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Kim,

This is all SO interesting. What magnesium supplement do you use? Are

there certain things to look for in a magnesium supplement when purchasing

one for a child with CF? Ben cultures MRSA (has for quite some time), so I

am also very interested in learning more about the Manuka oil.

Marcia

Re: MRSA questions

Hi Mindy,

Tea tree oil is effective against gram negative organisms such as

pseudomonas while Manuka oil works against gram positive organisms

such as staph. Both oils are good against fungus, bacteria, parasites,

and yeast such as candida.

Here's our experience with tea tree oil. On Dec. 30, 2001 my son had

a sputum culture taken. We got the results January 18, 2002 and it

showed light to moderate growth of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and

aspergillus fumigatus.

I freaked out of course, because he'd never cultured these before, and

I thought it was odd that both showed up at the same time. His doctor

wasn't concerned, nor did he want to treat either organism. He said

the counts weren't that high, even though they were low to moderate

growth.

Neither my son nor I were content with that approach. My son was

really concerned and wanted those bugs out of his lungs (me too!), so

we agreed to do our own research. Actually, due to his college

schedule, HE agreed that I would research while he would act as guinea

pig. :)

A couple weeks later, armed with new information, my son started

inhaling tea tree oil (*not* in a nebulizer!) and taking magnesium

supplements. We also added some other things that are generally

missing in the CF picture, and made some dietary modifications.

His health quickly and steadily got better, even his roommates

noticed. A couple months later, he sustained an ankle injury playing

basketball, so while getting the ankle x-rayed, we asked the ER docs

to do a sputum culture because I was curious what would show up. You

should have seen the looks on the doctor's faces. I think they

couldn't believe he had CF, and his inflammation was so low at the

time that he could barely cough, let alone produce sputum.

Ten days later the culture came back negative for S. maltophilia and

negative for aspergillus -- AND his mucoid PA came back sensitive to

all antibiotics for the first time ever. At his last sputum culture

(Dec. 2002) he even failed to grow mucoid PA.

So, Amen to tea tree oil... and especially magnesium!

A New Zealand company called Coast Biologicals produces a pure organic

manuka oil. But they have also developed a specific concentration of

manuka called Fraction 1. They also have an oil called Lema oil, which

is a combo of tea tree and this Fraction 1 Manuka oil. This makes the

oil broad spectrum against gram pos and gram neg organisms.

Over a year ago I read a study showing manuka oil's effectiveness

against MRSA, and I shared the info with another CF group I belong to.

One of the mom's wrote to Coast Bio and they generously sent her 10

free sample bottles of the Fraction Manuka oil and she shared it with

the group. None of us (knock wood) cultures MRSA, but we keep it in

our CF arsenal, just in case.

The oils from Coast Bio are inexpensive weapons, especially compared

to prescription meds. Lema oil is only $10.30 USD and that includes

shipping from New Zealand to the US. Here's web address if you're

interested in learning more: http://www.coastbio.co.nz/manuka.htm

Now, funny thing about MRSA. I know a young woman who cultures it. She

feels she got it from a hospital she used to go to before moving to

the Chicago area (which is where we are). Anyway, every time this

young woman has to go into the hospital, they put her in a regular

room KNOWING that she consistenly cultures MRSA. Then, about three

days later, her sputum culture comes back showing, of course, MRSA.

And that's when they move her into isolation and start practicing

standard isolation glove and gown procedures.

This is a huge, well-known, beautiful teaching hospital in downtown

Chicago. I'm thinking if MRSA is so contagious, and knowing most

hospital workers aren't all that diligent about handwashing, why on

earth wouldn't they practice safeguards from Day 1 of this woman's

admission knowing she consistently cultures this?

And of course, this makes me less trusting should my son ever need

hospitalization. If he does, I can just see me standing at the door

with a bucket of water laced with tea tree oil ready to hose down

every nurse, doctor, respiratory therapist, and food server who comes

into the room!

Anyway, even if you erradicate your MRSA now, that doesn't guarantee

you won't pick it up again -- along with other bugs -- once you go

into the nursing profession.

This is why my son keeps tea tree and manuka on hand. He usually gets

worn down from traveling on airplanes, so he takes his oils with him.

