Study-supported health benefits of magnesium

• Asthma
• Bones
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• Dental problems
• Diabetes (N/A)
• Estrogen Dominance (ED)
• Infection
• Kidney stones
• Mental well-being
• Migraines
• Neurological / Neuromuscular
• Skin / Hair
• Surgery

Increasing magnesium intake helps asthma sufferers

• Mg improves lung function.    California/Washington universities study followed 2 groups of 26 participants with asthma for 6 1/2 months. One group took a placebo, the other magnesium.  The magnesium group showed significant improvement in lung activity and ability to move air in and out of their lungs. Magnesium Supplements May Benefit People With Asthma, 2013
• Conversely, those with low Mg diets had more asthmatic symptoms and reported more wheezing.    Found a British study reported in the Lancet in 1994. Britton et al, 1994
• Magnesium reduces inflammation of the airways and lungs by stabilizing mast cells (produce inflammation-causing mediators, incl. histamine) and T-lymphocytes (immune system T-cells, B-cells and natural killer cells).   A rat study found that severely magnesium-deficient rats had higher blood levels of histamine when exposed to allergens than magnesium-sufficent rats. Another study found that magnesium-deficient rats had raised levels of histamine and white blood cell counts. Nishio et al, 1987; Claverie-Benureau et al, 1981
• Magnesium helps relax airway smooth muscle and dilates bronchioles in the lungs

Magnesium dissolves calcium oxalate kidney stones

• A deficiency of magnesium, allows calcium oxalate stones to be produced.    Calcium precipitates and fixes to oxalic acid in such as potatoes, spinach and tomatoes.

Note: magnesium is not involved in urate stones (caused by excess meat producing uric acid) or phosphate stones (from vegetables with phosphate and phosphorus).

(1) Cancer Treatment Core - "Cancer NOT Allowed!"

With cancer, restoring your body's magnesium levels is a "NO BRAINER!"

Cancer patients have notably low levels of magnesium in their bodies

• Studies suggest that cancer may not be able to exist in a body saturated with magnesium;

Radiation and chemotherapy both deplete the body's magnesium levels

• Magnesium is a team player.  You will also need to ensure that the other nutrients on magnesium's "team" are not only present, but also in balanced proportion, since they all work together. The other main team members are Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamins A, D and K. The "team" also includes manganese, zinc and copper.

• Research suggests that almost anyone with cancer should begin a Calcium : Magnesium intake ratio of 1:1 - High calcium levels are commonly attributed to either mainstream cancer treatments or the cancer itself, but the underlying issue is most likely magnesium deficiency. Severe hypercalcemia can be avoided if magnesium levels are brought up to normal.

• Transdermal magnesium chloride is the first and most important item in any cancer treatment strategy.   It takes 3-4 months of transdermal magnesium therapy to restore cellular magnesium levels where they need to be, but the benefits will be experienced throughout the body's systems within only a few days - much like quenching your thirst after being dehydrated.

Transdermal Magnesium Chloride

Research showing general correlations between magnesium and cancer

• High magnesium levels associated with 50% decrease in cancer mortility.   Found researchers at the Lille Pasteur Institute in a study of > 4,000 men over an 18-year follow up period. (Also a 40% decrease in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality). Epidemiology 2006
• In solid tumors a high level of supplemented magnesium inhibits carcinogenesis Durlach 1986
• Researchers found that 46% of the patients admitted to the ICU of a cancer center presented with Mg deficiency Deheinzelin 2000
• Magnesium seems to be protective against cancer - both cancer cells and magnesium deficiency show a dramatically impaired ionic flux between the outer and inner cell membranes i.e. higher Ca and Na; lower magnesium and K levels. Lead (Pb) salts caused more leukemia cells when given to magnesium deficient rats, than when they are given to magnesium-adequate rats, suggesting that magnesium protects against cancer; researchers concluded that inadequacy of magnesium and antioxidants are important risk factors in predisposing to leukemias. Aleksandrowicz, 1970
• Much less magnesium binding to cancer cells than normal cells.   Using cells from induced cancers, researchers found that there is much less magnesium (Mg++) binding to membrane phospholipids of cancer cells, than to normal cell membranes. Mg-deficient cell membranes have a smoother surface than normal. They also have decreased membrane viscosity, similar to changes in human leukemia cells. Anghileri 1979
• Several studies have shown an increased cancer rate in regions with low magnesium levels in soil and drinking water (also with low selenium levels).  E.g. in N and S of France and Italy cancer rates correlate with magnesium deficiency in soil
• Areas with a high average magnesium intake have significantly less cancer.   In Egypt, the cancer rate was only about 10% of that in Europe and America (and practically non-existent in rural peasants). Average magnesium intake of the Egyptian cancer-free populations is 2.5-3g, > 10 x most western countries. Egypt 1931

Specific cancers correlated with magnesium deficiency

Periosteal cancer.  Restoring magnesium levels caused periosteal (fibrous connective tissue wrapped around bone) tumors to rapidly disappear " Hunt 1972

Colon cancer

• Magnesium-rich diets reduced the occurrence of colon cancer - concluded School of Public Health researchers at the University of Minnesota; A study from Sweden reported that women with the highest magnesium intake had a 40% lower risk of developing colon cancer than those with the lowest Mg intake. Reference?
• A Vanderbuilt university study found that low ratios of magnesium and calcium are associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer. "The risk of colorectal cancer adenoma recurrence was reduced by 32 per cent among those with baseline calcium to magnesium ratio below the median in comparison to no reduction for those above the median,"said Qi Dai, MD, PhD, a member of the research team.
• Calcium supplementation only reduced the risk of cancer recurrence if the ratio of calcium to magnesium was low, and remained low during the intervention period. Both high Mg and calcium levels have been linked to reduced risks of colon cancer, but high calcium levels inhibit the absorption of magnesium. AACR, Nutraingredients

