Good news – magnesium protects against cancer.

The levels of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium were measured to assess whether they might have to do with protection from cancer. The level of vitamin D and magnesium was significantly associated with protection from cancer while calcium level was not. The mechanism of action is not included. (1)

The mechanism of action is likely to involve the control of apoptosis by the active hormone form of vitamin D, calcitriol, (3), and the role of magnesium in providing the energy for apoptosis. (2) White blood cells during times of normal function can identify damaged, old, pre-cancerous, cancerous, or infected or foreign cells and give an enzymatic blast of chemicals that kills the cell and engulfs it completely, before the killed cell can break down and spill its cellular contents into the surrounding area.

An influx of cell contents into the surrounding area would be toxic and potentially lead to more cells being damaged. The enzymatic blast of chemicals of apoptosis requires magnesium, (2), and signaling white blood cells to be in the mode of autophagy requires calcitriol. (3)

“In the context of cancer, calcitriol regulates the cell cycle, induces apoptosis, promotes cell differentiation and acts as anti-inflammatory factor within the tumor microenvironment.”

(Díaz-Muñoz et al., 2015) (3)

“In addition, the impact of Mg2+ on apoptosis initiation and execution in various cells has to be investigated in more detail.”

( Pilchova et al., 2017) (2)

Excessive amounts of vitamin D can be toxic and can be stored in fat tissue. Magnesium levels in the blood represent only one percent of the body’s total amount of magnesium which makes a blood test to check for deficiency not very helpful or accurate except in very severe deficiency – ideally we don’t want to reach severe deficiency. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include pain, anxiety, and muscle cramps.

To have adequate supplies of magnesium or vitamin D it is also important to have enough protein food in the diet as both nutrients are stored on transport protein or also ATP molecules in the case of magnesium. The transport protein or ATP molecule holds the vitamin D or magnesium in an inactive form. The body carefully controls how much active hormone D or electrically active ionic magnesium there is available within the cell fluid or in the blood stream.

  • More information about sources of magnesium in the diet or from topical sources (it can be absorbed by the skin through hair follicle pores), is available in this post: To have optimal Magnesium needs Protein and Phospholipids too.
  • More information about symptoms of magnesium deficiency and chronic conditions that may involve low levels of magnesium within cell fluid is available here: Magnesium – essential for eighty percent of our body’s chemistry..
  • More information about how many grams of protein might be needed for health is available in a post about kidney health – adequate water is protective and excessive amounts of protein eaten regularly may be harmful to kidney health over many years (i.e. three ounces of meat in a meal is a healthy amount, while regularly eating an 8-12 ounce steak may eventually be harmful for kidney health): Make every day Kidney Appreciation Day.
  • Vitamin D3 form may be a more bioactive form of the vitamin if taking a supplement than the vitamin D2 form. During spring through autumn months getting 15-30 minutes of midday sunshine with face and arms exposed to the sun can provide enough vitamin D from it being formed in the skin from cholesterol. Vitamin D is actually a seco-steroid and excessive levels of the hormone form can cause mood changes including anger or irritability.
  • It is available in fortified milk & milk substitutes, and in fortified yogurt or cheese, but not necessarily all yogurt or cheese, read the nutrient label. Cod liver oil and some types of fish can provide vitamin D. Egg yolk has a small amount and some types of mushrooms may have a small amount. (healthline.com)
  • The standard RDA amount taken daily (~ 600 IU depending on age and gender) may help the immune system protect against respiratory infection, while taking a mega-dose after an infection occurred did not seem to help with recovery from a respiratory infection. (Vit D Respiratory Infections/bmj.com)

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. It is not intended to provide individual guidance. Please seek a health care provider for individualized health care guidance.