You can open up the bottle and wave it under your nose or put a couple

drops on a cotton ball and seal the cotton ball in a Baggie, then open

it up to take a whiff throughout the day.

When my son was treating the S. maltophilia and aspergillus, he boiled

water, poured it into a glass bowl, then added a couple drops tea tree

oil and inhaled the vapors for about 5 minutes or until the vapors

cooled. He did this about three nights a week.

I know a mom who tried this with her 11-yr. old daughter after

reading about my son's success with it. She said her daughter had

cultured aspergillus for years, but after three weeks of tea tree

inhalations three times a week, her daughter finally got a culture

showing no more aspergillus.

But I think most of us on the other CF list agree that it's a combo of

using the oils and supplelmenting magnesium, because magnesium

deficiency is what makes the lungs too acidic. And most bacteria and

fungus love that acidic environment.

Kim

Mom to 24 with cf and asthma and 20 1/2 asthma no CF

> Dear Group,

>

> I'm new to this list, as a woman with CF who has not

> yet reached parenthood. I have a question to impose on

> the group. When a CF individual has MRSA is there any

> hope of eradicating it completely from his or her

> lungs? What is the prevalence of MRSA amongst the CF

> population? Can infected individuals continue to

> pursue a nursing career? Must this also be given up?

> Earnestly waiting and hoping to receive some replies.

> Thank you.

>

> Mindy

-------------------------------------------

The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

be construed as medical advice.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS.

------------------------------------

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Hi Kim,

My name is Vicki and I have 3 children with CF. After reading your last

post I was very impressed with how knowledgeable you are about alternate

therapies. My children are developing allergies to the antibiotics and I am

trying to find other ways to treat them before resorting to the antibiotics.

What other kinds of treatments do you know of that would be helpful to fight

infections before resorting to antibiotic use. Any info you could give me

would be a great help!

Thank you,

Vicki

Mom to Micaela 6 wcf, Wyatt 5 wcf, and Maggie 2 wcf.

Re: MRSA questions

> Hi Mindy,

>

> Tea tree oil is effective against gram negative organisms such as

> pseudomonas while Manuka oil works against gram positive organisms

> such as staph. Both oils are good against fungus, bacteria, parasites,

> and yeast such as candida.

>

> Here's our experience with tea tree oil. On Dec. 30, 2001 my son had

> a sputum culture taken. We got the results January 18, 2002 and it

> showed light to moderate growth of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and

> aspergillus fumigatus.

>

> I freaked out of course, because he'd never cultured these before, and

> I thought it was odd that both showed up at the same time. His doctor

> wasn't concerned, nor did he want to treat either organism. He said

> the counts weren't that high, even though they were low to moderate

> growth.

>

> Neither my son nor I were content with that approach. My son was

> really concerned and wanted those bugs out of his lungs (me too!), so

> we agreed to do our own research. Actually, due to his college

> schedule, HE agreed that I would research while he would act as guinea

> pig. :)

>

> A couple weeks later, armed with new information, my son started

> inhaling tea tree oil (*not* in a nebulizer!) and taking magnesium

> supplements. We also added some other things that are generally

> missing in the CF picture, and made some dietary modifications.

>

> His health quickly and steadily got better, even his roommates

> noticed. A couple months later, he sustained an ankle injury playing

> basketball, so while getting the ankle x-rayed, we asked the ER docs

> to do a sputum culture because I was curious what would show up. You

> should have seen the looks on the doctor's faces. I think they

> couldn't believe he had CF, and his inflammation was so low at the

> time that he could barely cough, let alone produce sputum.

>

> Ten days later the culture came back negative for S. maltophilia and

> negative for aspergillus -- AND his mucoid PA came back sensitive to

> all antibiotics for the first time ever. At his last sputum culture

> (Dec. 2002) he even failed to grow mucoid PA.

>

> So, Amen to tea tree oil... and especially magnesium!

>

> A New Zealand company called Coast Biologicals produces a pure organic

> manuka oil. But they have also developed a specific concentration of

> manuka called Fraction 1. They also have an oil called Lema oil, which

> is a combo of tea tree and this Fraction 1 Manuka oil. This makes the

> oil broad spectrum against gram pos and gram neg organisms.