Leukemia.   Pre-treatment hypomagnesemia has been reported in young leukemic children.   78% of whom have histories of anorexia, and have excessive gut and urinary losses of Mg. Paunier, 1965

Gastric cancer.   Magnesium provides protective effect against gastric cancer - the School of Public Health at the Kaohsiung Medical College in Taiwan found that Mg exerts a protective effect against gastric cancer, but only for the group with the highest levels. Yang 1998

Prostate Cancer.   Magnesium protects against high calcium intake linked to higher risk of prostate cance.    A 1998 Harvard School of Public Health study of 47,781 men found those consuming 1,500 - 2000 mg of calcium per day had about double the risk of being diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer as those getting 500 mg per day or less.Those consuming > 2,000 mg had over four times the risk of developing metastatic prostate cancer as those taking in less than 500 mg.

Breast cancer.  Magnesium deficiency - The missing link between alcohol consumption and increased risk of breast cancer?    Magnesium-deficiency is a known consequence of alcohol consumption. Wine, beer and liquor add equally to the risk of women developing breast cancer. Women who had one or two drinks a day increased their risk of developing breast cancer by 10%. More than three drinks a day raised their risk by 30 percent. Klatsky 2007.   According to data published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2002, 4% of all breast cancers (~4,000 cases a year) in the U.K. are due to alcohol consumption.

• Maybe it is not the alcohol itself causing these cancers, but rather the effects of magnesium depletion caused by the alcohol? Yes, we know that a drink or two protects against heart attacks, but it seems that magnesium supplementation may be necessary to avoid an increased cancer risk.

Magnesium has multiple anti-cancer roles

Magnesium has multiple essential roles, which need to be "played" to avoid setting the stage for the creation, growth and metastasis of cancer cells:

Magnesium has major roles in heart health / cardiovascular problems

Magnesium is the best heart medicine to prevent hypertension, stroke, angina, arrhythmia, heart attack, blood clots, etc

Appropriate magnesium supplementation can eliminate CVD related problems

• All the usual risk factors for heart disease can be the result of low magnesium status.   These risk factors include:  hypertension, high total cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, high homocysteine, and high C-reactive protein.   Recent studies show that high anxiety and depression (symptoms of human magnesium deficiency) can predict heart disease even more than the traditional risk factors.
• Transdermal magnesium chloride, used regularly,  can sustain / supply beneficial magnesium levels to your heart and circulatory system.  Transdermal delivery of magnesium chloride boosts magnesium levels to provide immediate cardiovascular benefits

Magnesium operates via several mechanisms:

Magnesium is a cofactor in cellular transmembrane transport pumps  (Na/K-ATPase).

• The transmembrane pumps are used to produce ATP energy to power cellular operations.  Relating to heart disease, a magnesium deficiency can mean there is insufficent power to pump calcium out of the cell. This can lead to cell calcification (hardening) as calcium builds up inside cell, and also affects the ability to relax muscles, negatively impacting vasodilation and blood pressure.
• Magnesium provides ATP energy for heart muscle cells.   These cells have an avid and constant need for energy.

Magnesium is required for muscle relaxation

Magnesium levels affect cardiac excitability, contraction, and conduction.   Intra- and extra-cellular magnesium levels play an important role via their regulatory effects on intracellular calcium movement in heart muscle cells;  Magnesium deficiency can result in symptoms of tachycardia, fibrillation, arterial constrictions and angina.

Magnesium dilates the heart arteries.    Both the epicardial and resistance coronary arteries. Magnesium produces vasodilation by both direct and indirect action - indirectly by sympathetic blockade and inhibition of catecholamine release.

Chronic high blood pressure can be caused both directly and indirectly by a magnesium deficiency:

• Low cellular magnesium impedes a healthy sodium to potassium ratio.   Necessary for normal blood pressure.
• Low magnesium to High calcium ratio in blood vessel muscle cells cause them to contract, resulting in high blood pressure.   Magnesium levels determine vasoconstriction or vasodilation via its powerful role in calcium  cycling in smooth muscle of blood vessels:
  • High magnesium levels inside muscle cells have a relaxing or vasodilating effect
  • Low magnesium concentrations inside muscle cells is vasoconstricting.   A potential cause of hypertension;
• Magnesium protects the heart from the negative effects of excess calcium.   By blocking calcium entry into cardiac (heart) cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, reducing vascular resistance and naturally lowering blood pressure.

Magnesium acts as an anti-arrhythmic agent

• Magnesium  deficiency has been implicated in humans in:   atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, torsade de pointes, ventricular ectopy, ventricular tachycardias, and toxic digitalis arrhythmias.
• Magnesium  limits intracellular calcium overload triggered during myocardial ischemia.   Such may be a cause of ventricular arrhythmia; Deranged intra- and extracellular concentrations of Mg , Ca and K can manifest as cardiac arrhythmia

Magnesium has an antioxidant role

• Magnesium has an antioxidant role protecting against production of inflammatory cytokines and ROS.  These inflammatory agents are involved with many degenerative diseases.   Whang, 1987
  •  Cardiac muscle necrosis and lesions were demonstrated in animals fed magnesium-deficient diets.    Necrosis/lesions were consequential to ROS originating from activation of immune system cells. Weglicki, 1996;  Weglecki, 1992; Weglicki,1994.
  • Increased susceptibility to ischemic / reperfusion injury of heart shown in animals fed magnesium-deficient diets.    Reperfusion injury is tissue damage caused by returning blood supply after a period of ischemia (restricted blood supply), which results in inflammation and oxidative damage rather than restoration of normal function. Weglicki, 1994

