Magnesium – essential for eighty percent of our body’s chemistry.

Magnesium is a trace mineral essential for 80% of body function, (muscular contractions, energy production, removal of infected or precancerous cells, etc). It is used in over 300 enzymes required for metabolism and other chemical reactions in the body such as synthesis of DNA or proteins. (1)

This post is eleven pages long and can be read as a tabbed document: (doc)

Health Conditions linked to Magnesium inadequacy.

  • Circulatory System: Hypertension, Heart Disease, Stroke, Arrhythmias, Atrial fibrillation, Dyslipedemias.
  • Metabolic: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome.
  • Respiratory: Asthma, COPD, Other Lung/Respiratory.
  • Central Nervous System (CNS): Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Migraine, Pain Relief, Addiction, Sleeplessness, Stress.
  • Muscle/Skeletal: Low Back Pain, Osteoarthritis, Other musculoskeletal (~ muscle cramps, twitches, other chronic joint pain), Osteoporosis, Sarcopenia.
  • Immune System/Other: Pre-eclampsia, Kidney disease, Crohn’s Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Colon inflammatory diseases/IBD, Inflammation, Some Cancers.
  • (todaysdietitian/Modern Day Human Magnesium Requirements)(Seelig/Rosanoff, 2003)

Calcium/Magnesium ratio within cells affects our health.

When magnesium within cells is lower than normal calcium is allowed to enter in excess. Elevated amounts of calcium within the interior of cells acts as a signal to start different types of activity. Increased calcium to magnesium balance within a cell may cause different actions based on the type of cell.

  • Elevated calcium to magnesium ratio within cells could cause blood vessels to constrict which would increase blood pressure. Vasoconstriction within the heart could cause a random heart rate (arrthymias). Platelets within the blood would become stickier and more prone to clot which could increase risk of strokes.
  • Cholesterol and glucose over-production may occur in liver cells. Glucose uptake by muscle and fat cells could decrease. Insulin over-production could occur in pancreas cells. Which could lead to Type 2 Diabetes or Metabolic Syndrome.
  • (39, 40, 41, 42) (todaysdietitian/Modern Day Human Mg Requirements)

Summary Points:

  • Magnesium is essential for 80% of body function, (muscular contractions, energy production, removal of infected or precancerous cells, etc), (1),
  • Adequate protein and phospholipids (ATP-AdenosineTriPhosphate –> energy release –> ADP-AdenosineDiPhosphate) are needed for cells to be able to have a full reserve supply of magnesium. (MgATP, 6, 7, 8) Magnesium is located within cells primarily (greater than 99%, 12), as free ion or in an inactive form on molecules of protein or ATP., which means typical blood based lab tests are not helpful for diagnosing chronically low levels of magnesium. See a previous post for more information, food sources and supplement types, and a free etext reference.
  • Magnesium adequacy through diet or supplementation may help improve symptoms for patients with migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s dementia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, recovery after a cerebrovascular stroke, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). (9) Muscle cramps may be due to low magnesium levels (9) or an imbalance with calcium levels.
  • Magnesium supplementation may also help some types of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia. See: Magnesium and the Brain: The original chill pill, (psychologytoday.com). Mental health problems have been escalating in the U.S. and other developed countries, lack of jobs and increased social isolation and cyberbullying are involved, however magnesium/calcium imbalance are also factors. See: Latest Suicide Data Show the Depth of U.S. Mental Health Crisis, (bloomberg.com).
  • While you need adequate intake of protein for holding reserve supplies of magnesium within cells, you need adequate magnesium for the body to be able to build new proteins or modify protein structure, and to build more DNA or RNA (which uses the nucleotide ATP), (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) and in ATP hydrolysis (release of the stored energy from glucose metabolism in the Kreb’s cycle), (18) and the Kreb’s cycle. (7) Magnesium deficiency led to lower levels of ATP within red blood cells and increased amounts of ADP, from a 6:1 ratio of ATP:ADP to 2.5:1 at the lowest magnesium level. (19)
  • Which means supplementing only magnesium or only protein may not fully help protect against cardiovascular stroke or migraine pain or other symptoms associated with magnesium deficiency such as hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Cancer prevention may also be possible by preventing chronic low levels of magnesium as mutations in DNA may be more likely with inadequate magnesium. Excess calcium or imbalance in vitamin D and calcium/magnesium balance may also be involved in increased cancer risk. (10, 13) Magnesium is used by white blood cells during apoptosis of infected or damaged cells and autophagy, the removal of cells by white blood cells, may help protect against Alzheimer’s dementia. Both apoptosis and autophagy are the typical defense against precancerous cells or mismarked cells that may lead to autoimmune reactions. Once cancer is established magnesium supplements would be inadequate alone as a treatment and would also be providing the nutrient to the cancer cells.

Magnesium and calcium are electrolytes – electrically active ions similar to sodium and potassium.

Magnesium is an electrically active trace mineral/metal that is predominantly found within cell fluid and bone matrix. Only about one percent of the body’s magnesium is found in the blood plasma fluid, circulating throughout the body within blood vessels, and also through the lymphatic and glymphatic systems. (Gervin 1983, ref) (interstitial fluid) Calcium is chemically electrically active in a similar way to magnesium. Both metals can donate or accept two protons and are chemically written with a +2, while sodium and potassium can donate or accept one proton which would be written as +1.

Sodium and potassium are typically referred to as electrolytes however calcium, magnesium and other electrically active ions are also found in blood plasma and in the fluid around cells, called extracellular fluid or interstitial fluid. The fluid within cells is called intracellular fluid or cytoplasm and it also contains ions/electrolytes. The balance of ions within the different types of fluid varies somewhat however the overall average is similar to the balance of ions in sea water. The total fluid volume is about 60% of our body’s weight, of that most is found within cells, 60% intracellular fluid, and of the 40% extracellular fluid, 20% is blood plasma transported in arteries and veins, and 80% is interstitial fluid, transported in the lymphatic system. (Lymphatic fluid, 4) Magnesium would be in greater concentration in the 60% intracellular fluid and calcium would be in greater concentration in the 40% extracellular fluid.

Magnesium powers membrane transport channels – a natural calcium channel blocker.