>

> Over a year ago I read a study showing manuka oil's effectiveness

> against MRSA, and I shared the info with another CF group I belong to.

> One of the mom's wrote to Coast Bio and they generously sent her 10

> free sample bottles of the Fraction Manuka oil and she shared it with

> the group. None of us (knock wood) cultures MRSA, but we keep it in

> our CF arsenal, just in case.

>

> The oils from Coast Bio are inexpensive weapons, especially compared

> to prescription meds. Lema oil is only $10.30 USD and that includes

> shipping from New Zealand to the US. Here's web address if you're

> interested in learning more: http://www.coastbio.co.nz/manuka.htm

>

> Now, funny thing about MRSA. I know a young woman who cultures it. She

> feels she got it from a hospital she used to go to before moving to

> the Chicago area (which is where we are). Anyway, every time this

> young woman has to go into the hospital, they put her in a regular

> room KNOWING that she consistenly cultures MRSA. Then, about three

> days later, her sputum culture comes back showing, of course, MRSA.

> And that's when they move her into isolation and start practicing

> standard isolation glove and gown procedures.

>

> This is a huge, well-known, beautiful teaching hospital in downtown

> Chicago. I'm thinking if MRSA is so contagious, and knowing most

> hospital workers aren't all that diligent about handwashing, why on

> earth wouldn't they practice safeguards from Day 1 of this woman's

> admission knowing she consistently cultures this?

>

> And of course, this makes me less trusting should my son ever need

> hospitalization. If he does, I can just see me standing at the door

> with a bucket of water laced with tea tree oil ready to hose down

> every nurse, doctor, respiratory therapist, and food server who comes

> into the room!

>

> Anyway, even if you erradicate your MRSA now, that doesn't guarantee

> you won't pick it up again -- along with other bugs -- once you go

> into the nursing profession.

>

> This is why my son keeps tea tree and manuka on hand. He usually gets

> worn down from traveling on airplanes, so he takes his oils with him.

> You can open up the bottle and wave it under your nose or put a couple

> drops on a cotton ball and seal the cotton ball in a Baggie, then open

> it up to take a whiff throughout the day.

>

> When my son was treating the S. maltophilia and aspergillus, he boiled

> water, poured it into a glass bowl, then added a couple drops tea tree

> oil and inhaled the vapors for about 5 minutes or until the vapors

> cooled. He did this about three nights a week.

>

> I know a mom who tried this with her 11-yr. old daughter after

> reading about my son's success with it. She said her daughter had

> cultured aspergillus for years, but after three weeks of tea tree

> inhalations three times a week, her daughter finally got a culture

> showing no more aspergillus.

>

> But I think most of us on the other CF list agree that it's a combo of

> using the oils and supplelmenting magnesium, because magnesium

> deficiency is what makes the lungs too acidic. And most bacteria and

> fungus love that acidic environment.

>

> Kim

> Mom to 24 with cf and asthma and 20 1/2 asthma no CF

>

>

>

>

> > Dear Group,

> >

> > I'm new to this list, as a woman with CF who has not

> > yet reached parenthood. I have a question to impose on

> > the group. When a CF individual has MRSA is there any

> > hope of eradicating it completely from his or her

> > lungs? What is the prevalence of MRSA amongst the CF

> > population? Can infected individuals continue to

> > pursue a nursing career? Must this also be given up?

> > Earnestly waiting and hoping to receive some replies.

> > Thank you.

> >

> > Mindy

>

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------

> The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

> be construed as medical advice.

>

> PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR

TREATMENTS.

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

>

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Guest guest

Thank you, Kim. We are doing fine. Barbi's memory seems to live on just as

she lived. . .always helping to remind us of each other. . .helping us to

reach out and care for each other.

I really appreciate the information you sent me. Ben's last culture showed

an " i " , which I guess means it is intermediate to becoming resistant to the

Gentamycin we have used in the past. Since we don't want to risk the

resistance, we are trying some other treatments. He is coughing quite a bit

right now. He is on Keflex, in hopes it will give it a hit. Maybe trying

some of these supplements will help.