Magnesium keeps blood flowing smoothly

• By reducing platelet aggrevation/stickiness, magnesium helps prevent the formation of blood clots. Bo, 2008.
• Magnesium lowers LDL cholesterol levels/prevents atherosclerosis.   Mg +ATP complex regulates cholesterol synthesis (by deactivating the rate-limiting enzyme HMG-CoA reductase required for its production). Magnesium also lowers inflammation, decreases oxidative stress, reduces homocysteine levels and diminishes endothelial dysfunction—all factors underlying CVD. Magnesium can raise HDL cholesterol, whilst lowering LDL cholesterol, since it is a cofactor of the enzyme LCAT which transfers part of one molecule to another resulting in the conversion of LDL to HDL. "The Magnesium Factor" by Mildred S. Seelig, Andrea Rosanoff (Note that adequate magnesium levels do not prevent the synthesis of cholesterol needed for healthy production of steroid hormones and vitamin D, since deactivated HMG-CoA reductase can be reactivated by other enzymes, some of which require magnesium for proper function).

Hormonal mechanisms

• Magnesium is essential for endocrine stability /function

• Magnesium  is protective against metabolic syndrome and diabetes.    These major factors threaten heart and vascular health.

Magnesium deficiency is closely associated with CVD

"Magnesium deficiency appears to have caused eight million sudden coronary deaths in America during the period 1940-1994."

- Paul Mason

Calculations of American Deaths Caused by Magnesium Deficiency, As Projected from International Data

• As magnesium intake fell during the 100 years since 1900, death from heart disease skyrocketed.   Adequate magnesium levels are essential for proper heart function and a magnesium deficiency can cause the heart muscle to spasm or cramp and stop beating (i.e cardiac arrest).  Harrison, 1994

• Fatal heart attacks are more common in areas where the water supply is deficient in magnesium.   The average intake via diet is often significantly less than the 200-400 milligrams required daily. Eisenberg, 1992
• Studies show low incidence of high blood pressure and heart disease where magnesium levels in drinking water and food are high.   Greenland natives, the Bantu of southern Africa, the Bedouin of the middle east and Aborigines of Australia were studied, but when these people moved to urban areas and began eatinga modern diet, they developed high blood pressure and heartdisease at similar rates to those in industrialized western countries. Altura, 1995
• Lower magnesium concentrations have been found in heart attack patients.   Shechter, 1992
• U.S. study of >10,000 people found that 79% were consuming less than the US RDA of Mg.   Conversely, the 26% of the study participants who were taking magnesium supplements demonstrated lower levels of C-Reactive protein (an accurate predictor of heart disease is a measure of inflammatory activity in the body). US Study, reported in the July 2006 issue of the journal Nutrition Research.

A high calcium to magnesium ratio "Spells" CVD

• Calcium must be balanced with magnesium (and also Vitamins A, D and K.   All part of the calcium "team"), otherwise calcium causes calcification and arterial restriction.
• High calcium levels (unbalanced by magnesium) constrict the heart arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks
  • Calcium deposits in the walls of the arteries contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis.   Arteries become hard and rigid, which restricts blood flow causing high blood pressure. Additionally, inelastic blood vessels can easily rupture, causing strokes.
  • Cardiovascular calcification lesions can lead to the development of CVD.   Including myocardial ischaemia, myocardial infarction, impaired myocardial function, congestive heart failure, cardiac valve insufficiency, and cardiac arrhythmias. There is a strong association between increased cardiac calcification and risk of death.
• Countries consuming the highest calcium to magnesium ratios (high calcium and low magnesium levels) have the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease
  • Topping the list is Australia, then the U.S. and Scandinavian countries.   In contrast, Japan with its low cardiac death rate cites a daily Mg intake as high as 560 mg, mainly from Mg in sea vegetables and single-cell algae, such as chlorella and spirulina, and also a variety of ocean-related food sources, including Nigari (magnesium chloride crystals that remain after sodium chloride is removed and water is evaporated from seawater) added to drinking water, miso soups, steamed vegetables, etc. and used as coagulants in the production of tofu. Additionally, the Japanese have one of the lowest intakes of calcium from dairy products.
• Those who die from heart attacks have very low magnesium and high calcium levels in their heart muscles - CHD patients treated with high dose magnesium survived better than those treated with other drugs. Intravenous Mg could save your life when administered during or shortly after a heart attack. (see below)
• Study by Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago determined that insufficient dietary magnesium increases your chances of developing coronary artery disease.   In a study of 2,977 men and women, researchers used CT scans of the chest to assess coronary artery calcium levels. Beginning measurements were taken when the study participants were 18- to 30-years old—and again 15 years later. Results concluded that dietary magnesium intake was inversely related to coronary artery calcium levels. Coronary artery calcium is considered an indicator of atherosclerosis, in which plaque build-up blocks arteries.
• The ratio of calcium to magnesium is vital for cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier.

Benefits of magnesium in specific CVD problems

Magnesium  is the best heart medicine to prevent hypertension, stroke, angina, arrhythmia, heart attack, blood clots, etc

Transdermal Magnesium Chloride boosts magnesium levels to provide immediate cardiovascular benefits (Used regularly, can sustain /supply beneficial Mg levels to your heart and circulatory system)

ARRYTHMIAS.  Magnesium prevents arrhythmias (heart palpitations / "flutters" / racing heart)

• Numerous double-blind studies have shown magnesium to be beneficial for many types of arrhythmias.    Including atrial fibrillation, ventricular premature contractions, ventricular tachycardia, and severe ventricular arrhythmias. Arrhythmias usually clear up on 500 milligrams of magnesium once or twice daily or faster if given intravenously.