Within the cells magnesium may be used within enzymes, over 300 require the trace mineral, or may provide their electrical power to cell membrane transport channels which allow certain chemicals to enter the cell while blocking others – when adequate magnesium ions are available to block the channels including some involved in sodium/potassium balance. (16, 18) Magnesium deficiency seemed to decrease the activity of the sodium/potassium channels in an animal based study. It led to increased intracellular sodium levels which could be a mechanism for the increased risk of arrythmias (irregular heart rate) with magnesium deficiency. (17)

Magnesium in muscles and the inner ear (tinnitus).

Magnesium causes relaxation of muscles – blocking entry of calcium into the muscle fiber, and calcium entry causes muscle contractions within smooth muscle fibers (such as the muscle fibers of the gastrointestinal tract) or striated muscle fibers (found in the muscles with voluntary control such as those of the arms and legs, and also in the heart which is not under voluntary control). (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37) Magnesium deficiency can be an underlying cause of muscle cramps or twitches (such as a nonstop twitch in the eyelids) (9), and may also be a factor in tinnitus (nonstop or intermittent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears/ear). (28) Daily supplementation with 532 milligrams of magnesium was found helpful to relieve symptoms of tinnitus in a small clinical trial. (30) Magnesium inhibits glutamate channels which are involved in activating the hair cells of the ear canal. It may also help by helping relax blood vessels to the inner ear and increasing blood flow. (29)

Magnesium is stored within the cell in an inactive form on protein molecules or ATP.

Even within the cells the majority of magnesium stores are not available in the electrically active form. Most of the back-stock of magnesium within cells is stored on proteins or molecules of ATP (the nucleotide involved in the Kreb’s cycle production of usable energy {ATP bonds} from glucose). (MgATP, 6, 7, 8)

This means magnesium deficiency can take a long time to be seen because of the extra stored within cells on proteins and ATP and the extra stored within our bone matrix can be slowly released to continue powering the 300+ enzymes and membrane channels in every cell of the body. What happens eventually however is a depletion of the backstock of magnesium on the cellular proteins and ATP and osteoporosis can develop in the bone matrix leaving fragile bones at risk for fractures — and also cell membranes at risk to an influx of too much calcium, or other excitatory chemicals such as glutamates or aspartic acid/aspartate, leaving brain cells at increased risk from food additives, or dehydration, or ischemic stroke.

Protein deficiency in the diet or increased metabolic need for protein might increase risk of low magnesium levels being available in case of a stroke. If a stroke occurred treating with intravenous magnesium fairly soon can help reduce cell damage and preserve abilities. When the body is well supplied with protein, ATP, and magnesium then the stored magnesium would be available in case of a stroke or physical brain trauma. If protein availability was limited the damage from a stroke might be more severe due to less magnesium being available for release.

Protein-energy malnutrition is a type of malnutrition involving a diet low in protein more than calories. The condition was formerly known as kwashiorkor and was first recognized in tropical infants/children. Severe edema with a bloated abdomen is typical visible symptom. (See image, page 30, 46) When magnesium deficiency is also severe the condition is more likely to result in death and strokes are also more common. The serum magnesium level of children with protein-energy malnutrition was found to be significantly lower than in the control group. Low magnesium in drinking water has been associated with increased risk of cerebrovascular disease or death by stroke. (45)

Incomplete protein in the diet seems to be involved – plant sources of protein do not all contain adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids. Missionary work historically may have increased the risk of Protein-energy malnutrition in recently weaned toddlers due to an educational message that eating insects is wrong – eating a diet with inadequate amounts of essential amino acids is what is wrong. In modern times, unfortunately, children in Africa are now being taught to not catch and eat crickets because they are likely contaminated with the pesticides that are commonly used on farm fields.

The amino acids considered essential for a child’s diet include: Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine. The traditional African diet in some areas includes complete protein from peanuts and cowpeas are only low in tryptophan. (46) Millet and sorghum are commonly used grains which are low in tryptophan, lysine, methionine, and threonine. (47) The nutrient content of food insects depends on their stage of growth, however on average they are considered a good source of complete protein – providing a similar ratio of essential amino acids as meat or fish. Food insects are also a good source of essential fatty acids, similar to fish, and provide fiber and trace minerals including “copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium and zinc.” (48)

Food insects and breastmilk also have in common N-acetyl glucosamine (within insects it is found in the form of the fiber chitin which is not typically thought of as digestible by humans however the enzyme chitinase has been found in human gastric fluid). (49, p 74, section 6.1.8: 50) Intake of N-acetyl glucosamine may help support a healthy intestinal mucousal lining. Impaired mucous lining of the intestine and reduced amounts of “enterocyte heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG),” and “abnormal sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) metabolism” have been observed in patients with protein-energy malnutrition (kwashiorkor). (49) Providing magnesium sulfate by intramuscular injection helped survival for children with protein-energy malnutrition compared to the control group in a small clinical trial. (51)

Magnesium is needed for vitamin D, CoQ10, and cholesterol production.

Magnesium deficiency can lead to low levels of the inactive and active form of vitamin D. Magnesium supplementation is needed to reverse a type of bone degenerative condition called vitamin D resistant rickets. (20) Supplementing with vitamin D and/or calcium has been popular however the benefits against fracture risk and osteoporosis have been unclear or show little benefit. (22) The need for magnesium supplementation instead of or in addition to vitamin D and calcium supplements is in area worth further study. (21) Magnesium is also involved in earlier steps involved in vitamin D production – biosynthesis of cholesterol (23) from which vitamin D can be formed in the skin when sunshine is available.

