000 fibromyalgia patients and has FM himself.

'Many patients with FM/CFS appear healthy. so it was a bit of a

surprise to find that such patients do, in fact, have lower magnesium

levels than control subjects,' Romano says. 'Since many patients with

FM have low levels of magnesium, it would certainly seem preudent for

such patients to take magnesium supplementation, he adds. Romano

suggests thae direct measurement of an RBC Mg. level. But as we

know, normal results may not be 'normal' for fibromyalgia. If the

levels is below average (even though it may be in the normal range),

it would be reasonable to try oral magnesium supplements. If the

level is very low ( i.e. below the lower level of the normal range),

then it is even more improtant for the patient to get magnesium

supplementation, but the physicians may elect to use intramuscular

injections of magnsium or intravenous solutions containing magensium,

in addition to oral magensium supplements.

Dr. Pellegrino agrees that magnesium is often low in those with

fibromyalgia. 'Research shows many people with FM report improvement

in symptoms after taking magnesium supplements,' he says. 'Although

it may take several weeks or months for the supplement to work, one

watches for decreased pain, especially after exertion, improved

energy, better sleep, and more baseline stability.'

But not all magesium supplements are alike. Magnesium comes in many

forms that are not equal in delivery. Minerals in general are hard

to absorb into the cll unless they are chelated (bound) to an amino

acid. According to Albion Advanced Nutritions availability testing,

magnesium glycinate stays in the body longer, making it more

available for utilization than other forms. The RBC Mg. is the

otpimal test and readily avaliable from national laboratories, such

as Sonora, Quest, and Lab/Cor. "

I think I may ask Dr. Pellegrino about this magensium test when I see

him again. I have always taken the magensium malate with malic acid

form, but now am thinking of looking for the magnesium glycinate and

see if it might be more potent. I know taking the magnesium helps to

keep my pain levels down, because when I run out, my pain levels go

up till I go back on them.

sue in ohio