Re: MRSA questions

Hey, Marcia... It's so good to hear from you again! Do you know that

every time I think of Barbi, I think of you and Ben? I remember the

night before Barbi died and how you were there online, sending me info

to send to Doug. I don't think I ever told you just how much strength

I drew from you that night, how much hope I had that she'd pull

through, and I didn't feel so alone late that night because it felt

like you were right there with me.

So, I can't ever separate her memory without thinking of you, and

hoping you and your family are doing well.

Anyway, about the magnesium -- and I (and now many others) use

Solgar's magnesium amino acid chelate. That's what it says on the

front of the bottle. The back label lists it as magnesium glycinate,

and it also contains a bit of calcium.

I chose this product after a lot of careful research. Solgar is a

trusted company. And in this particular product, Solgar uses chelated

minerals produced by Albion Labs. Albion chelated (bound) magnesium to

the amino acid, glycine. Amino acids are very small, so binding a

mineral to an amino acid makes it easier to sneak it across cell

membranes.

Other companies offer chelated mineral, but some don't tell you what

they chelated the mineral to, and I've learned to be pretty picky I

guess. Also, apparently this is a tricky process and easy to

breakdown, but Albion patented their process and the mineral stays

stable.

Albion Labs is a good company. The founder (a pharmacist) has a very

impressive history -- he's actually the guy who created protein drinks

during WWII, which helped save the lives of many GI's recovering from

their wounds. So if you use Ensure or Boost, you can thank Dr. Harvey

Ashmead.

When I started on magnesium (end of January 2002), I started

taking it too. We both started with magnesium chloride, then later I

switched to magnesium citrate and to magnesium gluconate. But it

wasn't until I started using magnesium glycinate that I saw a huge

difference for me. Really huge -- within 48 hours the impact was

amazing. So you can tell why I'm sold.

saw faster results, right from the beginning when he was on

magnesium chloride. But we think it's because was so magnesium

deficient that his body just grabbed on to the magnesium like a

dehyrated camel in the a Desert! We both started using Solgar's

magnesium glycinate at the same time (August 2002) and he continues

doing so well (knock wood!). In fact, he recently bought a bike and

has ridden it downtown to work a few times. In two days he logged 22

miles!

It's often hard to find Solgar magnesium glycinate. If you have a

Whole Foods store near you, they carry it, but usually only the small

bottles, not the large bottles. An online site for ordering the large

bottles (250-ct.) is http://www.houseofnutrition.com/m1.html

is absolutely sold on tea tree essential oil. He has also used

lavender essential oil in the past. Lavender eases inflammation and is

a nice relaxant when you're stressed, so sometimes he'd put a pot of

water on the stove to boil, then turn off the water and add a couple

drops lavender oil and let it scent his kitchen while studying for

finals.

He also likes eucalyptus essential oil. That's the oil he started

using before tea tree. But a woman with CF in her 30's who has used

essential oils a lot, told me that her Chinese doctor told her that

people with CF shouldn't use eucalpytus for longer than 3 days at a

time because it can cause " heat. " I think in Chinese terminology, heat

is inflammation. So, uses eucalyptus sparingly, only when nose

is stuffy because the scent opens him up. but eucalyptus also has nice

antimicrobial properties.

Tea tree is just an all-round great thing -- fights fungus, bacteria,

viruses, parasites, yeast. once put a drop on a Q-tip and zapped

a zit with it. Overnight the zit just disappeared.

Last summer when it was really hot and humid here, I bought a bar of

tea tree soap. He loved the scent, and I just felt better him using it

during weather that seems to promote fungal growth. I know moms

who put tea tree and orange essential oil into spray bottles of water

and use it to disinfect kitchen and bathroom countertops instead of

using commercial products.

You can also find tea tree shampoos and toothpastes. Word of caution,

be sure to keep all essential oils out of the hands of little ones.

You can put a few drops of tea tree oil in bath water, but watch very

carefully so little ones do *not* drink the bath water or splash in

eyes. I've been giving my dog a weekly tea tree rinse after

shampooing to help kill this skin yeast he has. I can really see a

difference.