Magnesium acts similarly to statin medications and is the natural version of a calcium channel blocker medication. (23) Statins have been prescribed to many people in hopes that chemically inhibiting the production of cholesterol would help protect against heart disease, unfortunately the theory has not been proven effective – while cholesterol levels are reduced in about half the patients using the medication, the lower cholesterol levels have not also been associated with reduced mortality from cardiovasclar risks. For patients without heart failure or renal dialysis or for those over age 75 the use of statin medications helped prevent revascularization and major coronary events in about 20% of research trials that were reviewed. (24)

The cardiovascular benefits of statin medications may be due to the inhibition of an interim step in cholesterol formation – mevalonate. Magnesium would also affect mevalonate formation however in a regulatory way – controlling whether or not the reaction happens rather than only inhibiting it. (23) β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA, (HMG Co A) is converted into mevalonate which then can be converted into cholesterol or the provitamin coenzyme Q10. (26)

Lack of CoQ10 may cause muscle pain and lead to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Statin medication use may cause muscle and joint pain in some users, possibly due to inhibition of Coenzyme Q10 production. Supplements of CoQ10 (200mg/day) may help reduce the muscle pain symptoms for some patients and could also be protecting against a risk of mitochondrial dysfunction caused by low levels of the the coenzyme. (25)

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction may be a cause of chronic fatigue – low energy production by mitochondria within cells would leave every function in the body with less energy to perform their jobs. Mitochondrial dysfunction may be involved in many conditions including autism, Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s disease, diabetes and cancer. (clevelandclinic/mitochondrial diseases)

Magnesium helps protect health, and improve our energy level and mood.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are often treated with medications (such as calcium channel blockers or statins) instead of providing magnesium. Other medications commonly used to treat symptoms that might involve magnesium deficiency include: beta blockers, blood thinners, anti-hypertensive medications, insulin or metformin, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, anti-inflammatory medications. (43) (todaysdietitian/Modern Day Human Magnesium Requirements)

Adequate protein and phospholipids are also needed for cells to be able to store extra magnesium in an electrically inactive form and magnesium is needed for their synthesis. This might help explain why supplements of magnesium help some patients more than others. Someone who is more chronically ill or malnourished or who has impaired metabolism may need more complete nutrition support rather than only providing a magnesium supplement. Topical supplements of magnesium may be needed for patients with malabsorption problems or for those who don’t seem to be helped by increasing dietary sources.

Excess calcium in proportion to magnesium in the diet or from supplements may also be part of the problem for some patients. (44) The average modern diet can include calcium rich dairy products at each meal and snack. Tofu, beans, almonds, sesame seeds, and dark leafy green vegetables are also good sources of calcium.

Free Continuing Education credit for nutritionists/diet techs:

  • For any dietitians or diet techs, much of the first reference list is from a free continuing education webinar, register for this: Andrea Rosanoff, PhD, and Stella Lucia Volpe, PhD, RDN, ACSM-CEP, FACSM, Recorded Webinar: Modern Day Human Magnesium Requirements: The RDN’s Role, Today’s Dietitian https://ce.todaysdietitian.com/node/69241#group-tabs-node-course-default1  The second list is from the last post from the section about magnesium and hypercoaguability.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individualized health care guidance. Please see an individual health care provider for individual health care services.

References

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  16. Dorup I, Skajaa K, Thybo NK. Oral magnesium supplementation restores the concentrations of magnesium, potassium and sodium-potassium pumps in skeletal muscle of patients receiving diuretic treatment. J Intern Med. 1993;233(2):117-123. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8381850
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  19. Flatman PW, Lew VL. The magnesium dependence of sodium-pump-mediated sodiumpotassium and sodium-sodium exchange in intact human red cells. J Physiol. 1981;315:421-446. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1249391/
  20. Deng X, Song Y, Manson JE, et al. Magnesium, vitamin D status and mortality: results from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001 to 2006 and NHANES III. BMC Med. 2013;11:187. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3765911/
  21. Rosanoff A, Dai Q, Shapses SA. Essential nutrient interactions: does low or suboptimal magnesium status interact with vitamin D and/or calcium status? Adv Nutr. 2016;7(1):25-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4717874/
  22. Jill Jin, MD, MPH, Vitamin D and Calcium for Preventing Fractures, Guidelines, JAMA Patient Page, JAMA Network, April 17, 2018 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2678617
  23. Rosanoff A, Seelig MS. Comparison of mechanism and functional effects of magnesium and statin pharmaceuticals. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004;23(5):501S-505S. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15466951
  24. Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration  Efficacy and safety of statin therapy in older people: a meta-analysis of individual participant data from 28 randomised controlled trials., The Lancet, Vol 393, Issue 10170, pp407-415, Feb. 02, 2019, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31942-1/fulltext
  25. Deichmann R, Lavie C, Andrews S. Coenzyme q10 and statin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Ochsner J. 2010;10(1):16–21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096178/
  26. Pacanowski MA, Frye RF, Enogieru O, Schofield RS, Zineh I. Plasma Coenzyme Q10 Predicts Lipid-lowering Response to High-Dose Atorvastatin. J Clin Lipidol. 2008;2(4):289–297. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2008.05.001 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2598393/
  27. Mitochondrial Diseases, ClevelandClinic.org, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15612-mitochondrial-diseases
  28. Tinnitus and Magnesium, tinnitus.org, https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-and-magnesium
  29. Joseph Mercola, MD, Can Magnesium Relieve Your Tinnitus?, Prohealth.com, https://www.prohealth.com/library/can-magnesium-relieve-your-tinnitus-47779
  30. Cevette MJ, Barrs DM, Patel A, et al., Phase 2 study examining magnesium-dependent tinnitus., Int Tinnitus J. 2011;16(2):168-73. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22249877
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  32. Altura BM, Altura BT. Role of magnesium ions in contractility of blood vessels and skeletal muscles. Magnesium Bull. 1981;3(1a):102-114. http://www.magnesium-ges.de/jdownloads/Literatur/Altura/altura_1981_role_of_magnesium_ions_in_contractility_of_blood_vessels_and_skeletal_muscles_444.pdf
  33. Konishi M. Cytoplasmic free concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in skeletal muscle fibers at rest and during contraction. Jpn J Physiol. 1998;48(6):421-438. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10021496
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  35. Yang ZW, Gebrewold A, Nowakowski M, Altura BT, Altura BM. Mg(2+)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels and blood pressure lowering: role of NO. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2000;278(3):R628-R639. https://www.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.2000.278.3.R628
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  38. Seelig MS, Rosanoff A. The Magnesium Factor. 1st ed. New York, NY: Avery Penguin Group; 2003:278-279; 369-370 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/the-magnesium-factor-mildred-seelig/
  39. Resnick L. The cellular ionic basis of hypertension and allied clinical conditions. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 1999;42(1):1-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10505490
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  41. Rosanoff A. Nutritional magnesium is associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, and other NCDs: a bibliography. Magnesium Education website. http://www.magnesiumeducation.com/the-mg-hypothesis-of-cardiovascular-disease-abibliography
  42. Rosanoff A, Weaver CM, Rude RK. Suboptimal magnesium status in the United States: are the health consequences underestimated? Nutr Rev. 2012;70(3):153-164. https://www.mgwater.com/articles/Rosanoff/(09)%20Suboptimal%20Magnesium%20Status%20in%20the%20United%20States.pdf
  43. Rosanoff A, Capron E, Barak P, Mathews B, Nielsen FH. Edible plant tissue and soil calcium:magnesium ratios: data too sparse to assess implications for human health. Crop Pasture Sci. 2015;66:1265-1277. http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US201600101821
  44. Rosanoff A. Rising Ca:Mg intake ratio from food in USA Adults: a concern? Magnesium Res. 2010;23(4):S181-S193. https://www.mgwater.com/Ca-Mg.pdf
  45. Karakelleoglu C, Orbak Z, Ozturk F, Kosan C. Hypomagnesaemia as a mortality risk factor in protein-energy malnutrition. J Health Popul Nutr. 2011;29(2):181–182. doi:10.3329/jhpn.v29i2.7863 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3126992/
  46. Florence Dunkel, Learning from Sanambele: Role of Food Insects in Village Nutritional Health, Montana State University-Bozeman (a Power Point presentation) http://www.montana.edu/mali/documents/pptsaspdfs/worldHungerDunkelSanambelepresentationsmallpdfvsn.pdf
  47. Sorghum and Millets in Human Nature, fao.org, http://www.fao.org/3/T0818E/T0818E0d.htm
  48. The Contribution of Insects to Food Security, Livelihoods and the Environment, fao.org, http://www.fao.org/3/i3264e/i3264e00.pdf
  49. Beatrice Amadi, Andrew O Fagbemi, Paul Kelly, et al., Reduced production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans occurs in Zambian children with kwashiorkor but not marasmus., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 89, Issue 2, Feb 2009, pp 592–600 https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/89/2/592/4596718
  50. Arnold van Huis, Joost Van Itterbeeck, Harmke Klunder, et al., Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 2013, FAO.org, http://edepot.wur.nl/258042
  51. Joan L.Caddell, MD., Magnesium in the therapy of protein-caloriemalnutrition of childhood., The Journal of Pediatrics, Vol 66, Issue 2, Feb 1965, pp 392-413, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022347665801974

