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MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE
for Health & Rejuvenation
by Walter Last
Magnesium is nothing short of a miracle mineral in its healing effect on a wide
range of diseases as well as in its ability to rejuvenate the aging body. We
know that it is essential for many enzyme reactions, especially in regard to
cellular energy production, for the health of the brain and nervous system and
also for healthy teeth and bones. However, it may come as a surprise that in the
form of magnesium chloride it is also an impressive infection fighter.
The first prominent researcher to investigate and promote the antibiotic effects
of magnesium was a French surgeon, Prof. Pierre Delbet MD. In 1915 he was
looking for a solution to cleanse wounds of soldiers, because he found that
traditionally used antiseptics actually damaged tissues and encouraged
infections instead of preventing them. In all his tests magnesium chloride
solution was by far the best. Not only was it harmless for tissues, but it also
greatly increased leucocyte activity and phagocytosis, the destruction of
microbes.
Later Prof. Delbet also performed experiments with the internal applications of
magnesium chloride and found it to be a powerful immune-stimulant. In his
experiments phagocytosis increased by up to 333%. This means after magnesium
chloride intake the same number of white blood cells destroyed up to three times
more microbes than beforehand.
Gradually Prof. Delbet found magnesium chloride to be beneficial in a wide range
of diseases. These included diseases of the digestive tract such as colitis and
gall bladder problems, Parkinson's disease, tremors and muscle cramps; acne,
eczema, psoriasis, warts and itching skin; impotence, prostatic hypertrophy,
cerebral and circulatory problems; asthma, hay fever, urticaria and anaphylactic
reactions. Hair and nails became stronger and healthier and patients had more
energy.
Prof. Delbet also found a very good preventative effect on cancer and cured
precancerous conditions such as leukoplasia, hyperkeratosis and chronic
mastitis. Epidemiological studies confirmed that regions with magnesium-rich
soil had less cancer than those with low magnesium levels.
Another French doctor, A. Neveu, cured several diphtheria patients with
magnesium chloride within two days. He also published 15 cases of poliomyelitis
that were cured within days if treatment was started immediately, or within
months if paralysis had already progressed. Neveu also found magnesium chloride
effective with asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema; pharyngitis,
tonsillitis, hoarseness, common cold, influenza, whooping cough, measles,
rubella, mumps, scarlet fever; poisoning, gastro-enteritis, boils, abscesses,
whitlow, infected wounds and osteomyelitis.
In more recent years Dr Vergini and others have confirmed these earlier results
and have added more diseases to the list of successful uses: acute asthma
attacks, shock, tetanus, herpes zoster, acute and chronic conjunctivitis, optic
neuritis, rheumatic diseases, many allergic diseases, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
and beneficial effects in cancer therapy. In all of these cases magnesium
chloride had been used and gave much better results than other magnesium
compounds.
Magnesium for Nerves
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system. With this, it is
frequently used to promote good sleep. But more importantly, it can be used to
calm irritated and over-excited nerves. This is especially useful with epileptic
seizures, convulsions in pregnant women and the 'shakes' in alcoholism.
Magnesium levels are generally low in alcoholics, contributing or causing many
of their health problems. If magnesium levels are low, the nerves lose control
over muscle activity, respiration and mental processes. Nervous fatigue, tics
and twitches, tremors, irritability, hypersensitivity, muscle spasms,
restlessness, anxiety, confusion, disorientation and irregular heartbeat all
respond to increased magnesium levels. A common phenomenon of magnesium
deficiency is a sharp muscle reaction to an unexpected loud noise. 'Memory
pills' have been marketed that consist mainly of magnesium.
Many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be overcome with high magnesium
supplementation, shaking can be prevented and rigidity eased. With preeclampsia
pregnant women may develop convulsions, nausea, dizziness and headaches. In
hospitals this is treated with magnesium infusions. Because of its strong
relaxing effect, magnesium helps not only to have a better sleep but is also
useful in overcoming headaches and migraines. Even the number of suicides are
linked to magnesium deficiency. The lower the magnesium content in soil and
water in a given region, the higher are the rates of suicides.
