Re: Magnesium - Questions (and taurine)

[Guest guest]

Ashauna,

I'll try to answer your questions, first about magnesium, then about

taurine.

The most accuate way to determine magnesium deficiency is to test

intracellular levels. This isn't a blood test; instead, you take a

tiny scraping of the cells under his tongue. Many doctors aren't yet

aware this test is available. to learn more, go here:

http://www.exatest.com

Yes, you can ask your doctor to do a blood test, just keep in mind

that if the blood test comes back " normal " (in range), a total body

deficiency *can* still exist. A blood test only shows the amount of

magnesium in the blood, *not* total body. Only 1% of magnesium

circulates in the blood, while roughly 60% is stored in bones and

teeth, the rest (about 40%) is stored in cells.

Studies indicate that people on tube feedings eventually develop

magnesium deficiency.

You said that Colgan has been having " severe " diarrhea for about three

weeks. A person can become magnesium deficient in 2-3 days. If you

give him too much of the wrong type of magnesium (such as magnesium

oxide), you could increase the diarrhea, making the deficiency worse.

This is why I recommend chelated magnesium manufactured by Albion Labs

-- it is stable and absorbed into the cells much better than other

types, and typically won't cause gastric upsets (at least, no one has

mentioned any to me, yet).

Since Colgan is 7 months old, you also face typical baby stuff that

can cause diahrrea or loose stools, such as tummy viruses and

teething. But with the symptoms you've mentioned, I'm betting he's

deficient.

Does Colgan's doctor have him on any vitamin/mineral supplements? Have

you tried using a different type of enzyme?

One last thought on magnesium: if there is a magnesium deficiency,

then you will see impaired fat metabolism.

Magnesium is funny that way. If you're overweight and have magnesium

deficiency, then you'll have higher cholesterol (and greater chance of

gallstones and kidney stones) and impaired fat utilization. But if you

have a malabsorption issue such as CF and you're magnesium deficient,

then you'll see more bile acids flushed from the body -- steatorrhea:

fatty, yellow poop.

Taurine is an amino acid compound made from another amino acid,

cysteine. Taurine is one component of bile acids made in the liver.

Bile acids help digestion and absorption of fats and fat-stored

vitamins *such as A, E, D, and K. (And taurine is partially

responsible for the classic brown color of poop!). Infants can't make

their own taurine, so they get it from mom's breast milk or infant

formulas that have taurine added.

Some people with CF have improved digestion by taking taurine. Another

way to improve fat digestion and absorption is to eat a sulfur rich

diet (eggs, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, garlic, brussel sprouts) and

take MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Some people also take lecithin,

which is a natural fat emulsifier.

If you're interested in learning more about these things, here's an

easy web site: http://www.healthwell.com Just type whatever you're

searching for in the keyword box.

Before you rush out to buy any supplements or buy online, just do a

little homework. You want to be sure you're buying from a reputable

company that has good quality control standards in place.

Kim

--- Ashauna_and_@w... wrote:

Kim,

ummmmm yep I think I need to look into this for sure. Colgan is always

very fussy hates to sleep and really does not take a nap he is only 7

months old so I knew this was weird. Seeing that mood and sleep

patterns can be affected really make me wonder.

Should I ask for a test of some sort to verify or just start

supplimenting. Are these kids low in Mag. really pale. My little

one is so pale all of the time. No color at all. I know this

probably has a lot of reasons just wondering if this could be one

cause.

As far as the digestive problems they are really bad right now. He is

on continuous feeds at night and has not gained by 5 oz the entire

time of almost 2 weeks now. I do not know what to do at this point

it seems like no matter what I try with his enzymes it does not get

better. He is suffering from severe diarreah right now and has for

almost 3 weeks. Usually his poops are not hard but are much more

formed than they are presently.

As far as taurine I am still learning so much at this stage of this.

I have no idea what that even is let alone though of giving it to him.

Please excuse my ignorance to all of these medicines and suppliments.

I feel like a sponge trying to soak up all the info I can and hoping

that I can hold onto it all some how.

Thanks for help

Ashauna

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Colgan does take the ADEKS vitamin. He is on 1 ml. per day. I give

this to him around 5 at night. Don't know if it makes a difference this

is just when I usually get the most food in his little tummy. I know

that vit. always make mine upset. I just don't want his to bother him

any more than it already does.

We clinic on Tuesday so I definately will ask about the

intracellular levels test for magnesium. I am betting that he is very

deficient though I just don't want to give him this just because I think

so. I am always really leary of suppliments probably just because of

lack of knowledge about them. Guess I better jump on the band waggon

and start digging in though

I will look up those sights that you gave me. Just curious do you work

in this area or just from your own experience and studies?

Ashauna

[Guest guest]

ASHAUNA,

WHEN YOU GO TO CLINIC ALSO SEE IF MAYBE COLGAN CAN TRY A DIFFERENT TYPE OF

ENZYME. SOME ENZYMES WORK BETTER FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE.

KAREN

W/ CODY 17 MONTHS

Re: Re: Magnesium - Questions (and taurine)

Kim,

Colgan does take the ADEKS vitamin. He is on 1 ml. per day. I give

this to him around 5 at night. Don't know if it makes a difference this

is just when I usually get the most food in his little tummy. I know

that vit. always make mine upset. I just don't want his to bother him

any more than it already does.

We clinic on Tuesday so I definately will ask about the

intracellular levels test for magnesium. I am betting that he is very

deficient though I just don't want to give him this just because I think

so. I am always really leary of suppliments probably just because of

lack of knowledge about them. Guess I better jump on the band waggon

and start digging in though

I will look up those sights that you gave me. Just curious do you work

in this area or just from your own experience and studies?

Ashauna

[Guest guest]

,

I will look into it

Thanks Ashauna