Article in the lower right hand column of the Science Direct topic page on Albumin Antibody: – it has a thorough description and graphic (Figure 1) about the blood brain barrier and seizures.

  1. N. Marchi, … D. Janigro, in Encyclopedia of Basic Epilepsy Research, 2009, Inflammation: Cerebrovascular Diseases, Seizures, and Epilepsy Seizures; Epilepsy, and the Blood–Brain Barrier, “Systemic pathologies causing BBB failure may be due to hypertension, stroke, blood hyperosmolarity, or systemically mediated inflammatory processes (due to the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, histamine, arachidonic acid, or reactive oxygen species)”

References from the last post on hypercoaguability and the NF-kB inflammatory pathway.

  1. DiNicolantonio JJ, Liu J, O’Keefe JH. Magnesium for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Open Heart. 2018;5(2):e000775. Published 2018 Jul 1. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2018-000775 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6045762/
  2. Andrea Rosanoff, PhD, and Stella Lucia Volpe, PhD, RDN, ACSM-CEP, FACSM, Recorded Webinar: Modern Day Human Magnesium Requirements: The RDN’s Role, Today’s Dietitian, https://ce.todaysdietitian.com/node/69241#group-tabs-node-course-default1
  3. Karen Skene, Sarah K. Walsh, Oronne Okafor, Nadine Godsman, et al., Acute dietary zinc deficiency in rats exacerbates myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury through depletion of glutathione., British Journal of Nutrition, Vol 121, Issue 9 14 May 2019 , pp. 961-973, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/acute-dietary-zinc-deficiency-in-rats-exacerbates-myocardial-ischaemiareperfusion-injury-through-depletion-of-glutathione/15953E00DA3E69629F36F9F6FE5079A8
  4. Karl T. Weber,1,* William B. Weglicki,2 and Robert U. Simpson3 Macro- and micronutrient dyshomeostasis in the adverse structural remodelling of myocardium, Cardiovasc Res. 2009 Feb 15; 81(3): 500–508. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2639130/
  5. Li YC. Vitamin D: roles in renal and cardiovascular protection. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2012;21(1):72–79. doi:10.1097/MNH.0b013e32834de4ee https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3574163/
  6. Benjamin Senst; Prasanna Tadi; Hajira Basit; Arif Jan., Hypercoaguability, STATPearls, Last Update: April 29, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538251/
  7. Kennedy DO. B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy–A Review. Nutrients. 2016;8(2):68. Published 2016 Jan 28. doi:10.3390/nu8020068 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/

Why should we care about demyelination?

This post is a summary of two recent posts:

  • Good News/Bad News about Multiple sclerosis Research (7/26/2018) 
  • Demyelination, continued. (7/28/2018) 

Why Care about Demyelination? 

We need to care about demyelination as a society because it may be a factor underlying many conditions that have been occurring at increasing rates. The high cost of health care is not just due to the cost of individual medications or the price of hospitalization but is due to the additive cost of increased numbers of individuals needing care. Autism care alone is estimated to likely reach $500 billion by 2025 for care in the U.S. alone, (link), demyelination or disordered myelin formation is thought to be involved. Our food supply may provide calories but it may no longer be supporting health due to imbalance in some nutrients and lack of sufficient amounts of other nutrients – in addition to personal choices for some people leaning toward convenient and tasty foods that provide very few nutrients besides calories.

The other reason to care about demyelination as a society is because the early symptoms can occur for years without clear reasons and may disrupt relationships or the ability to hold a job – personality changes including anxiety and anger, paranoia and a short temper – problems with impulse control and the ability to follow through on planned actions or with communication and the ability to tell the truth instead of substituting other statements that may seem illogical and obviously far from the truth. Problems with impulse control and a tendency toward mood problems may also include an increased risk for suicide or self injury or violence towards others.