Reference List

  1. Wesselink E, Kok DE, Bours MJL, et al. Vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, and their interaction in relation to colorectal cancer recurrence and all-cause mortality [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 19]. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;nqaa049. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa049 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32190892/?from_term=nutrition&from_filter=ds1.y_1&from_sort=date&from_size=50&from_pos=6
  2. Ivana Pilchova, Katarina Klacanova, Zuzana Tatarkova, et al., The Involvement of Mg2+ in Regulation of Cellular and Mitochondrial Functions. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Special Issue, Magnesium and Other Biometals in Oxidative Medicine and Redox Biology Vol 2017, 6797460, 8 pages, https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6797460 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2017/6797460/
  3. Díaz L, Díaz-Muñoz M, García-Gaytán AC, Méndez I. Mechanistic Effects of Calcitriol in Cancer Biology. Nutrients. 2015;7(6):5020–5050. Published 2015 Jun 19. doi:10.3390/nu7065020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488829/

Translational medicine – getting research to the patient.

We fundraise for research for cures to disease yet sadly it seems too long for patients living uncomfortably in the present. Seventeen years was an average found in one research study about how long it takes for medical research results to make it into the doctor office and to the patient. Much of the information about magnesium in the last post dates back as far as the 1960s and 70s, that is almost 60 years, not 17. Some discoveries were made by Mildred Seelig, a primary researcher in the role of magnesium in health , and coauthor of one of the books in the reference list (The Magnesium Factor, 38).

Health care choices and food policy regulations affect all age groups. Medicating symptoms instead of treating underlying nutrient deficiency or imbalance can be costly, ineffective, and possibly be allowing chronic degeneration to be occuring due to lack of the nutrient. Nutrient deficiency or imbalance might be due to dietary lack, metabolic differences, malabsorption, or increased needs due to illness or some other reason. Adults and children have been experiencing chronic illness at increased rates in the Unites States and other developed and developing nations.

In the U.S. 43% of children had a chronic health issue (from a list of 20 included in the study) – 32 million children. The number increases to 54.1% when “overweight, obesity, or being at risk for developmental delays are included.” The chronic conditions cause special health care needs for 19.2%, 14.2 million of the chilren. (ref)

While sadly Mildred Seelig passed away before she could see her work reach the majority of patients, young and old, her coauthor for The Magnesium Factor, Andrea Rosanoff, PhD , is still alive and working on the use of magnesium topically for healthcare purposes. Hopefully her work will reach the doctor’s office and the patient before another 17, or 60 years have passed.

Not only are many medications prescribed for symptoms of magnesium deficiency instead of educating on magnesium sources, there are many medications that may decrease magnesium levels. See “Drug Interctions” for individual details, the list includes positive or negative effects – increasing or decreasing efficiency of supplements of Magnesium glycinate -as a prescribed ‘drug’ ( drugbank.ca/drugs/Magnesiuum glycinate). Many of the anti-cholinergics mentioned in Table 1, (ref), are also on the list of drugs that cause drug interactions with magnesium glycinate – decreasing its effectiveness. Anti-cholinergics have been associated with increased risk of dementia, especially with greater use, or multiple use, (ref) , and with increased risk fr recurrent falls in postmenopausal women. (ref)

Anti-cholinergics may include drugs prescribed as:

  • antidepressants, (Amitriptyline),*
  • antipsychotics, (Olanzapine),*
  • for asthma, (antihistamine- Diphenhydramine),*
  • urinary bladder problems, (urinary antimuscarinic –Flavoxate),*
  • muscle spasms, (skeletal muscle relaxant – Orphenadrine),*
  • and other issues.
  • *Anticholinergic Medications from Table 1 (ref) that are also on the drug interaction list as drugs that may decrease the therapeutic efficacy of Magnesium glycinate if prescribed as a supplement/drug. (drugbank.ca/drugs/Magnesiuum glycinate)

Olanzapine also has a significant risk of causing Type 2 Diabetes and/or excessive weight gain with extended use and withdrawal symptoms may include severe increased anxiety and suicidal or homocidal urges. Type 2 Diabetes and anxiety can be symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency.

Health is worth the effort – pain is a symptom of a problem and a signal to figure out what to change to stop the pain – by improving the underlying problem. Sometimes change is age related and adjustments might need to include recognizing that metabolism has slowed, less calories is needed but protein becomes more important, and, recovery from illness, injury, or extended effort might take longer – so be more cautious about risk. Sometimes change is needed in the standard of care – to include preventative screening and education when health symptoms are still in early stages, before chronic degeneration or cancerous changes occur.