Epilepsy is marked by abnormally low magnesium levels in the blood, spinal fluid
and brain, causing hyperexcitability in regions of the brain. There are many
reported causes of epilepsy greatly improving or disappearing with magnesium
supplementation. In a trial with 30 epileptics 450 mg of magnesium supplied
daily successfully controlled seizures. Another study found that the lower the
magnesium blood levels the more severe was the epilepsy. In most cases magnesium
works best in combination with vitamin B6 and zinc. In sufficient
concentrations, magnesium inhibits convulsions by limiting or slowing the spread
of the electric discharge from an isolated group of brain cells to the rest of
the brain. Animal studies show that even the initial burst of firing nerve cells
that starts an epileptic attack can be suppressed with magnesium.
Magnesium for the Heart
Adequate levels of magnesium are essential for the heart muscle. Those who die
from heart attacks have very low magnesium but high calcium levels in their
heart muscles. Patients with coronary heart disease who have been treated with
large amounts of magnesium survived better than those with drug treatment.
Magnesium dilates the arteries of the heart and lowers cholesterol and fat
levels.
High calcium levels, on the other hand, constrict the heart arteries and
increase the risk of heart attacks. Calcium deposits in the walls of the
arteries contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis. The arteries become
hard and rigid, thereby restricting the blood flow and causing high blood
pressure. In addition, such inelastic blood vessels may easily rapture and cause
strokes. Countries with the highest calcium to magnesium ratios (high calcium
and low magnesium levels) in soil and water have the highest incidence of
cardiovascular disease. At the top of the list is Australia.
Worldwide the intake of magnesium has been lowered and that of calcium increased
because of the heavy use of fertilisers high in calcium and low in magnesium.
With this, the intake of magnesium from our food has steadily declined in the
last fifty years, while the use of calcium-rich fertilisers and cardiovascular
disease have greatly increased at the same time.
Diabetics are prone to atherosclerosis, fatty degeneration of the liver and
heart disease. Diabetics have low magnesium tissue levels. They often develop
eye problems - retinopathy. Diabetics with the lowest magnesium levels had the
most severe retinopathy. The lower the magnesium content of their water, the
higher is the death rate of diabetics from cardiovascular disease. In an
American study the death rate due to diabetes was four times higher in areas
with low magnesium water levels as compared to areas with high levels of
magnesium in the water.
Magnesium for Healthy Bones & Teeth
Medical authorities claim that the widespread incidence of osteoporosis and
tooth decay in western countries can be prevented with a high calcium intake.
However, published evidence reveals that the opposite is true. Asian and African
populations with a very low intake of about 300 mg of calcium daily have very
little osteoporosis. Bantu women with an intake of 200 to 300 mg of calcium
daily have the lowest incidence of osteoporosis in the world. In western
countries with a high intake of dairy products the average calcium intake is
about 1000 mg. The higher the calcium intake, especially in the form of cows'
milk products (except butter) the higher the incidence of osteoporosis.
Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels are kept in a seesaw balance by the
parathyroid hormones. If calcium goes up, magnesium goes down and vice versa.
With a low magnesium intake, calcium goes out of the bones to increase tissue
levels, while a high magnesium intake causes calcium to go out of the tissues
into the bones. A high phosphorus intake without a high calcium or magnesium
intake causes calcium to leach from the bones and leave the body with the urine.
A high phosphorus intake with high calcium and magnesium leads to bone
mineralisation.
Dr Barnett, an orthopaedic surgeon practised in two different U.S. Counties with
very different soil and water mineral levels. In Dallas County with a high
calcium and low magnesium concentration osteoporosis and hip fractures were very
common, while in Hereford with high magnesium and low calcium these were nearly
absent. In Dallas County the magnesium content of bones was 0.5% while in
Hereford it was 1.76%. In another comparison the magnesium content in bones of
osteoporosis sufferers was 0.62% while in healthy individuals it was 1.26%.
The same applies for healthy teeth. In a New Zealand study it was found that
caries-resistant teeth had on average twice the amount of magnesium as
caries-prone teeth. The average concentration of magnesium phosphate in bones is
given as about 1%, in teeth about 1.5%, in elephant tusks 2% and in the teeth of
carnivorous animals made to crush bones it is 5%. In regard to the strength of
bones and teeth think of calcium as chalk and of magnesium as superglue. The
magnesium superglue binds and transforms the chalk into superior bones and
teeth.