HEART ATTACK.   Magnesium protects against death from heart attack

• Magnesium protects against death at the time of heart attack.   Magnesium provides a significant protective factor against death from acute myocardial infarction.    A magnesium deficiency can cause the heart muscle to spasm or cramp and stop beating. Am J Epidemiol 1996
• Intravenous magnesium saves lives after heart attack
  • A 1995 study found that the in-hospital death rate of those receiving IV magnesium was a quarter of those who received only standard treatment.   An 8 year follow-up study of these same patients revealed an enduring effect of magnesium treatment. Nearly twice as many patients in the standard treatment group had died compared to those who received magnesium, and there were considerably more cases of heart failure and impaired heart function in the placebo group. In addition to increasing survival after heart attack, IV magnesium smoothes out arrhythmias and improves outcomes in patients undergoing angioplasty with stent placement.  Manz,1990;   Iseri,1989.
  • An analysis of seven major clinical studies shows that intravenous magnesium reduced the risk of death by 55% after acute heart attack.  Results were published in the prestigious "British Medical Journal" and the widely read journal "Drugs"..Teo,1991;   Teo KK, 19933

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HBP).  Magnesium prevents high blood pressure (HBP)

Study support for magnesium benefits in HBP

• Daily oral supplement of 625 mg magnesium significantly reduced blood pressure.   Study involved 21 people.  Montoyama et al, 1989

• Daily oral supplement of 411 - 548 mg magnesium reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.    Double-blind, placebo-controlled study.  Itoh, 1997

• 70-80% of borderline hypertensive patients have significantly depressed blood-ionized magnesium levels.    Found Drs. Burton and Bella Altura, two of the leading researchers in the field of magnesium.   Altura, 1995

ANGINA.   Magnesium prevents angina pain due to either coronary artery muscle spasms or atherosclerosis

• Chest pain associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is different to pain from classic angina. Even so, patients may be magnesium-deficient
  • 61% of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients shown to have low magnesium levels compared to 5% of control group.   Study involved patients with strongly symptomatic MVP, who after 5 weeks of Mg supplementation had a 50% on reduction of symptoms of chest pain, palpitation, anxiety, low energy, faintness, and difficulty breathing.  (MVP is a disorder where the mitral valve of the heart fails to completely close off one of the chambers in the heart during contraction).

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF).   Magnesium is a life-saver for those with congestive heart failure (CHF)

With CHF, a weakened heart muscle is not pumping enough blood to meet the body's needs.

• Study support for magnesium supplementation / levels with CHF
  • Controlled/double blind study findings suggest a powerful role for Mg supplementation as an adjuvant therapy to improve survival and lessen symptoms for CHF patients.    79 patients received either Mg supplements or placebo, along with optimal cardiovascular medication, for one year. For the first month, the Mg group received 390 mg elemental Mg, and 195 mg during the following 11 months. At on year, only 52% of the placebo group was still alive, compared with 76% of the Mg group.    Stepura, 2008
  • CHF patients admitted to hospital had higher baseline CRP levels/lower serum Mg levels than non-CHF patients.   Administering Mg to CHF patients increased their intracellular Mg levels and decreased CRP levels, suggesting an improvement in prognosis for these CHF patients. (C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a reliable indicator of CVD presence) Almoznino-Sarafian,2007
  • IV cocktail including magnesium chloride has shown effective results with CHF.   According to John R. Gaby, former President of the American Holistic Medical Association, in "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide"

STROKE.  Magnesium prevents and heals brain damage caused by a stroke

•  in his book "Transdermal Magnesium Therapy", Dr. Mark Sircus states that magnesium may reduce ischemic injury by increasing regional blood flow - antagonizing voltage-sensitive calcium channels, and blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptor. As a non-competitive NMDA receptor blocker, magnesium inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters at the presynaptic level and blocks voltage-gated calcium channels. Magnesium simultaneously exerts vascular effects, including increased vasodilation and cardiac output, and prevents cerebral vasospasm. Dr. Sircus points out that transdermally applied magnesium chloride offers advantages over other neuroprotective agents (such as intravenously administered magnesium sulfate) for preventing strokes. These advantages include lower cost, ease of use, and lack of side effects, asserting that a gallon and a half of low cost magnesium chloride "would do more to prevent strokes safely without side effects, than any other single medicine", but also that when "used transdermally after a stroke will reduce disability". Magnesium chloride administeredimmediately following a stroke (or heartattack) dramatically improves your chances of a full recovery.
• Study support for magnesium benefits in stroke
  • 98 stroke patients admitted to the emergency room of three hospitals in New York exhibited early and significant magnesium-ion deficits.   The stroke patients also demonstrated a high calcium to magnesium ratio, which are signs of increased vascular tone and cerebral vessel spasm. Altura, 1997
  • Higher magnesium levels in drinking water used by Taiwan residents, lowered the incidence of stroke.   All deaths due to stroke among Taiwan residents (17,133 cases) from 1989 through 1993 were compared with deaths from other causes (17,133 controls). Yang CY, 1998