The medical research is complex and I haven’t seen all the loose threads together yet, so I will summarize my summary points in a more concise list here and am working on a more organized document elsewhere. This list combines my tips from the previous post with the work of the other summary article (22) — I was also given the link to another summary article which also has tips which I have not incorporated here. It provides an excellent overview about myelin production and function –selfhacked/myelin – what I and the authors of (22) and {selfhacked} have in common is that we all got sick and sought information about regaining our health for ourselves and are sharing the information in case it might help others.

My personal goal is to not become paralyzed (post: ALS & CBD receptors), number of clicks on a website is not something I pay attention to. The loose threads that I’ve woven together in this series of posts which are not included in the excellent selfhacked article are that a) many of the herbs or phytonutrients found helpful for myelin regeneration are Nrf2 promoting which is also important for myelin regeneration and/or reducing oxidative stress that may lead to more degeneration of myelin. b) Foods that are good for promoting Nrf2 often are also good sources of cannabinoids or phospholipids which can be protective. c) And preventing excessive cell death or excess intracellular calcium may decrease the excess production of cytokines by decreasing release of cannabinoids from cell membrane storage and their breakdown into arachidonic acid and eventual transformation into cytokines and other inflammatory chemicals.}: 

Strategies to help prevent the breakdown of myelin or help promote regeneration of myelin:

{In the past at different points in time, I personally have experienced and improved with supplementation or diet changes physical and mental symptoms of vitamin B1, B5, B6, folate and B12 deficiencies; iodine, magnesium, calcium and zinc deficiencies; vitamin/hormone D and calcium excess at a different stage of health;  cannabinoid/phospholipid deficiency; inadequate protein and general malnutrition due to the zinc deficiency which can greatly reduce appetite at one stage and due to severe bowel mal-absorption more recently; omega 3 fatty acid/omega 6 fatty acid imbalance; and also lack of sleep/melatonin and lack of oxygen/excess toxins in the air; health requires all of the nutrients and adequate oxygen, exercise, sleep and stress coping.}

  1. Vitamin B1, thiamin deficiency, chronic, severe – Wernicke’s encephalopathy may be more of a risk for severe alcoholics and people with anorexia – severe lack of appetite or the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. 
  2. Vitamin B12 deficiency – may be more of a risk for people with low stomach acidity, due to older age or chronic use of calcium type antacids; or due to genetic reasons limiting production of Intrinsic Factor; or due to a vegan diet without supplementation of vitamin B12 or inclusion of Nutritional yeast flakes in the diet. 
  3. Zinc deficiency (22) or copper  excess (link). 
  4. Adequate but not excessive lithium may increase myelin production. (22) 
  5. Adequate but not excessive iron intake is needed for production of myelin. 
  6. Magnesium deficiency or poor intestinal absorption of magnesium, or lack of adequate protein and phospholipids in the diet for the body to be able to store magnesium in the normal manner within the intracellular fluid. 
  7. Inadequate calcium or vitamin D can be a factor but excessive intake of either can also be a factor in cell breakdown and risk of demyelination. If taking vitamin D as a supplement the vitamin D3 form may be most bioactive and taking vitamin K2 with it may help with myelin production (22) and protect against osteoporosis. Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin K. 
  8. Adequate intake of cholesterol is needed as a building block for our own production of vitamin D and other steroid hormones and as a building block for myelin. (22) Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone precursor that may benefit some people when used as a supplement. It and other steroid hormones are involved in signaling increased production of myelin. Testosterone insufficiency may also negatively affect myelin production. (22) 
  9. Excessive intake of free glutamate or aspartate – excitatory amino acids that are commonly used as flavoring or sweetening agents in foods or may occur naturally in fermented foods or alcoholic beverages. 
  10. Adequate protein is needed to support a variety of body functions in addition to supporting magnesium levels. Uridine is a nucleotide base (part of DNA that is a combination of a type of sugar and an amino acid) that is also is involved in energy metabolism, fasting occasionally may increase our own production (more info). Insufficient amounts may negatively affect myelin production and use as a supplement may help some people. (22) 
  11. Insufficient calories to provide the body enough glucose to support mitochondrial health. They can use protein or fats for energy but it shifts the metabolism more towards oxidative stress. 
  12. Occasional fasting and/or a low carbohydrate diet may help promote autophagy due to increased use of ketones for energy (22) but may cause health problems due to excess oxidative stress or an increased burden of nitrogen waste removal for the kidneys when followed long term. 
  13. Lack of antioxidants due to lack of Nrf2 within the body to promote our own production of antioxidants internally; and/or lack of antioxidants within the diet, including vitamin C, (22), would decrease our ability to detoxify the reactive oxidative chemicals produced during normal metabolism or which are produced at increased rates when protein or fats are being used for energy instead of glucose. 
  14. Use of the herb ashwagandha or Gingko biloba (22) may help protect against oxidative stress and protect against demyelination by promoting Nrf2. (ashwagandha & Nrf2) (an overview of Nrf2 metabolism, its potential benefits for conditions such as Multiple sclerosis, and Gingko biloba and pomegranate are mentioned as promoters of Nrf2: nutricology/newsletter, see first article) (other Nrf2 promoting phytonutrients/foods and menu ideas: G10: Nrf2 Promoting Foods.) Flavonoids are one of the groups of phytonutrients that helps promote Nrf2; and also may help protect myelin production. (22) Medicinal mushrooms, including Hericium Erinaceus, Lion’s Mane Mushroom,(22), may also help protect myelin production and prevent breakdown by reducing oxidative stress (link) and promoting Nrf2. (link) 
  15. Having a healthy balance of omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids in the diet helps reduce risk of inflammation/oxidative stress and also helps us build healthy membranes which are necessary to control flow of minerals and other chemicals from the exterior to interior of cells and organelles such as the mitochondria. 
  16. Inadequate iodine for healthy thyroid hormone production, (22); may be a combined problem of excess presence of bromide, fluoride and perchlorate in the diet or environment. 
  17. Lack of oxygen due to poor air quality, or smoking, or health problems causing inadequate breathing function. Emotional or physical stress may also increase the need for oxygen or increase the tendency to hold our breath; Take ten deep breaths and think before you speak is good advice for any emotionally stressful situation because oxygen is needed to think rationally and we tend to hold our breath when we are upset. 
  18. Avoid extreme physical and emotional stress. 
  19. Avoid toxins. 
  20. Get adequate sleep at night, and a brief nap during the day may be beneficial for some people. Melatonin helps promote myelin production and inadequate sleep and having lights on at night can disrupt our production of melatonin. (22) 
  21. Adequate exercise (22) and stretching regularly helps move nutrients throughout the body and remove toxins in the lymphatic fluid for further detoxification and eventual removal from the body. 
  22. Wear a helmet for any activity that may cause head trauma and avoid sports which may cause frequent closed head trauma and especially when helmets are not used (sorry soccer, football, hockey, (link), and boxing fans). 
  23. Adequate phospholipid and other phosphonutrients or cannabinoids may be necessary to include from external sources if genetic differences or other health problems or age interferes with the body’s internal production capability. Dark cocoa products, cardamom powder, pomegranate and pumpkin seeds are a few legal dietary sources. 
  24. Use of ibuprofen and/or ginger (approximately 1/2 teaspoon per day) may help prevent breakdown of our body’s supply of cannabinoids, breakdown of which may then lead to increased breakdown of cells and may then lead to increased degeneration of myelin. 
  25. Lack of any B vitamins or genetic differences in the ability to remethylate folate and vitamin B12 may disrupt the ability of mitochondria to generate usable energy from glucose or proteins and fats, and may reduce production of myelin. (22) Inositol and choline may be particularly important for myelin production. They are considered to be in the B vitamin group but was discovered more recently than the numbered series of B vitamins. (22) 
  26. Low Level Laser Therapy – I am not familiar with this, see #10: (22), but I have read elsewhere that certain types of light can stimulate activity levels. (Haier) 
  27. Practice, practice, practice – new things. (22) Myelin is produced in response to learning [45] so remaining mentally stimulated with new experiences and learning new topics or techniques keeps signalling the body to produce myelin.  
  28. Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, (BDNF), the brain’s growth factor, may help increase production of myelin by increasing production of brain cells, which include oligodendrocytes. (22) Ways to promote BDNF (link, from within 22) fortunately overlap with the strategies for protecting against demyelination already mentioned above or included in the list of Nrf2 promoting foods. 
  29. Reducing exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) – energy leakage from laptops, smartphones, WiFi, televisions, and other strong sources of electicity may help protect against myelin degeneration. (22) 