Look for essential oils that say " pure " -- organic oils are always

nice, especially if you're using them for inhaling. Avoid oils in

plastic bottles, only buy glass bottles, preferably dark glass as it

protects the oil from light.

I think has some oils on her web site. But I don't remember if

she carries tea tree oil. Right now, I'm on a hunt for some

leptospermum petersonii essential oil. It's called " lemon scented tea

tree oil, " though it's from the manuka family. And studies I just read

tonight show it has a higher killing effect than standard tea tree or

manuka.

If any Aussies know where to find this LSTTO, please let me know!

Kim

--- " Marcia Monico " <mks65roses@w...> wrote:

Kim,

This is all SO interesting. What magnesium supplement do you use?

Are there certain things to look for in a magnesium supplement when

purchasing one for a child with CF? Ben cultures MRSA (has for quite

some time), so I am also very interested in learning more about the

Manuka oil.

Marcia

-------------------------------------------

The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

be construed as medical advice.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS.

------------------------------------

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Hi Kim,

I have been on this list for a few weeks now and have been reading all the

e-mails about Magnesium. I would like to start my children on it and

actually myself as well.

I read that you suggested using Albion's, but I was wondering where I can

purchase that from and what is the exact name of it. Can you recommend a

dose?

Thank you so much, this information is priceless!

Vicki

mom to Micaela 6 wcf, Wyatt 5 wcf & Maggie 2 wcf

Re: MRSA questions

>

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In a message dated 7/22/2003 8:55:26 PM Central Daylight Time,

kimpayne@... writes:

> And don't take magnesium supplements if you have any type of kidney

> disorder without first discussing it with your nephrologist

Does kidney stones consider a kidney disorder? Deb A

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Guest guest

Thank you Kim for all the info.....I really appreciate it!

Vicki

Re: MRSA questions

> Hi Vicki,

>

> Personally, I decided to go with Solgar's Amino Acid Chelate

> (magnesium glycinate) because this product contains Albion's magnesium

> chelate. Not all of Solgar's products contain Albion's minerals, but

> this one does.

>

> There are some other companies out there that also use Albion's

> chelated minerals, but again, these companies may not use them in all

> of their products. You know when you're getting Albion's chelated

> minerals because it will state in on the label.

>

> Albion has a web page listing the names and web sites of companies

> that use Albion's chelated minerals: http://www.albionlabs.com/

>

> When you get to Albion's site, click on " Human Products " then click on

> " Locate Products. "

>

> But again, you have to read, read, read the ingredient labels to be

> sure the product you chose does in fact contain Albion chelates.

>

> The best price I've found for Solgar's chelated magnesium is at

> http://www.houseofnutrition.com/m1.html You can get a 250-ct. bottle

> of 100 mg. tablets for $12.30.

>

> You want the product shown on the top left or top right of the page.

> The photo doesn't show you the back label, and the front label doesn't

> say " magnesium glycinate, " but this is the one you want.

>

> If you're into doing your own searching, then I recommend going to

> some of those company web sites listed on Albion's page and start

> reading product labels. You'll see what I mean about some of the

> products not containing Albion -- or some products might use some of

> Albion chelated minerals but not all of them.

>

> For example, companies might put Albion's chelated iron, copper,

> and zinc in their multivitamin/mineral but not use Albion's

> chelated calcium or magnesium, instead choosing a cheaper form of

> calcium and magnesium. It's really maddening and it basically boils

> down to company cost issues.

>

> (Bev, one of the things I wanted to discuss with Lois whether she

> could get this Solgar product at a better price.)

>

> Additionally, here's a helpful page for people who are just starting

> out and want to learn more about magnesium:

>

> http://www.krispin.com/magnes.html

>

> Unfortunately, it's not very professional looking, which is too bad

> because that hurts credibility. However, Krispin is a certified

> nutritionist, and her information is very sound.

>

> Pay special attention to the information under the sections entitled,

> " Formula to Calculate Magnesium Daily Requirement " and " How to Take

> Magnesium and What Kind of Magnesium to Take, and " Basic Guidelines. "

>

> Remember though, when Krispin says " ideal " body weight, that's what

> she means. Not current body weight, but the body weight ideal for your

> height and age. Also, for people with health " issues " she advocates

> using the higher dosing number: 4.5 mg. per pound of " ideal " body

> weight.