Dental problems

• Magnesium regulates the amount of calcium inside cells, which provides the hard mineral component for strong teeth.    
• Magnesium inhibits osteoclasts that would otherwise cause the progressive loss of dentine and cementum.   It does this by stimulating the production of CALCITONIN, the hormone responsible for inhibiting osteoclast.  Whereas this loss is a necesssary process, called tooth resorption, that occurs under pressure from permanent teeth upon "baby" teeth, it is, however, a pathological problem if it happens to permanent teeth. Stimulants of root resorption include pulp necrosis, trauma, periodontal treatment, orthodontics and teeth whitening, situations in which magnesium supplementation would be a benefit by inhibiting osteoclasts.
• Decreases inflammation in periodontal disease, thus preventing periodontitis (destroys bone supporting your teeth).   Magnesium is a component and activator of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme, whose increased activity indicates the level of inflammation in periodontal disease. Increased inflammation in periodontal disease can change gingivitis to periodontitis when there is damage to bone supporting teeth

Magnesium against estrogen dominance

High estrogen levels linked to deficiency in magnesium and B vitamins

• Magnesium activates vitamin B6 needed for clearing estrogen from the liver.   Magnesium is needed for a phosphate transfer reaction that activates vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine). Thus a Magnesium deficiency may affect hepatic estrogen clearance by decreasing the biological activity of the B vitamins.

Reduce estrogen / Help liver better eliminate estrogen

• Magnesium directly influences estrogen conjugation (in this bound form, estrogen can be eliminated from the body).    Magnesium increases activity of an enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) involved in the hepatic glucuronidation of estrogens (Estrogen is commonly bound to glucuronic acid forming a compound that can be excreted into bile and removed from the liver, and then excreted into the intestines for elimination from the body).

Magnesium fights infection

(i.e. white blood cell basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils)

Magnesium boosts immune system /  heals wounds.  Pioneers researching infection-fighters used magnesium chloride as an antibiotic

• French surgeon, Pierre Delbet MD. (1861-1957), professor of clinical surgery, and French Academy of Sciences member.   In 1915, Prof. Delbet was looking for a solution to cleanse wounds of soldiers injured in WWI, after finding that the then available antiseptics actually damaged tissues and encouraged infections instead of preventing them. In all his tests magnesium chloride solution was by far the best. Not only was it harmless for tissues, but it also greatly increased leucocyte activity and phagocytosis in the destruction of microbes.

After World War I, his experiments using MgCl₂ chloride both internally and externally found it to be a powerful immune stimulant, increasing phagocytosis (the engulfing of pathogens by white blood cells) by up to 300% i.e. the same number of white blood cells destroyed up to 3x more microbes than without MgCl₂. One of his several books presenting the results of his studies on magnesium chloride is Politique Pr é acute;ventive du Cancer(1944). He is remembered today for his groundbreaking studies of magnesium chloride as an immune stimulant,as well as for his advocacy of using it to improve health in general. Dr. Delbet referred to magnesium as a "miracle mineral."

• French Dr. A. Neveu.   In the 1940's, Dr. Neveu cured several diphtheria patients with MgCL₂ within two days. Neveu published 15 cases of poliomyelitis that were cured within days if treatment was started immediately, or within months if paralysis had already progressed.
• Italian Dr. Raul Vergini and others.    Confirmed earlier research and added more uses for MGCl₂. Vergini reported excellent results using small quantities of orally administered magnesium chloride solution (2.5% magnesium chloride).

Diseases having positive outcomes using magnesium chloride as an antimicrobial agent.   Magnesium chloride gave much better results than other magnesium compounds in all the following health problems:

Magnesium reduces pain

Pain may be related to inflammation, toxicity, cell wall rigidity, lack of ATP cellular energy, mineral deficiencies / imbalances, or lack of enzymes (Magnesium is needed for enzyme function throughout body).   Some experts estimate ~70% of cases involving muscle pain, cramps, and/or fatigue (with labels such as fibromyalgia, migraine, CFS and constipation), are actually symptoms of magnesium deficiency.  Dr. Mildred Seelig, a pioneering magnesium researcher at the University of North Carolina, Transdermal Magnesium Therapy

Magnesium blocks pain reception

• Transdermally/Intravenously absorbed magnesium increases the magnesium concentration gradient between cell membranes and extracellular fluid, thereby blocking the NMDA receptor, and bringing immediate pain relief.    The magnesium ion has the ability to block the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor site (preventing ion flow, which relays pain signal at typical neuronal resting potentials). Mayer ML, 1987.    The NMDA receptor site has a critical role in mechanisms relating to central sensitization in the spinal cord (involved in the establishment of chronic neuropathic pain). NMDA receptor activation and release of pro-pain substances including substance P, nerve growth factor, brain derived nerve factor, and nitric oxide (NO) are believed to drive the process of central sensitization in the spinal cord;
• Conversely, reduced magnesium levels can increase acute pain and induce chronic neuropathic pain.    Low magnesium levels not only inhibit the body's capacity to block the NMDA receptor site, contributing to higher levels of acute or immediate pain, but in addition, low magnesium levels make central sensitization of the spinal cord more likely to occur, which can lead to chronic neuropathic pain.

Magnesium acts on pain source / powerful anti-inflammatory

• Magnesium regenerates tissue by increasing circulation, brings down inflammation, relieves muscle spasms / twitches
• Transdermally/Intravenously absorbed magnesium increases the magnesium concentration gradient between cell membranes and extracellular fluid to positively affect calcium to magnesium ratios in cells.   Muscle, joint, and connective tissue pain can be exacerbated by higher intakes of calcium, which flushes magnesium out of cells, reducing Mg's availability for reducing pain. (Paradoxically, magnesium is needed for proper uptake and assimilation of calcium).
• Magnesium reduces cell wall rigidity.   Consuming calcium in disproportionate amounts compared to magnesium makes cell walls rigid.   Without sufficient  magnesium, calcium is not assimilated and is dumped into tissues. Also,  with a magnesium deficiency,  cells do not have enough ATP energy energy to pump calcium out of cells

Relieve pain with transdermal magnesium therapy

Only transdermal or intravenous magnesium therapy works fast enough to relieve pain

• Transdermal Magnesium Chloride can be safely, easily and cost-effectively administered at home for pain relief and healing.    Dr. Marc Sircus, author of "Transdermal Magnesium Therapy", notes that ONLY transdermal or intravenous magnesium administration (as opposed to oral magnesium supplementation) can rapidly elevate magnesium levels in the body in quantities large enough to relieve pain.
• Alternatively, soak in an Epsom salt bath if you do not have magnesium chloride on hand (although not as effective).   A twice weekly soak in about a ¼ cup of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) bath counteracts a magnesium deficiency. This is a long-standing remedy for joint problems or arthritis. This therapy also supplies sulfur, which also provides benefit for achy joints and is often depleted in the body.