References and more details for some of this information were included in the last two posts:  

  • Good News/Bad News about Multiple sclerosis Research (7/26/2018) 
  • Demyelination, continued. (7/28/2018) 

/Disclosure: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./  

Make every day Kidney Appreciation Day

In case you missed World Kidney Day (March 8) today is a good day to appreciate kidney health. The pair of kidneys or single kidney clean the body of daily acidic waste from metabolism and dietary sources and remove other excess minerals and toxins. Adequate water is essential for kidney health as dehydration can cause damage that may not be reversible.

The amount of water a person needs per day varies with the size of the person and the amount of heat, humidity and exercise they experience throughout their day. The eight cups per day for an average person is just an estimate based on typical conditions and average size. Dr. Batmanghelidj specialized in water needs for chronic illness or general health and his rough guideline for adults was to aim to drink ounces of water per day equal to half your body weight (in pounds), so a 150 pound adult might benefit from drinking 75 ounces of water per day ~ about 9 cups of water. The fluid content of herbal tea, juice, milk, or soup would be helping reach the goal, while a diuretic type fluid like coffee or caffeinated black or green teas, or alcoholic beverages would not. His book is older and the validity of some of his theories have been questioned but as a fairly easy to follow overview of the importance of water to health, it is helpful. (Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, pdf)

For more information on the chemistry of water see the collected work on the topic by Martin Chaplin (Water Structure Science), a review of inorganic, organic and biochemistry and physics will be helpful first –  I’ve only read a few sections and it is fascinating but slow going. The author explains with enough detail and graphs that even lacking the review of the college courses some of the information can be understood.

For more information on healthy diet for general health or aging and the prevention of chronic kidney or vascular disease see the recently published article about nutrition for health written by a nephrologist. A recent review of organic and biochemistry will be helpful but again some of the basic concepts can be picked up from the thorough description of the issues that may be causing chronic illness and chronic kidney disease.

The summary points – excess protein and sodium and acid producing foods is tasking on the kidneys and may increase risk of chronic illness while adequate to plentiful amounts of potassium rich vegetables and fruit is protective.

How much is considered excess protein?: “The average American consumes 1.2 gm protein/kg/day [23], exceeding the recommended intake (~0.8–1.0 gm/kg/day) for a healthy adult.” (1)

Math – the 150 pound average person is about 68 kilograms (kg) and is averaging an intake of 82 grams of protein per day (1.2 gm/kg/day) instead of the recommended range of 54.4-68 grams per day. For perspective to daily meals – 8 ounces of milk contains about 8 grams of protein, one ounce of meat or one egg or a half cup of beans, about 7 grams, one piece of bread, about 2-3 grams. (Protein content of foods, Today’s Dietitian)

Second only to anyone who doesn’t keep children in cages – nephrologists (kidney/renal health specialists) are my favorite people. The author of the article is saying with a lot of detail that prevention is the best medicine. Treat yourself to healthy habits and you may be lucky enough to never need to meet a nephrologist as a patient. Diets for kidney dialysis patients are extremely restrictive.

Mark your calendars – World Kidney Day 2019 is planned for March 14th. (World Kidney Day)

  • For more information about kidney disease and risk factors see “Who Lives, Who Dies with Kidney Disease,” by Mohammad Akmal and Vasandhara Raghaven, (2018), amazon.com. The book includes personal stories of a variety of patients, real, with some names and identifying details changed for anonymity, starting with some of the first patients diagnosed and treated with kidney dialysis or kidney transplants. The stories may inspire and may leave you reaching for a tissue for tears – they may leave you appreciating kidney health for you and your loved ones and the pioneers who have made treatment more possible. Kidney donors are also worthy of appreciation, today and everyday. The latter part of the book includes an overview of chronic and acute conditions that place patients more at risk for developing kidney disease, preventative care that may help and current medical treatments that are available.