>

> She says this calculation shouldn't be used for children but when I

> compared her figures to the USDA RDA's, and knowing the malabsorption

> issues and stressors and medications involved in CF, I don't think her

> numbers are out of line.

>

> ***Important reminder*** Don't take magnesium or multivitamin/minerals

> supplements containing magnesium at the same time that you take

> antibiotics. You need to space these apart so the ingredients don't

> compete with each other (the magnesium will bind to the same receptor

> site on the cell, making antibiotics up to 50% ineffective).

>

> Safe rule of thumb: you can take mineral supplements no closer than

> two hours *after* antibiotics, not before.

>

> If the only oral antibiotic you're currently taking is Zithromax, then

> you might get in the habit of taking your minerals in the a.m.,

> Zithromax in the p.m. The body does better getting it's vitamins and

> minerals early in the day, anyway.

>

> If you're on IV antibiotics, it's very important to supplement

> magnesium but again, you really have to watch the timing of doses.

>

> And don't take magnesium supplements if you have any type of kidney

> disorder without first discussing it with your nephrologist.

>

> Kim

>

> --- " Chandler " <Chandlerfamily@p...> wrote:

> Hi Kim,

>

> I have been on this list for a few weeks now and have been reading

> all the e-mails about Magnesium. I would like to start my children on

> it and actually myself as well.

>

> I read that you suggested using Albion's, but I was wondering where

> I can purchase that from and what is the exact name of it. Can you

> recommend a dose?

>

> Thank you so much, this information is priceless!

>

> Vicki

> mom to Micaela 6 wcf, Wyatt 5 wcf & Maggie 2 wcf

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------

> The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

> be construed as medical advice.

>

> PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR

TREATMENTS.

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

>

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In a message dated 7/23/2003 12:28:31 PM Central Daylight Time,

kimpayne@... writes:

>

> Hi Deb,

>

> I don't know if kidney stones mean the kidneys aren't functioning

> well, or whether there's just a build up of calcium (I think kidney

> stones are primarily calicum formation, arent' they?).

>

> As example, my brother-in-law has healthy kidneys and normal, healthy

> kidney function, but a few years ago he developed a kidney stone. It's

> gone now (but I don't remember what they did to get rid of it).

>

> The reason for caution if you have malfunctioning kidneys is because

> about 20% of blood Mg is filtered through the kidneys, and about

> 50-60% of that is reabsorbed via the Loop of Henle in the kidneys. If

> kidneys aren't functioning properly, Mg could accumulate in the

> kidneys (about 40% magnesium is excreted in urine).

>

> So that's the reason to use caution if you have kidney problems, your

> Mg levels could get too high.

>

> Kim

>

Oh know his kidneys are fine it's just that he has kidneys stones. They have

said that the reason he has had kidney stones is because he drinks a lot of

milk but the last time he had a kidney stone they said it had to do with to much

salt. So who knows why he has kidney stoned I don't think the doctor really

know either. Deb A

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  • 1 month later...

Kim,

Would you check and see if this magnesium would be a good one for Ben?

http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/42779

This is the tea tree oil I ordered:

http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/50830

Re: MRSA questions

Hey, Marcia... It's so good to hear from you again! Do you know that

every time I think of Barbi, I think of you and Ben? I remember the

night before Barbi died and how you were there online, sending me info

to send to Doug. I don't think I ever told you just how much strength

I drew from you that night, how much hope I had that she'd pull

through, and I didn't feel so alone late that night because it felt

like you were right there with me.

So, I can't ever separate her memory without thinking of you, and

hoping you and your family are doing well.

Anyway, about the magnesium -- and I (and now many others) use

Solgar's magnesium amino acid chelate. That's what it says on the

front of the bottle. The back label lists it as magnesium glycinate,

and it also contains a bit of calcium.

I chose this product after a lot of careful research. Solgar is a

trusted company. And in this particular product, Solgar uses chelated

minerals produced by Albion Labs. Albion chelated (bound) magnesium to

the amino acid, glycine. Amino acids are very small, so binding a

mineral to an amino acid makes it easier to sneak it across cell

membranes.