Cancer and Aging
Many studies have shown an increased cancer rate in regions with low magnesium
levels in soil and drinking water. In Egypt the cancer rate was only about 10%
of that in Europe and America. In the rural fellah it was practically
non-existent. The main difference was an extremely high magnesium intake of 2.5
to 3 g in these cancer-free populations, ten times more than in most western
countries.
Dr Seeger and Dr Budwig in Germany have shown that cancer is mainly the result
of a faulty energy metabolism in the powerhouses of the cells, the mitochondria.
A similar decline in energy production takes place when we age. The great
majority of enzymes involved in the production of energy require magnesium. A
healthy cell has high magnesium and low calcium levels. Up to 30% of the energy
of cells is used to pump calcium out of the cells. The higher the calcium level
and the lower the magnesium level in the extra-cellular fluid, the harder is it
for cells to pump the calcium out. The result is that with low magnesium levels
the mitochondria gradually calcify and energy production decreases. We may say
that our biochemical age is determined by the ratio of magnesium to calcium
within our cells. Test with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome showed that magnesium
supplementation resulted in better energy levels.
We use our muscles by selectively contracting them. On the biochemical level
muscle contraction is triggered by calcium ions flowing into muscle cells. To
relax the muscle calcium is pumped out again. However, as we age, more and more
calcium remains trapped in the muscles and these become more or less permanently
contracted, leading to increasing muscle tension and spasms. Together with
calcification of the joints, this is the typical rigidity and inflexibility of
old age. The higher our intake of calcium relative to magnesium, the faster do
we calcify and age. Most of the excess calcium in our diet ends up in our soft
tissues and around joints leading to calcification with arthritic deformations,
arteriosclerosis, cataracts, kidney stones and senility. Dr Seyle proved
experimentally that biochemical stress can lead to the pathological
calcification of almost any organ. The more stress, the more calcification, the
more rapid the aging.
The Rejuvenation Mineral
In addition to its anti-microbial and immune-stimulating properties, both
magnesium as well as chloride have other important functions in keeping us young
and healthy. Chloride, of course, is required to produce a large quantity of
gastric acid each day and is also needed to stimulate starch-digesting enzymes.
Magnesium is the mineral of rejuvenation and prevents the calcification of our
organs and tissues that is characteristic of the old-age related degeneration of
our body.
Using other magnesium salts is less advantageous because these have to be
converted into chlorides in the body anyway. We may use magnesium as oxide or
carbonate but then we need to produce additional hydrochloric acid to absorb
them. Many aging individuals, especially with chronic diseases who desperately
need more magnesium cannot produce sufficient hydrochloric acid and then cannot
absorb the oxide or carbonate. Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate. It is soluble
but not well absorbed and acts mainly as a laxative. Chelated magnesium is well
absorbed but much more expensive and lacks the beneficial contribution of the
chloride ions. Orotates are good but very expensive for the amount of magnesium
that they provide and both orotates and chelates seem to lack the
infection-fighting potential of the magnesium chloride.
Calcium and magnesium are opposites in their effects on our body structure. As a
general rule, the softer our body structure the more we need calcium, while the
more rigid and inflexible it is, the less calcium and the more magnesium we
need. Magnesium can reverse the age-related degenerative calcification of our
body structure and with this help us to rejuvenate.
Young women, children and most of all babies have soft body structures and
smooth skin with low calcium and high magnesium levels in their cells and soft
tissues. This is the biochemistry of youth. As we age and most pronounced in old
men and post-menopausal women, we become more and more inflexible. The arteries
harden to cause arteriosclerosis, the skeletal system calcifies to cause
rigidity with fusion of the spine and joints, kidneys and other organs and
glands increasingly calcify and harden with stone formation, calcification in
the eyes causes cataracts and even the skin hardens, becoming tough and
wrinkled. In this way calcium is in the same league as oxygen and free radicals,
while magnesium works together with hydrogen and the antioxidants to keep our
body structure soft.
A gynaecologist reported that one of the first organs to calcify are the
ovaries, leading to pre-menstrual tension. When he put his patients on a high
magnesium intake their PMT vanished and they felt and looked much younger. Most
of these women said that they lost weight, increased their energy, felt less
depressed and enjoyed sex again much more than before. For men it is equally
beneficial for problems arising from an enlarged prostate gland. Symptoms
commonly disappear after a period of supplementation with magnesium chloride.