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes. Thanks.

  1. Qi Qian, Dietary Influence on Body Fluid Acid-Base and Volume Balance: The Deleterious “Norm” Furthers and Cloaks Subclinical Pathophysiology, Nutrients 2018, 10(6), 778; Open Access, http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/6/778/htm  (1)
  2. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D., Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, Global Health Solutions, Inc.; Third Ed. (November 1, 2008), https://www.amazon.com/Your-Bodys-Many-Cries-Water/dp/0970245882/ (2), http://www.cci-coral-club.okis.ru/file/cci-coral-club/knigi/FereydoonBatmanghelidj_Your_Bodys_Many_Cries_for_Water_eng.pdf (pdf)
  3. Martin Chaplin, BSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC, Water Structure Science: a website concerned with the physical, chemical and biological properties of water., London South Bank University, (Water Structure Science)   http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/water_structure_science.html (3
  4. Protein Content of Foods, webinar pdf, Today’s Dietitian, (Protein content of foods, Today’s Dietitian)   http://www.todaysdietitian.com/pdf/webinars/ProteinContentofFoods.pdf (4)
  5. World Kidney Day 2019, cute-calendar.com, (World Kidney Dayhttps://www.cute-calendar.com/event/world-kidney-day/33701.html (5)

EMFs and Intracellular Calcium – Magnesium is nature’s calcium channel blocker

Electromagnetic fields, (EMFs) are the non-ionizing radiation that makes WiFi connections work and other devices like televisions and cellphones. The electronic details are beyond my field of experience and they are generally claimed to be harmless however research is being done on the health effects on people and other species. As more and more ‘hotspots’ become active and there is discussion of making entire regions WiFi spots the question of whether the radiation is truly harmless or not is important.

The research that has been performed suggests that the mode of action is on the ion channels in cell membranes called voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). The EMF radiation seems to activate ion channels and allows the interior of the cell to fill with calcium which then can proceed to activate membrane breakdown and other actions within the cell. Oxidative stress can involve an excess of calcium within the interior of the cell which leads to other free radical chemicals – electrically active chemicals which antioxidant nutrients can help deactivate. See: (1)

Oxidation is a normal part of cell function as it is how glucose sugar energy is freed for use. Too many oxidative free radical chemicals also called, reactive oxygen species (ROS), can overpower the natural antioxidant chemical pathways and lead to increased cell damage and even cell death. (2, 3, 4)

Ion channels refer to chemicals that contain atoms that have a positive or negative charge which can be used to provide energy for chemical reactions. Ions in nature generally are found in pairs with a balance of positive and negative charges so the grouping is fairly stable. Calcium and magnesium both have ionic forms with a chemical charge of +2, which means they are missing two electrons. Sodium and potassium have ionic forms with a chemical charge of +1 – they are missing one electron each.

An ion is an atom or chemical that has more protons than electrons and carries a positive charge or has more electrons than protons and carries a negative charge, while a free radical specifically has at least one unpaired electron in its outer electron shell/valence which makes it very reactive but does not necessarily mean an electron is missing nor suggest a negative charge. Depending on their chemistry they may be able to receive or donate another electron and are very reactive, very active chemically, as the outer shell prefers to be stable chemically. The presence of an unpaired electron makes the free radical chemically encouraging other chemicals to give up or receive the unpaired electron even if the other chemical is more chemically stable. (7) The electrons in an atom are arranged around the inner ball of positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons in layers of electrons (valences) which prefer to be in groups of 2, 6 or 8 electrons, so a free radical with an outer layer with one electron might want to donate it while one with an outer shell with seven electrons might want to receive an extra electron.  Element valences are slightly different than what might be expected looking at the Table of Elements – here is a chart of the typical ion or free radical charges: (6)

Oxygen can carry an electrically negative charge of -2, meaning it can accept two additional electrons in its outer valence. And hydrogen can accept or donate an electron, +1 or -1, (6) which chemically can result in our most important molecule for life – water, H2O, formed from two atoms of hydrogen sharing their unpaired outer electron with one atom of oxygen which wants an additional two electrons. The slight preference for different electric charges gives the molecule of water a slight polarity, the oxygen part of the water molecule has a slight negative charge on average while the hydrogen parts of the molecule have slight positive charges. (8) A more thorough description of the chemical structure of the water molecule and its electrical charge distribution with illustrations is available here: (12).

Why is this important? Because our bodies are made up of at least 70% water and electromagnetic radiation does have effects on water (9) so a basic understanding of the chemistry can help understand the more complex issues of why having region wide areas of WiFi might affect health of humans and other animals, plants and possibly even microbial life. There is evidence that microbes can modify nearby DNA of other species via EMFs generated by the microbial DNA when both sets of DNA are in a watery dilution. (10, [1602 from ref 9]) This may increase infection or risk of cross contamination of infectious substances. We don’t know what we don’t know. The research may simply confirm the need to be concerned about Electromagnectic fields on DNA. The negative effect of EMF exposure to DNA and an increase in DNA breakdown/fragmentation was mentioned in the first link. See: (1)

Research that looked for epigenetic effects on DNA that might be associated with leukemia or other cancerous changes found that Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Fields which have been labeled potentially carcinogenic as some association with leukemia has been noted, did not consistently lead to epigenetic changes in the study. Changes that did occur were more likely to be found when the genetic material, called chromatin, was in a more open and active form rather than when it was in the condensed, non-replicating form. (13) Pregnancy would be a time when DNA is expected to be more active and infancy and childhood are also times when growth and replication of cells is expected. Concerns and a review of available research about the risk of EMF radiation for adults and childhood development is discussed in a Special Section of the journal Childhood Development: (14)

Calcium channel blocker medications have been found to help reduce the effects of EMF radiation for individuals who seem to be more sensitive to ill effects from the form of radiation than the average person. See: (1)