Magnesium has several effects that strengthen bones

• Regulates the amount of calcium inside cells;
• Stimulates the production of CALCITONIN - the hormone responsible for inhibiting osteoclasts (cells that break bone down)
• A component and activator of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) - an enzyme that forms new calcium crystals in bones. (Ref)

Magnesium for mental well-being

Magnesium is very important for mood, general well-being and keeping stress levels under control -Even a mild deficiency of magnesium can cause increased sensitivity to noise, nervousness, irritability, mental depression, confusion, twitching, trembling, apprehension, and insomnia.

Depressed people found to be magnesium-deficient .   A study of approximately 500 depressed people by Dr. RH Cox and Dr. CN Shealy found that the majority of the sufferers were magnesium-deficient. The authors of the study advised clinicians that they should consider the distinct possibility of therapeutic benefit from the use of magnesium therapy in chronic depression.  Cox et al, 1996

• Suicide rates linked to magnesium deficiency - the lower the magnesium content in soil and water in a given region, the higher the rate of suicides.

Magnesium may help prevent / alleviate migraines

Numerous studies strongly suggest that a person's magnesium status may be associated with the severity and frequency of migraine headaches

• Magnesium works on the symptoms of migraines - by relaxing blood vessels in the brain and inhibits the ability of calcium to constrict blood vessels. 
• "We know that 50% of all migraine sufferers are magnesium-deficient," - says Dr. Altura, PhD, professor of physiology, pharmacology and medicine at the SUNY Downstate Medical Centerin Brooklyn, New York. "60% of migraine patients have genetic variances that don't allow them to effectively metabolize and transport magnesium well,"says Dr. Altura.

SSome studies supporting use ofmagnesium against migraines

• Quick and sustained pain relief using intravenous magnesium infusions (performed by medical personnel).   More than 80% of a group of 3,000 patients given daily intravenous infusions of 200 mg ionized magnesium had significant sustained pain reduction within 15 minutes of administration.  Mauskop, 1995
• Intravenous magnesium infusions eliminated migraine symptoms.   In another study, Dr. Altura noted that magnesium infusion produced a complete elimination of migraine-induced symptoms such as nausea and photophobia.  Mauskop, 1996;
• Magnesium prevents menstrual migraines.   These occur in women of childbearing age and tend to be more frequent and disabling than non-menstrual migraines. Boska, 2002.   In fact, lower magnesium levels have been correlated with more severe neurological symptoms during menstrual migraines. Silberstein, 2007; Mauskop, 2001
• Prevention is preferable to treatment.    Oral magnesium supplementation has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. Mauskop , 1998;  Boska, 2002

Magnesium for Neurological /Neuromuscular conditions

Magnesium calms irritated and over-excited nerves.  When magnesium levels are low, nerves lose control over muscle activity, respiration and mental processes.  The neurological effects are:

• Reducing electrical excitation
• Blocking release of ACETYLCHOLINE
• Blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) GLUTAMATE receptors - an excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system.

Magnesium for skin and hair

Anti Aging - Anti Wrinkle - Moisturizer

Areas around your eyes and face treated with magnesium chloride oil show a significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles for many people.   Magnesium presence enhances hydration of your skin and encourages the production of collagen. Many people also see a significant reduction in wrinkle depth.

Magnesium chloride oil has been shown to increase the production of DHEA production when applied to the skin.   DHEA is a pre- cursor for the male and female hormones having several benefits for skin. Dr. Norm Shealy, graduate of Duke University medical school and a well- known author / lecturer, has tested magnesium chloride oil comparing transdermal to oral and intravenous applications. He emphasizes that DHEA deficiency is present in almost every illness, and that magnesium chloride oil sprayed on the skin brings body's DHEA levels back to normal within 30 to 45 days.

• Here are a couple of studies providing evidence that DHEA has beneficial effects on skin health and appearance:
  • In a 2000 ex- vivo study, DHEA increased production of collagen (the sought-after youthful promoting component of the skin's connective tissue ), whilst decreasing production of the collagenase enzymes that destroy it.  Lee, 2000
  •  In 2008, Canadian scientists studying postmenopausal women using topical DHEA cream concluded that "DHEA could exert an anti- aging effect in the skin" - ". . . through stimulation of collagen biosynthesis, improved structural organization of the dermis while modulating keratinocyte metabolism."They found that the womens' skin contained > 50 DHEA- responsive genes, and not only did DHEA turn on several collagen- producing genes, it also reduced expression of genes involved with production and hardening of keratinocytes (skin cells that form calluses / rough skin).  Calvo, 2008

Acne

• Magnesium chloride oil will help in fighting this hormonal reaction by your skin.   Applied to skin in areas where acne is present or prone to immerge

Psoriasis and Eczema

• The National Psoriasis Foundation (www.psoriasis.org) recommends a treatment using the sun and water therapy from the Dead Sea.   Psoriasis and eczema can often be healed very quickly by applying Transdermal Magnesium Therapy.