Other companies offer chelated mineral, but some don't tell you what

they chelated the mineral to, and I've learned to be pretty picky I

guess. Also, apparently this is a tricky process and easy to

breakdown, but Albion patented their process and the mineral stays

stable.

Albion Labs is a good company. The founder (a pharmacist) has a very

impressive history -- he's actually the guy who created protein drinks

during WWII, which helped save the lives of many GI's recovering from

their wounds. So if you use Ensure or Boost, you can thank Dr. Harvey

Ashmead.

When I started on magnesium (end of January 2002), I started

taking it too. We both started with magnesium chloride, then later I

switched to magnesium citrate and to magnesium gluconate. But it

wasn't until I started using magnesium glycinate that I saw a huge

difference for me. Really huge -- within 48 hours the impact was

amazing. So you can tell why I'm sold.

saw faster results, right from the beginning when he was on

magnesium chloride. But we think it's because was so magnesium

deficient that his body just grabbed on to the magnesium like a

dehyrated camel in the a Desert! We both started using Solgar's

magnesium glycinate at the same time (August 2002) and he continues

doing so well (knock wood!). In fact, he recently bought a bike and

has ridden it downtown to work a few times. In two days he logged 22

miles!

It's often hard to find Solgar magnesium glycinate. If you have a

Whole Foods store near you, they carry it, but usually only the small

bottles, not the large bottles. An online site for ordering the large

bottles (250-ct.) is http://www.houseofnutrition.com/m1.html

is absolutely sold on tea tree essential oil. He has also used

lavender essential oil in the past. Lavender eases inflammation and is

a nice relaxant when you're stressed, so sometimes he'd put a pot of

water on the stove to boil, then turn off the water and add a couple

drops lavender oil and let it scent his kitchen while studying for

finals.

He also likes eucalyptus essential oil. That's the oil he started

using before tea tree. But a woman with CF in her 30's who has used

essential oils a lot, told me that her Chinese doctor told her that

people with CF shouldn't use eucalpytus for longer than 3 days at a

time because it can cause " heat. " I think in Chinese terminology, heat

is inflammation. So, uses eucalyptus sparingly, only when nose

is stuffy because the scent opens him up. but eucalyptus also has nice

antimicrobial properties.

Tea tree is just an all-round great thing -- fights fungus, bacteria,

viruses, parasites, yeast. once put a drop on a Q-tip and zapped

a zit with it. Overnight the zit just disappeared.

Last summer when it was really hot and humid here, I bought a bar of

tea tree soap. He loved the scent, and I just felt better him using it

during weather that seems to promote fungal growth. I know moms

who put tea tree and orange essential oil into spray bottles of water

and use it to disinfect kitchen and bathroom countertops instead of

using commercial products.

You can also find tea tree shampoos and toothpastes. Word of caution,

be sure to keep all essential oils out of the hands of little ones.

You can put a few drops of tea tree oil in bath water, but watch very

carefully so little ones do *not* drink the bath water or splash in

eyes. I've been giving my dog a weekly tea tree rinse after

shampooing to help kill this skin yeast he has. I can really see a

difference.

Look for essential oils that say " pure " -- organic oils are always

nice, especially if you're using them for inhaling. Avoid oils in

plastic bottles, only buy glass bottles, preferably dark glass as it

protects the oil from light.

I think has some oils on her web site. But I don't remember if

she carries tea tree oil. Right now, I'm on a hunt for some

leptospermum petersonii essential oil. It's called " lemon scented tea

tree oil, " though it's from the manuka family. And studies I just read

tonight show it has a higher killing effect than standard tea tree or

manuka.

If any Aussies know where to find this LSTTO, please let me know!

Kim

--- " Marcia Monico " <mks65roses@w...> wrote:

Kim,

This is all SO interesting. What magnesium supplement do you use?

Are there certain things to look for in a magnesium supplement when

purchasing one for a child with CF? Ben cultures MRSA (has for quite

some time), so I am also very interested in learning more about the

Manuka oil.

Marcia

-------------------------------------------

The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

be construed as medical advice.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS.

------------------------------------

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