Increased magnesium intake has also been shown to be an effective way to prevent
or dissolve kidney stones and gall bladder stones, the latter best in
combination with a high lecithin intake. Activation of digestive enzymes and
bile production as well as helping to restore a healthy intestinal flora may be
the factors that make magnesium chloride so beneficial in normalising our
digestive processes, reducing any digestive discomfort, bloating and offensive
stool odours. This is in line with a reduction of all offensive body odours,
including underarm and foot odour.
Prof. Delbet used to give magnesium chloride solution routinely to his patients
with infections and for several days before any planned surgery and was
surprised by many of these patients experiencing euphoria and bursts of energy.
Magnesium chloride supposedly has a specific action on the tetanus virus and its
effects on the body. It even seems to be protective against snakebites. Guinea
pigs did not die after normally lethal injections of snake venom and a rabbit
survived a poisonous snakebite when given magnesium chloride solution.
In addition to being the most essential mineral in our cellular energy
production, magnesium is also needed for the ingested B-vitamins to become
metabolically active. Magnesium is also essential for the synthesis of nucleic
acids, for cell division to occur, for DNA and RNA synthesis of our genetic
material, for protein as well as fatty acid synthesis. Unfortunately magnesium
deficiency at a cellular level where it counts is not easy to diagnose, as serum
magnesium levels do not correlate to muscle or cellular magnesium levels.
Instead of trying difficult tissue magnesium analysis to find out if your health
problems may be due to low magnesium levels, it is much easier and more
effective just to take more magnesium and see what happens.
Rejuvenation by ingesting more magnesium is a slow process, especially as the
amount of magnesium that we can take is limited by its laxative effect and the
need to keep it in a reasonable balance with the calcium and phosphorus intake.
The other problem is that spastic muscles have a poor blood and lymph
circulation, which makes it difficult for the ingested magnesium to dissolve and
flush out the tissue and joint calcifications. Therefore, we can greatly speed
up the rejuvenation process by increasing the circulation through permanently
contracted muscles as with deep tissue massage, hot and cold water applications,
relaxation exercises, lymphasising as well as packs and rubs with magnesium
chloride or Epsom salts.
How much?
Hydrated magnesium chloride contains about 120 mg of magnesium per gram or 600
mg per rounded teaspoon. It has a mild laxative effect. As a good maintenance
intake to remain healthy you may take a teaspoon daily in divided doses with
meals, best use it instead of table salt, it has a somewhat salty taste. With
raised blood pressure and symptoms of magnesium deficiency you may temporarily
increase this to 2 teaspoons daily in divided doses. This may already cause
'loose stools' in some but that is generally beneficial. However, with low blood
pressure additional calcium may be required together with about 300 mg of
magnesium supplement for a ratio of two parts of calcium to one part of
magnesium.
Individuals with very sensitive taste buds may start using it in tiny amounts
mixed with strongly flavoured food and increase doses very gradually.
Alternatively, drink it in one gulp dissolved in water while pinching your nose
and quickly drink something pleasant afterwards.
With acute infections dissolve 40 g or 8 slightly rounded teaspoons in 1 litre
of water. With children commonly a small glassful or 125 ml has been used every
6 hours. Adults may double this dose by drinking this amount every 3 hours or
even more until diarrhoea develops and then cut back to a maintenance intake
just below the level of diarrhoea until the infection has cleared.
For daily use it may be more convenient as well to dissolve the magnesium
chloride in water. You may dissolve 10 lightly rounded teaspoons of the crystals
in a medium size glass of water or, more accurately, 50g in 150 ml of water.
Decant and discard any undissolved residue. Mix one teaspoon of this solution
three times daily with food or drink for a daily intake of about 600 mg of
magnesium. This or a more concentrated solution may also be used as a pack over
tumours and infected, inflamed, painful, stiff or calcified joints, muscles,
adhesions or scar tissue. It is also excellent as a back rub and to relax tense
muscles anywhere and even to rejuvenate ageing skin. For sensitive skin use it
in a very diluted form. On wounds it was commonly used in a 4% solution, that is
4 g or a level teaspoon in 100 ml or a small glass of water.
For quickest results with insensitive skin use a friction massage: rub hard
enough so that the skin becomes hot and red. After doing this for several days a
rash may develop over the area and the skin becomes very sensitive. When this
happens moisten the skin only lightly with a much diluted magnesium chloride
solution or soothe it with the contents of a vitamin E oil capsule. Repeat the
rubbing if necessary after the skin has healed.