Translational medicine – 60 years is too long to wait for life-saving information to reach patients, 17 years is too long too.

Sadly it can even take more than a hundred years for research findings to benefit the consumer. The use of aluminum as an anti-caking agent in baking powder is still common in the U.S. food supply and it was strongly recommended to be removed from foods as an anti-caking agent or food preservative as long ago as 1911. (Gies, 1911, page 44, Ch.4, ref)

The U.S. consumer who includes processed convenience foods in their diet may be getting 100 milligrams of aluminum per day or more, with an average estimate between 2 and 25 milligrams. The provisional tolerable weekly intake for aluminum was lowered by the FAO/WHO Expert Committee in 2006 from 7 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (~490 mg/wk for a 70 kg/154 lb person) to 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight. The change was due to findings showing a potential risk to reproductive and nervous system development at lower doses than previously thought. (page 45, Ch.4, ref)

I love delicious and/or convenient food, however I love health more. I also like economical, effective healthcare solutions for myself, my family, and everyone else – because it is also better for the planet. When we use toxins in our food supply or food production those toxins are also getting into the environment and wildlife’s food and water supply. Teamwork – we humans are part of the food chain, not just at the top of it.

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.

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

  1. Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. Challenges in the diagnosis of magnesium status. Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1202. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163803/
  2. Gervin CA, Nichols WM, Chvapil M, Wangensteen SL. Zinc transport by the heart lymphatic system after acute myocardial infarction., J Surg Res. 1983 Oct;35(4):340-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6621029
  3. Niels Fogh-Andersen, Burton M. Altura, Bella T. Altura, and Ole Siggaard-Andersen, Composition of Interstitial Fluid, Clin. Chem. 41/10, 1522-1525 (1995) https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6955/f9bc101b8adff35b700906dcf77d683367f0.pdf
  4. Lymphatic Fluid and Immunotherapy, maxwellbioscinces.com, https://maxwellbiosciences.com/articles/uncategorized/lymphatic-fluid-immunotherapy
  5. Differences between blood and lymph, vedantu.com, https://www.vedantu.com/biology/difference-between-blood-and-lymph
  6. Storer AC, Cornish-Bowden A. Concentration of MgATP2- and other ions in solution. Calculation of the true concentrations of species present in mixtures of associating ions. Biochem J. 1976;159(1):1-5. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a85b/95b80f2c0fd41f8a39a7c7768887ee784522.pdf
  7. Garfinkel L, Garfinkel D. Magnesium regulation of the glycolytic pathway and the enzymes involved. Magnesium. 1985;4(2-3):60-72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2931560
  8. Wilson JE, Chin A. Chelation of divalent cations by ATP, studied by titration calorimetry. Analytical Biochem. 1991;193(1):16-19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1645933
  9. Volpe SL. Magnesium in disease prevention and overall health. Adv Nutr. 2013;4(3):378S383S. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3650510/
  10. Abdelgawad IA, El-Mously RH, Saber MM, Mansour OA, Shouman SA. Significance of serum levels of vitamin D and some related minerals in breast cancer patients. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015;8(4):4074-4082. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466982/
  11. Romani AM. Magnesium in health and disease. Met Ions Life Sci. 2013;13:49-79. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24470089
  12. Long S, Romani AM. Role of cellular magnesium in human diseases. Austin J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;2(10):1051. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4379450/
  13. Rubin H. Central roles of Mg2+ and MgATP2- in the regulation of protein synthesis and cell proliferation: significance for neoplastic transformation. Adv Cancer Res. 2005;93:1-58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15797443
  14. George GA, Heaton FW. Effect of magnesium deficiency on energy metabolism and protein synthesis by liver. Int J Biochem. 1978;9(6):421-425. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0020711X78900551
  15. Weisinger JR, Bellorin-Font E. Magnesium and phosphorus. Lancet. 1998;352(9125):391-396. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673697105359/fulltext
  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
  17. Fischer PW, Giroux A. Effects of dietary magnesium on sodium-potassium pump action in the heart of rats. J Nutr. 1987;117(12):2091-2095. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2826728
  18. Fagher B, Sjögren A, Monti M. A microcalorimetric study of the sodium-potassium-pump and thermogenesis in human skeletal muscle. Acta Physiol Scand. 1987;131(3):355-360. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2447746
  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/
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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/
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Epsom Salt Foot Soaks