Hair

• Long- term magnesium deficiency may result in inflammation and calcium deposits in the hair follicles.   Calcification of the scalp constricts the blood supply to the hair follicles, causing reduced nutrient flow.
• Male Pattern Baldness.   Transdermal magnesium chloride oil may be beneficial for male pattern baldness, by dissolving calcium deposits in the scalp and increasing body's magnesium levels. You can apply magnesium chloride oil directly onto your scalp or massage it into thin areas of the skin and scalp in order to maximize absorption into your bloodstream.
• Hair conditioner.    Apply a little magnesium chloride oil to hair after washing for softening effect;

Magnesium significantly reduces medical complications in surgery

When magnesium levels are corrected by the administration of magnesium before, during and after surgery medical complications are significantly reduced to the point where it becomes simply imprudent to perform surgery without it.   Dr. Minato at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, in Japan, strongly recommends the correction of hypomagnesemia during and after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) for the prevention of perioperative coronary artery spasm and his team has actually said that they won't perform this surgery without its use any longer.

Everyone scheduled for surgery needs to increase their stores of magnesium.    In both the pre- and postoperative phases, magnesium can:

• Help alleviate pain
• Decrease blood pressure
• Alleviate certain heart arrhythmias
• Work to prevent blood clotting
• Relieve depression (common after bypass surgery)
• Improve energy and cognitive abilities.

 

References

Miscellaneous health problem references

Britton J, Pavord I, Richards K, Wisniewski A, Knox A, Lewis S, Tattersfield A, Weiss S. Dietary magnesium, lung function, wheezing, and airway hyperreactivity in a random adult population sample. Lancet. 1994 Aug 6;344(8919):357-62. PubMed Abstract

Calvo E, Luu- The V, Morissette J, et al. (2008 Dec) Pangenomic changes induced by DHEA in the skin of postmenopausal women. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 112(4- 5):186- 93.

Claverie-Benureau S, Lebel B, Gaudin-Harding F. Changes in histamine and white blood cells in the blood, spleen and thymus of magnesium-deficient rat.Reprod Nutr Dev 1981; 21(4):591-600 PubMed

Cox RH, Shealy CN, Cady RK, Veehoff D, Burnetti Awell M. Houston R, "Significant magnesium deficiency in depression." J Neurol Orthop Med Surg, vol 17, pp. 7-9, 1996.

Lee KS, Oh KY, Kim BC (2000 Jun) Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on collagen and collagenase gene expression by skin fibroblasts in culture. J Dermatol Sci. ;23(2):103- 10.

Mayer ML, Westbrook GL. Permeation and block of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor channels by divalent cations in mouse cultured central neurones. J Physiol 1987; 394: 501-527.

Nishio A, Ishiguro S, Miyao N, Specific change of histamine metabolism in acute magnesium-deficient young rats. 1987. 5(2):89-96 PubMed

Magnesium Supplements May Benefit People With Asthma. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), 10 Feb. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.

FFindings presented at the seventh annual American Association for Cancer (AACR) Research (AACR) international conference on frontiers in cancer prevention research]

Cancer

Aleksandrowicz, J., Blicharski, J., Dzigowska, A., Lisiewicz, J. Leuko- and oncogenesis in the light of studies on metabolism of magnesium and its turnover in biocenosis. Acta Med. Pol. 1970; 11:289-302. (abstr: Blood 1971; 37:245)/p>

Anghileri, L.J. Magnesium concentration variations during carcinogenesis. Magnesium Bull. 1979; 1:46-48. Article

Deheinzelin D, E.M. Negri1, M.R. Tucci, M.Z. Salem1, V.M. da Cruz1, R.M. Oliveira, I.N. Nishimoto and C. Hoelz. Hypomagnesemia in critically ill cancer patients: a prospective study of predictive factors. Braz J Med Biol Res, December 2000, Volume 33(12) 1443-1448

Durlach J, Bara M, Guiet-Bara A, Collery P. Relationship between magnesium, cancer and carcinogenic or anticancer metals. Anticancer Res. 1986 Nov-Dec;6(6):1353-61.

 MAY 19, 1931, Dr. P. Schrumpf-Pierron presented a paper entitled "On the Cause Of the Rarity of Cancer in Egypt,"which was printed in theBulletin of the Academy of Medicine, and theBulletin of the French Association for the Study of Cancerin July, 1931. http://www.mgwater.com/rod02.shtml

 "Zinc, Copper and Magnesium and Risks for All-Cause Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality" Epidemiology, Vol. 17, No. 3, May 2006, epidem.com.

Hunt, B.J., Belanger, L.F. Localized, multiform, sub-periosteal hyperplasia and generalized osteomyelosclerosis in magnesium-deficient rats. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 1972; 9:17-27.

 Dr. Arthur Klatsky and asso ciates of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland,, Calif. revealed their findings at a meeting of the European Cancer Organization in Barcelona in late 2007

Paunier, L., Radde, I.C.: Normaland abnormal magnesium metabolism. Bull. of Hosp. for Sick Childr. (Toronto) 1965; 14:16-23.

 www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Magnesium-may-be-key-to-calcium-s-cancer-benefits-study

Yang CY et al. Jpn J Cancer Res.1998 Feb;89 (2):124-30. Calcium, magnesium, and nitrate in drinking water and gastric cancer mortality.

Cardiovascular disease

Altura, B.M., B.T. ( 1995 May/June) "Magnesium in Cardiovascular Biology."Scientific American, Science & Medicine:28-37.

Bo S, Pisu E. (2008, Feb) Role of dietary magnesium in cardiovascular disease prevention, insulin sensitivity and diabetes. Curr Opin Lipidol. 19(1):50-6.