For general relaxation as well as for back pain and arthritic or muscle pain and
stiffness the cheaper Epsom salts may be used. It is excellent to soak in a hot
bath with the addition of about 1 kg of Epsom salts. Also hot Epsom salt packs
may be used over stiff or painful muscles and joints. Keep warm for one to two
hours with a hot water bottle.
There is also a non-hydrated or desiccated magnesium chloride available that
contains approximately twice as much magnesium as the hydrated product. If using
this then just half the amounts indicated above. It is now also available in
tablet form but more expensive.
Instead of magnesium chloride, you may use the brine from the production of sea
salt. It has the advantage of having more trace minerals than the technical
magnesium chloride, but due to its high content of magnesium sulphate it is also
much more bitter. In Australia it is available as 'sea minerals' – see
Resources.
While a higher magnesium intake is beneficial for most individuals, those with
low blood pressure usually require more calcium in addition. Normal blood
pressure is about 120/80; the lower it is the higher should be the daily intake
of calcium. While those with high blood pressure benefit from ingesting twice as
much magnesium as calcium, those with low blood pressure may take twice as much
calcium as magnesium, but both minerals in relatively high amounts. Those with
low blood pressure and a tendency towards inflammations should also greatly
reduce their intake of phosphorus. A high level of phosphorus in the blood tends
to cause magnesium and calcium levels to be low.
Magnesium supplementation should be avoided with severe kidney problems (severe
renal insufficiency), and also with myasthenia gravis. Be careful with severe
adrenal weakness or with very low blood pressure. Too much magnesium can cause
muscle weakness, if this happens temporarily use more calcium.
MAGNESIUM PROFILE
Magnesium is mainly found inside the cells, it activates many enzymes and is
necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. It is
essential for the functions of muscles and nerves and for the formation of bones
and teeth. Generally it counteracts and regulates the influence of calcium.
Deficiency Symptoms & Increased Requirements:
CIRCULATION: angina, arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis, blood pressure and
cholesterol high, heart infarcts, hypertension, strokes, tachycardia (fast
pulse), thrombosis.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: colic, constipation, chronic diarrhoea, malabsorption,
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
MUSCLES: backache, convulsions, cramps, increased excitability/jumpiness,
numbness, nystagmus (rapid eye movements), spasms, tense/tight muscles,
tingling, tremors.
NERVOUS SYSTEM: apathy, confusion, depression, disorientation, epilepsy,
hallucinations, irritability, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, nervousness,
neuritis paranoia, Parkinson's disease, poor memory, senility.
GENERAL: alcoholism, arthritis, body odours, broken bones, calcification in any
organ, cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, diabetes, eclampsia, headaches,
infections and inflammations, liver cirrhosis, lupus erythematosus, migraines,
old age, prostate problems, rickets, rigidity - mental and physical, skin
wrinkled and tough, stiffness, stone-formation in gall bladder or kidneys,
thyroid overactive.
Best Sources:
Fresh grass juice (e.g. wheat grass, barley grass) and Barley Green powder,
vegetable juices, kelp, seawater, seafood, green leaves, molasses, soaked nuts
and oily seeds, sprouted seeds. Magnesium is the central mineral in chlorophyll,
which has a similar protein structure as haemoglobin.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: The information on this page is
not in any way offered as prescription, diagnosis nor treatment for any disease,
illness, infirmity or physical condition. Any form of self-treatment or
alternative health program necessarily must involve an individual's acceptance
of some risk, and no one should assume otherwise.
Persons needing medical care should consult a doctor or physician before making
any health decision
Kevin James Rogers
Director
Nivek Nywnorb Sregor & Co Pty Ltd
trading as:
Retsel Australia & GrainMaster Australian Whisper Mill Distributors
P.O. Box 712,
Dandenong, Vic 3175
Australia
Telephone (03) 9795 2725 or mobile (0414) 95 2725
Fax (03) 9713 2622
International phone (61 3) 9795 2725 or mobile (61 414) 95 2725
International fax (61 3) 9713 2622
E-mail kevinjamesrogers@bigpond.com
Web sites: http://www.retsel.com.au -
http://www.grainmaster.com.au