*Why do I keep mentioning magnesium & Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)? Because many chronic physical and mental issues involve low intracellular levels of magnesium. Lab tests checking blood levels usually would miss the problem because the level in the blood is very low compared to the level in the cell fluid. Magnesium is needed to provide power within membranes to control flow of chemically active ions like calcium and sodium which are found in a larger amount in the blood and less inside of the cells. Too much calcium within cells can cause over-activity of the cell to the point of cell death.

Magnesium supplements as a therapy can be helpful but the research is mixed, it may not be absorbed well by enough of the subjects in research studies to suggest that it isn’t helpful on average – people are individuals though, not group averages. Epsom salt, crystals of magnesium sulfate, is a well absorbed form when used dissolved in water, too much can be harmful as magnesium can slow the heart-rate if levels within the blood stream become elevated. Safe use of Epsom salt baths, foot-soaks, or even dampened compresses held on sore muscles can be inexpensive and effective.

We need more health care that is inexpensive and effective. The planet needs healthy people and less medical waste. Treatment of illness can be costly in time and supplies for the patients and the healthcare team. Preventing worsening of chronic illness or symptoms mental illness improves quality of life for patients, saves time and money and supplies, and reduces the caseload of an overburdened healthcare system. Frequently there is a problem with accessing healthcare specialists or mental health care services, even if payment isn’t a problem.

Epsom salt foot-soaks – might be simpler than a full bath.

Previously I’ve shared an idea about a need for less expensive bathing facilities in urban areas, Public bathing facilities was an option in Rome. Apartments may have only a shower or there might be more tenants sharing space than is feasible to allow enough time for everyone to take turns in one or two bathrooms. The medicinal value of Epsom salt baths may also be difficult for those most in need to be able to enjoy as mobility might be limited. An easily transportable footsoak basin could be brought to a wheelchair or other seating arrangements.

Currently on the market there are various footsoak/pedicure chairs available for the spa market, prices range from $700 to over $2000. Portable heating and bubbling individual foot spa basins are available for home use that range from $40 to over $100. The disadvantages are size, they appear to be fairly small, meant to just cover the foot and the complexity of the shaped basin would make them difficult to clean. Smaller basins would also be easier to spill and difficult to transport from a sink area to a seating area. (example individual foot spa)

Residential facilities with many people who might benefit from the medicinal value of an Epsom salt bath or footsoak would have utility closets designed for easy use of wheeled mop buckets. A utility sink is equipped with a hose for filling buckets and a low rimmed drainage area is built into the floor for easy emptying and cleaning of the buckets. Some wheeled mop buckets have removable wringers to make the whole device easier to clean and may have different colors available to help identify which area the bucket is intended for use. (example color coded mop buckets) If the idea was found effective I imagine a company would be happy to make a product with a different logo on the side of the buckets and sell them without the wringer attachment. The wheeled buckets have handles on the side as well as the top to make emptying them easier.

Simple solutions are most practical for busy workers. In a residential facility diabetic foot care is a regular need to help prevent small sores from going unnoticed by a patient with numbness/neuropathy and then becoming large sores. Gangrenous infections in small sores are a common cause of amputations being needed for diabetic patients. Magnesium and sulfate from the Epsom salt both have healing value for diabetic patients and people with other types of inflammatory illness. Swollen feet may be improved by regular use of topical magnesium treatments.

Ease of use for workers is important as hauling buckets or basins of water around a facility is strenuous and potentially messy and dangerous. A wheeled bucket could be easily moved, used, emptied and sanitized between uses. After a footsoak it would be easy to inspect a patient’s feet for small sores, provide any toenail maintenance that is needed and possibly give a therapeutic massage.

