Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Magnesium (3)

Intake and deficiency of Magnesium

Magnesium is second only to potassium among those who failed to meet the intake targets in a UK survey. More women than men failed to reach their target and the younger age groups were worst affected.
The low average intake of Magnesium is often reflected in the low proportion of magnesium from cereals. In a well-balanced diet, the wholegrain food group should provide at least half the magnesium intake. Magnesium intake would be improved several fold by simply replacing refined cereal products with wholegrain equivalents.

Other factors can lower magnesium status, including malabsorption, kidney problems, endocrine disorders and alcoholism.

Magnesium absorption can also be jeopardised when calcium intake is very high: for maximal absorption of both minerals, the Ca:Mg ratio in the diet should be 2:1. Ideally, therefore, magnesium should be included in calcium supplements for bone health. Interesting though is that from the Carbohydrate food group ("sugary products”), which include jams, confectionery and soft drinks; beer (!) is the main contributor of magnesium in this category because yeast contains high amounts of magnesium.

The effects of mild magnesium deficiency include a variety of signs and symptoms affecting the neurological and neuromuscular systems. These include muscle cramps or twitches, palpitations and restless legs. More seriously, magnesium deficiency may cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease (heart disease), especially arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).

The assessment of magnesium status proves to be problematic. Although commonly used, serum magnesium concentration is inadequate. Red blood cell magnesium, although a better measure as it reflects the intracellular nature of the mineral, is still not universally accepted. The best method is a classic research technique: recovery of magnesium from 24- hour urinary magnesium excretion following a known load of magnesium administered parenterally, compared with a baseline 24-hour urinary magnesium. In other words, give the subject a known amount of magnesium and collect urine over a 24 hour period. Compare the excretion of magnesium with the excretion over a similar period without taking the extra amount of magnesium. This should indicate how well magnesium is absorbed, utilised and excreted.

Tough tests to do. The best to do is to ensure adequate intake through the natural dietary process. Eat healthy.
More on that in the next (nr 4) session on Magic Magnesium . . . .

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

find-a-buy

Fresh from the printers: A new Blog.
E-bay look out! Bid-or-buy beware!
He's on a roll.....

find-a-buy

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Magnesium (2)

Sources of Magnesium.
Good sources of magnesium in the diet are confined mainly to wholegrain cereals, nuts, beans
and seeds. Other very good sources of magnesium include leafy green vegetables, like spinach.
The effect of milling on the magnesium content of cereals can be seen by comparing the content in a portion of brown rice with white rice or a slice of wholemeal bread with white bread.
Cereal refining was responsible for an estimated 50 per cent decline in magnesium intake in the 20th century.
For a table with the most common sources plus the contents of Magnesium in each, please email me.

Function of Magnesium

The body contains about 25g of magnesium: 50 per cent in bone, 27 per cent in muscle, 19 per cent in other soft tissues, and only 1 per cent in blood.
Magnesium functions in most systems of the body, including energy pathways, the replication of DNA and synthesis of RNA. Its role is intimately linked to that of calcium. Indeed, low blood magnesium enhances parathyroid hormone secretion, which promotes bone demineralisation.
At the cellular level, magnesium can act as a calcium channel blocker by inhibiting the calcium entry into the cell (where calcium regulates cell activity).
In the nervous system, magnesium acts at synapses (the gaps between nerve cells) as a depressant. Furthermore, the mineral can inhibit the release of adrenalin, high levels of which increase urinary magnesium output, perpetuating a vicious cycle of deficiency.

Magnesium is excreted by the kidneys, and urinary output increases with increasing doses up to 2g daily. Higher intakes are unabsorbed and laxative – hence the traditional use of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) for constipation. Normally, the kidneys are excellent at regulating blood levels of magnesium and hence it is difficult to demonstrate low body magnesium status through plasma magnesium concentration in normal healthy people. This is especially so as equilibrium between the body tissues is slow – up to 100 days – so plasma magnesium values do not fully reflect total body status.
More to follow . . .

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Magnesium

In a multi-part series, I will highlight some issues regarding the mineral Magnesium, sometimes lacking in the modern diet and causing a lot of discomfort, especially if you're into serious training!

Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral in the body and second only to potassium inside
the cell. It acts as a co-factor in more than 300 enzyme pathways including energy metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis (DNA, RNA).
Its involvement is pervasive and includes bone structure, muscle contraction, nerve cell activity, heart muscle function, hormone receptor binding, blood clotting, calcium channel regulation, membrane electrolyte balance, neurotransmitter release and vasomotor tone. Its antagonism
to calcium has led to it being called “nature’s calcium channel blocker”.
Despite its importance, magnesium is the nutrient that is most lacking in the British diet,
apart from potassium. Magnesium deficiency is rarely life threatening, but it can reduce quality of life through a plethora of minor health complaints such as headaches, cramps, palpitations and muscle twitches.

More to follow.......

Sunday, May 07, 2006

PeeCee Productions

Go check this out: The guy might even look familiar!

PeeCee Productions: "Creating Marketing DVD's"

What I do and love doing is creating short marketing DVDs or SCDs for small businesses. A lot of small business owners are ripped off by big marketing guru's by creating rigid, pre-conceived crap.
A lot of sSll Business owners do not make use of in-house DVD marketing because they are scared, or do not know what or how to go about doing it, or they believe that it is beyond their financial reach.

Think again"

Go read more .... PeeCee Productions

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Aromadough

Now this is something to rant & rave about!
Aromatherapy Play Dough!
Found this delightful idea during our recent travels to the Cape
And the nice thing is, we are now selling these!

Aromadough:
"Need to de-stress or want to be energised?"

Aromadough could be just the tonic!
Aromadough's unique moisturising formula
(with beeswax, grapeseed oil and cocoa butter)
allows for a slow release of essential oils
for 'hands on' fun therapy!


For children we have a squeeze for
• Sneezes & wheezes
• Quiet play and sweet dreams
• Recovery and well-being

Think Fun, Fragrance & Freshness
and give aromadough as a gift
or keep a a handful at your fingertips
– at home, work or in the car.

Simply Squeeze and Release!"