Shocking NORMAL magnesium level

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:38 pm

My doctor's office just called to report my intracellular magnesium level was NORMAL, even though we both believed it would be low. I'm in shock. I have so many symptoms of deficiency. I have been taking a supplement (cal/mag citrate), but not nearly enough to meet the USRDA, because I was concerned it would aggravate the D. Hmmm. I guess I'll just keep taking it.

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:20 pm

Well, that's positive news, Z. (Though, of course, it means your deficiency symptoms are pointing off in some other direction - maybe they'll resolve, as your healing continues??)

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:42 pm

I think I may have a magnesium deficiency, because I have had sporadic, but painful, cramping of my calves, feet and toes since this LC journey began. My doc gave me a scrip for testing, which I haven't yet done, mostly because what am I going to do anyway? Take magnesium and set off D? My FIL has had good results with tonic water (quinine) for his leg cramps, but I don't like the taste of it-- might have to put on my big girl pants and drink it anyway.

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:04 pm

Suze, I use a topical magnesium. I haven't been tested, but developed foot/leg cramps for the first time a couple of months after I found my way here to this forum. I bought a pound of nigari flakes, which are used for making tofu, and I dissolve it till super-saturated in water. It has an oily feeling, and is a little stinging, because it's basically a salt. I don't find it at all troublesome - I usually just leave it on. But some people spray or splash it on in the morning, then wash it off with a shower. (If I were awake before taking the dog to the park, that would work well for me.) A 1-pound package cost me about $2, and I haven't run out yet.

There's 'magnesium doctor' (http://drcarolyndean.com/) - I borrowed her book from the library, but mostly skimmed it. A fellow in a health-food store told me that I could do this myself. (He was buying giant 10-pound bags of some magnesium that's suitable for tropical fish, but I am perfectly happy with this - it's intended for use in food, and the price is right.)

I tend to forget about it these days, so am using it less often - I think that's because things are stabilizing for me, as my gut heals. (Or anyway, I hope so.)

I got it here - http://www.naturalimport.com/inc/sdetail/6922 - and I believe I saw it for a much higher price elsewhere.

Hope this helps,

Sara

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:54 pm

I use spray magnesium, too.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:40 am

I looked up magnesium deficiency, and now I'm not sure my symptoms were related. I take at least 47% of the USRDA for magnesium daily in a cal/mag/D capsule supplement (as citrate, aspartate and one other type - not oxide or sulfate) It seems the type makes a big difference, both for bioavailability and likelihood of causing diarrhea. Getting it in a capsule also increases the likelihood of absorption (versus a tablet). I've never noticed more D from taking it.

Magnesium is absorbed orally at about 30% bioavailability from any water soluble salt, such as magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate. The citrate is the least expensive soluble (high bioavailability) oral magnesium salt available in supplements, with 100 mg and 200 mg magnesium typically contained per capsule or tablet.

Magnesium aspartate, chloride, lactate, citrate and glycinate each have bioavailability 4 times greater than the oxide form and are equivalent to each other per amount of magnesium, though not in price.[6][7]

The ligand of choice for large-scale manufacturers of multivitamins and minerals containing magnesium is the magnesium oxide due to its compactness, high magnesium content by weight, low cost, and ease-of-use in manufacturing. However it is insoluble in water. Insoluble magnesium salts such as magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) depend on stomach acid for neutralization before they can be absorbed, and thus are relatively poor oral magnesium sources, on average.

Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) are soluble in water, but are commonly used as a purgative, due to the poor absorption of the sulfate component. In lower doses, they may be used as an oral magnesium source, however.

Here's a list of symptoms of deficiency. I only had muscle twitches.

■Insomnia
■Anxiety, hyperactivity, restlessness
■Constipation
■Muscle spasms, twitches, soreness
■Difficulty swallowing
■Back aches
■Headaches
■Chest tightness and difficulty breathing
■Heart palpitations
■High blood pressure
■Extreme fatigue
■Osteoporosis

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium#h4

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:25 am

I've found that drinking coconut water will stop my cramping almost immediately. It is very high in magnesium.

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:41 pm

Hi Stanz,

Where can I find the coconut water or do you make it?

Love, Maggie

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:22 pm

I buy the Vita Coco brand at Costco, Maggie. It's supposed to have more electrolytes than a sports drink and has 680 mg of potassium, which translates to 19% of the RDA for potassium, but I've never found that I needed more than one. Of course bananas are also good. This brand is just coconut water w/some added Vit. C. Costs about $1 for 11.1 oz, not cheap.

I always have some of this on location when I'm working, which seems to be when I am most likely to get the cramping. A few weeks ago I had cramping in both feet and both hands, it was truly bizarre, but the coconut water stopped it cold.

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:02 am

Morning Stanz,

Thanks so much for the information on where to get it. Bananas are out since I am HIGHLY allergic to them.

Love, Maggie

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 11:04 am

Hi Maggie,

I misspoke in my first response here that Vita Coco was high in magnesium, I meant to say potassium. RDA values via the package are:

Calcium-5%
Phosphorous-5%
Vit. C-230%
Magnesium-10%
There is also 40 mg of sodium and 15 grams of carbs in the form of sugars.

Other than that, there's no fat, no cholesterol, no protein, no dietary fiber, no gluten.

I can see how limited you are in your food options. I found this source of information:
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines ... endixb.htm

Hope it's useful.

Connie

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 11:45 am

Coconut water is frequently used in the developing world as oral rehydration for diarrheal illnesses.