“It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and then do your best.” – W. Edwards Deming

Knowing that Epsom salt baths can be extremely healing is knowledge – proving that it could be feasible to help many people in a budget friendly way is the next step. Patient care requires safety and effectiveness in order to provide a service ethically that will do no harm and which can still fit within a facility’s budget. A study that tracked groups of patients over time could look at direct symptom relief type of criteria and look at overall health statistics – were there fewer health concerns or falls or mood problems in the group receiving weekly, biweekly, or monthly Epsom salt foot-soaks in comparison to the control group who continued to receive standard care? Or a study design might compare the health parameters of the same group of patients over six months without the Epsom salt foot-soaks and then six months during which foot-soaks were provided.

A review of what little scientific research is available regarding topical magnesium concludes that magnesium containing creams have not shown good absorption. Epsom salt soaks do lead to increases in plasma magnesium levels and urinary excretion of magnesium suggesting that the magnesium sulfate salt water solution does get absorbed through the skin, more likely through hair follicles (4) and sweat glands than the full surface of the skin. (1, 2) Absorption through mucous membranes is also likely, so a full bath would probably provide more absorption in less time than a foot and lower leg soak. More research is needed however and preferably with study subjects who have a chronic conditions that suggests they are magnesium deficient because excess magnesium is not needed and can be dangerous. People who are less deficient in the nutrient might not need as long of a soak time before achieving some symptom relief (may be helpful for muscle cramps, headache, anxiety, psoriasis).

Staying overly long in an Epsom salt bath or foot soak could cause relaxing of smooth muscles which can cause watery diarrhea for the next day (like a stomach flu, all day problem), and more severe can cause slowing of the heart rate, bradycardia, — the point being that Epsom salt soaks are medicinal, not just for relaxing or a spa beauty treatment. When more deficient you might stay in longer before noticing more relaxing of muscles or change in heart rate and as weeks of regular soaks continue you may notice that a shorter soak is now adequate. Foot soaks would be less likely to cause excess absorption that can cause diarrhea/slower heart rate, while falling asleep in a bathtub with Epsom salt might. Ten to twenty minutes is a typical recommendation.

A typical bath is about one cup of Epsom salt to a half bathtub of water, soak for twenty minutes, 1-3 times per week. I get muscle cramps and more anxiety when I take one per week instead of two and at a more severe level of colitis like symptoms I needed three per week, and marked it on a calendar so I wouldn’t forget. Substituting a foot-soak, I probably used a half cup of Epsom salt to a large bucket size plastic bin (rather than a short basin) and left my feet and lower legs in the water for about forty minutes, until the water was cool – I was working on a computer while soaking. Chronic illness is unpleasant, improved quality of life is more pleasant.

*This will likely get some revisions/additional links. It is a continuation of the last post on TRP Channels & magnesium. Food and supplement sources of magnesium and the additional need for protein and phospholipids as carriers for intracellular supplies of magnesium is available in a previous post: To have optimal Magnesium needs Protein and Phospholipids too.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. It is not intended to provide individualized health care guidance, please seek an individual health care professional for individualized health care purposes.

  1. Gröber U, Werner T, Vormann J, Kisters K. Myth or Reality-Transdermal Magnesium?. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):813. Published 2017 Jul 28. doi:10.3390/nu9080813 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579607/
  2. reference 13 from (1):
    Epsom Salt Council. [(accessed on 1 October 2015)]; Available online: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf.
  3. various links about magnesium and PTSD or other mood or brain trauma issues https://www.google.com/search?q=PTSD+brain+changes+calcium+magnesium+imbalance&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS600US600&oq=PTSD+brain+changes+calcium+magnesium+imbalance&aqs=chrome..69i57.13101j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
  4. Chandrasekaran NC, Sanchez WY, Mohammed YH, et al., Permeation of topically applied Magnesium ions through human skin is facilitated by hair follicles., Magnes Res. 2016 Jun 1;29(2):35-42.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27624531 (4)