Magnesium is nature’s calcium channel blocker so there may be an underlying deficiency of magnesium in the the people who are more sensitive to EMFs. A number of conditions can make the intestines absorb less magnesium and more calcium than average and the kidneys can be better at holding onto calcium and more likely to excrete magnesium than average. The food and water supply is not as rich in magnesium as it was during earlier centuries of human development. Magnesium deficiency as a risk factor in sensitivity to EMFs is discussed in the first link and it introduces a protective factor that can be increased with more variety of vegetables and other phytochemical rich foods in the diet – nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). See: (1)

Specific foods or phytochemicals mentioned to help increase Nrf2 include:

  • sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables, (such as broccoli and cauliflower);
  • foods high in phenolic antioxidants, (This is a large group including bright yellow and red fruits and vegetables, and deep purple produce. The group includes the subgroup flavonoids which include anthocyanins, flavonols, and it also includes the less familiar subgroup chalcones which are found in the commonly used fruits apples, pears and strawberries. The group also includes aldehydes which are found in vanilla and cinnamon, phenolic acids which include salicyclic acid, and tannins which are found in tea, coffee and wine. Baking cocoa and cherries, beans and whole grains are also mentioned, the summary point would be eat more fruits and vegetables; see: (11))
  • the long-chained omega-3 fats DHA and EPA, (salmon, tuna, sardines, krill oil, ground flax meal, walnuts, hemp seed kernels);
  • carotenoids (especially lycopene), (such as carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, and lycopene is in tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava); 
  • sulfur compounds from allum vegetables, (such as onions, garlic, shallots, green onions); 
  • isothiocyanates from the cabbage group and
  • terpenoid-rich foods. (Terpenes are found in real lemon and lime oil, rosemary, oregano, basil and other aromatic green herbs).
  • The Mediterranean and the traditional Okinawan Diets are also mentioned as being Nrf2 promoting diets. See: (1)

A 2012 article that discusses the science known at the time and reviews cellphone cases designed to redirect EMF radiation away from the user available at the times suggests some health evidence exists but that the information is not conclusive yet but that no study has been longer than ten years. Children have less dense bone structure and may be accumulating more life time exposure so limiting use of cellphones around children or their use by children may be playing it safer until more research is available. (5) Turning off cellphones when not needed can save battery time and would be turning off the WiFi when it is not needed. You can always check for messages when you turn it back on again. Using a hard wired computer at home or at least turning off the laptop at night is recommended along with other tips in the first link. See: (1)

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a service for locating a nutrition counselor near you at the website eatright.org: (eatright.org/find-an-expert)

  1. Joseph Mercola, The Harmful Effects of Electromagnetic Fields Explained, wakeup-world.com, Dec. 22, 2017, https://wakeup-world.com/2017/12/22/the-harmful-effects-of-electromagnetic-fields-explained/ (1)
  2. Chapter 1: Cell Injury, Cell Death,
    and Adaptations, sample, not final copy, Elsevier, pdf http://www.newagemedical.org/celldeath-injury-link2.pdf (2)
  3. Khalid Rahman, Studies on free radicals, antixidants, and co-factors., Clin Interv Aging. 2007 Jun; 2(2): 219–236., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684512/ (3)
  4. V. Lobo, A. Patil, A. Phatak, and N. Chandra, Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health, Pharmacogn Rev. 2010 Jul-Dec; 4(8): 118–126., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/ (4)

  5. Joseph Hanlon, Radiation-reducing phone cases: saviours or snake oil?, Aug. 13, 2012, https://www.cnet.com/news/radiation-reducing-phone-cases-saviours-or-snake-oil/ (5)

  6. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. “Valences of the Elements – Chemistry Table.” ThoughtCo, Mar. 7, 2017, thoughtco.com   https://www.thoughtco.com/valences-of-the-elements-chemistry-table-606458 (6)
  7. UCSB Science Line, What is the difference between ion and radical?, 04/01/2015, http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=4833 (7)
  8. Biochemistry, Chemistry Tutorial, The Chemistry of Water, biology.arizona.edu, http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/tutorials/chemistry/page3.html (8)
  9. Martin Chaplin, Water Structure and Science: Magnetic and electric effects on water, 2001, last update by Martin Chaplin on Nov. 3, 2017, lsbu.ac.uk http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/magnetic_electric_effects.html (9)
  10. [1602 from the above reference] L. Montagnier, J. Aïssa, S. Ferris, J.-L. Montagnier, C. Lavallée, Electromagnetic signals are produced by aqueous nanostructures derived from bacterial DNA sequences, Interdisciplinary Sciences: Computational Life Sciences, 1(2009) 81-90. L. Montagnier, J. Aissa, E. Del Giudice, C. Lavallee, A. Tedeschi and G. Vitiello, DNA waves and water, Journal of Physics.: Conference Series, 306 (2011) 012007, arXiv:1012.5166v1 (10)
  11. Maria de Lourdes Reis Giada, Chapter 4: Food Phenolic Compounds: Main Classes, Sources and Their Antioxidant Power, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology » “Oxidative Stress and Chronic Degenerative Diseases – A Role for Antioxidants”, book edited by José A. Morales-González, ISBN 978-953-51-1123-8, Published: May 22, 2013    https://www.intechopen.com/books/oxidative-stress-and-chronic-degenerative-diseases-a-role-for-antioxidants/food-phenolic-compounds-main-classes-sources-and-their-antioxidant-power (11)
  12. Martin Chaplin, Water Structure and Science: Water Molecule Structure,  2000, last updated by Martin Chaplin Oct. 15, 2017, lsbu.ac.uk, http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/water_molecule.html (12)
  13. Melissa Manser, Mohamad R. Abdul Sater, Christoph D. Schmid, Faiza Noreen, Manuel Murbach, Niels Kuster, David Schuermann, and Primo Schär,

    ELF-MF exposure affects the robustness of epigenetic programming during granulopoiesis, Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 43345.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5339735/ (13)

  14. Cindy Sage, Ernesto Burgio, Electromagnetic Fields, Pulsed Radiofrequency Radiation, and
    Epigenetics: How Wireless Technologies May Affect Childhood DevelopmentContemporary Mobile Technology and Child
    and Adolescent Development, edited by Zheng Yan and Lennart Hardell, A Special Section of Child Development, 2017, Pages 1–8, https://eliant.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/de/pdf/Sage_Burgio_Childhood_2017_Epigenetics.pdf (14)