Eisenberg, Mark J. (1992 Aug) Magnesium deficiency and sudden death. American Heart Journal, Vol. 124, No. 2, pp. 544-49

Harrison, Tinsley R. (1994) Principles of Internal Medicine. 13th edition, McGraw-Hill, pp. 1106-15 and pp. 2434-35.

Shechter, Michael, et al (1992, Nov) The rationale of magnesium supplementation in acute myocardial infarction: a review of the literature. Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 152, pp. 2189-96

Whang R (1987) Magnesium deficiency -pathogenesis, prevalence, and clinical applications, Am J Med 82:24.

Weglicki WB et al (1994) Cytokines, neuropeptides, and reperfusion injury during magnesium deficiency, Ann NY Acad Sci 723:246.

Weglicki WB et al (1996) Role of free radicals and substance P in magnesium deficiency, Cardiovasc Res 31:677. 

Weglecki WB, Philips TM (1992) Pathobiology of magnesium deficiency - a cytokine neurogenic inflammation hypothesis, Am J. Physiology, 263:R734.

Weglicki WB et al (1994) Cytokines, neuropeptides, and reperfusion injury during magnesium deficiency, Ann NY Acad Sci 723:246.

US Study, reported in the July 2006 issue of the journal Nutrition Research.

Arrhythmias

Ott, Peter and Fenster, Paul. Should magnesium be part of the routine therapy for acute myocardial infarction? American Heart Journal, Vol. 124, No. 4, October 1992, pp. 1113-18

Dubey, Anjani and Solomon, Richard. Magnesium, myocardial ischaemia and arrhythmias: the role of magnesium in myocardial infarction. Drugs, Vol. 37, 1989, pp. 1-7.

England, Michael R., et al. Magnesium administration and dysrhythmias after cardiac surgery. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 268, No. 17, November 4, 1992, pp. 2395-2402

Yusuf, Salim, et al. Intravenous magnesium in acute myocardial infarction. Circulation, Vol. 87, No. 6, June 1993, pp. 2043-46

Woods, Kent L. and Fletcher, Susan. Long-term outcome after intravenous magnesium sulphate in suspected acute myocardial infarction: the second Leicester Intravenous Magnesium Intervention Trial (LIMIT-2). The Lancet, Vol. 343, April 2, 1994, pp. 816-19

Klevay LM, Milne DB. Low dietary magnesium increases supraventricular ectopy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Mar;75(3):550-4.

Heart attack

Am J Epidemiol (1996) 143:456-62.

Iseri, Lloyd T. et al (1989) Magnesium therapy of cardiac arrhythmias in critical-care medicine. Magnesium, Vol. 8 pp. 299-306

Manz, M., et al (1990, Mar 9) Behandlung von herzrhythmusstorungen mit magnesium. Deutsche Medi Wochenschrifte, Vol. 115, No. 10 pp. 386-90

Teo KK et al (1991) "Effects of intravenous magnesium in suspected acute myocardial infarction: overview of randomized trials."Brit Med J, vol. 303, pp. 1499-1503.

Teo KK, Yusuf S (1993) "Role of magnesium in reducing mortality in acute myocardial infarction. A review of the evidence."Drugs, vol. 46, pp. 347-359.

High Blood Pressure (HBP)

Altura, B.M., B.T. (1995 May/Jun) "Magnesium in Cardiovascular Biology."Scientific American, Science & Medicine:28-37.

Itoh, K., Kawasaki, T., Nakamura, M (1997) "The effects of high oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure, serum lipids andrelated variables in apparently healthy Japanese subjects."British Journal of Nutrition;78(5):737-50.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

 Almoznino-Sarafian D, Berman S, Mor A, et al. (2007 Jun) Magnesium and C-reactive protein in heart failure: an anti-inflammatory effect of magnesium administration? Eur J Nutr. 46(4):230-7.

Stepura OB, Martynow AI (2008 Feb 15 ) Magnesium orotate in severe congestive heart failure (MACH). Int J Cardiol.

Stroke

Altura BT et al. (1997) "Low levels of serum ionized magnesium are foundin patients early after stroke which result in rapid elevation incytosolic free calcium and spasm in cerebral vascular musclecells."Neurosci Lett, vol. 230, no. 1, pp. 37-40

Montoyama, T., Sano, H., Fukuzaki, H. "Oral magnesium supplements in patients with essential hypertension."Hypertension, 1989;13(3):227-32

YYang CY (1998) "Calcium and magnesium in drinking water and risk of death from cerebrovascular disease."Stroke, vol. 18, no. 8, pp. 411-414.

Migraines

 Boska MD, Welch KM, Barker PB, Nelson JA, Schultz L. (2002, Apr) Contrasts in cortical magnesium, phospholipid and energy metabolism between migraine syndromes. Neurology.58(8):1227-33.

Mauskop A, Altura BT, Cracco RQ, Altura BM. (1995, Dec) Intravenous magnesium sulphate relieves migraine attacks in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels: a pilot study. Clin Sci (Lond). 89(6):633-6.

Mauskop A, Altura BT, Cracco RQ, Altura BM. (1996 Mar) Intravenous magnesium sulfate rapidly alleviates headaches of various types. Headache. 36(3):154-60

Mauskop A, Altura BM. (1998) Role of magnesium in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraines. Clin Neurosci. 5(1):24-7;

Mauskop A, Fox B, (2001) What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines, Warner Books, New York.

Silberstein SD, Goldberg J (2007 Oct) Menstrually related migraine: breaking the cycle in your clinical practice. J Reprod Med. 52(10):888-95.

 

 

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