MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY IS CAUSING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
November 6, 2018 by admin
Filed under Health Blog
Nutritional medicine has played a huge role in my clinical work over the last 25 years and during this time, I’ve been aware that there are a few key nutrients that the majority of new clients have been deficient in.
These widespread nutrient deficiencies have also been identified in clinical research trials.
Sadly, these nutrient deficiencies may put people at a much higher risk of certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and many other serious illnesses.
Magnesium is one of these nutrients.
However, before we discuss the effects of magnesium deficiency and before you rush out and buy magnesium supplements, please be aware that this could cause more harm than good.
Vitamins and minerals never work in isolation and each person requires balanced dosages of a range of nutrients that work synergistically together. If you just take one or two nutrients, you will probably cause a deficiency in many others.
Also, no two people are alike. We each have different genes; varied diets; diverse environmental factors that have influenced our past or current health, and many other factors that have impacted our health and may continue to affect us.
That’s why it is important to find out what ‘your’ biologically unique body requires for optimal health and disease prevention.
When I’m able to assess new clients comprehensively, I can recommend the correct treatment program or preventative plan specifically for them.
This is very different to following ‘generic’ advice from an article you have read on the internet or in a book or magazine. It’s also incomparable to the advice you may receive from a ‘brief’ consult with a practitioner.
Unless an extensive case history is taken (and interpreted by a well-qualified practitioner), and unless accurate tests are carried out (that are appropriate for your individual needs) – then any advice provided to you is likely to be simply ‘guesswork’.
I don’t know about you but I believe our bodies deserve better than that!
Personalized medicine, in my opinion, is the only way to achieve excellent results for your health and wellbeing.
These results are generally only achieved when the nutrient supplements you take have been correctly prescribed based on your individual requirements and when the nutrients taken are the highest possible quality (without the toxic fillers that are common in many shop-bought supplements or those purchased online) – and when the supplements are the best possible compounds that your body can break down and utilize.
Now let’s get back to Magnesium and the harmful effects that a deficiency has on the body……
MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
Researchers have found that magnesium deficiency is a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and is therefore a public health crisis 1. Despite magnesium being essential for the functioning of over 300 enzymes in the body1, there has been a substantial decline in magnesium levels and other nutrient levels in foods since 1940 1.
To compound this problem, nutrient deficiencies are often very difficult to detect in blood tests 1.
In fact, researchers believe that magnesium deficiency is one of the most underdiagnosed serum electrolyte abnormalities in clinical practice today 1.
Furthermore, the early stages of tissue damage caused by low magnesium levels are not easy to detect – yet long-term depletion can lead to a range of serious diseases.
Recent studies suggest that the current recommended dietary intake for magnesium is not adequate to provide optimal health and longevity and that many individuals require an additional 300mg per day in order to lower their risk of chronic disease 1. Di Nicolantonio, O’Keefe & Wilson (2018) in their article titled ‘Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis’ state:
“Because serum magnesium does not reflect intracellular magnesium, the latter making up more than 99% of total body magnesium, most cases of magnesium deficiency are undiagnosed. Furthermore, because of chronic diseases, medications, decreases in food crop magnesium contents, and the availability of refined and processed foods, the vast majority of people in modern societies are at risk for magnesium deficiency.
Certain individuals will need to supplement with magnesium in order to prevent subclinical magnesium deficiency, especially if trying to obtain an optimal magnesium status to prevent chronic disease.
Subclinical magnesium deficiency increases the risk of numerous types of cardiovascular disease, costs nations around the world an incalculable amount of healthcare costs and suffering, and should be considered a public health crisis. That an easy, cost-effective strategy exists to prevent and treat subclinical magnesium deficiency should provide an urgent call to action”.
The researchers also concluded that:
“Subclinical magnesium deficiency is a common and under-recognised problem throughout the world. Importantly, subclinical magnesium deficiency does not manifest as clinically apparent symptoms and thus is not easily recognised by the clinician.
Despite this fact, subclinical magnesium deficiency likely leads to hypertension, arrhythmias, arterial calcifications, atherosclerosis, heart failure and an increased risk for thrombosis.
This suggests that subclinical magnesium deficiency is a principal, yet under-recognised, driver of cardiovascular disease. A greater public health effort is needed to inform both the patient and clinician about the prevalence, harms and diagnosis of subclinical magnesium deficiency”.
The study by Di Nicolantonio, et al., is worthwhile reading as it includes the clinical signs of magnesium deficiency as well as some of the causes of magnesium deficiency. The consequences of magnesium deficiency are also discussed including hypertension, atherosclerosis and calcification, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease and other serious health problems.
You can read the full research article here:
https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000668
If you would like to be prescribed high-quality magnesium supplements in forms that are readily utilized by the body (and don’t contain toxic excipients), please consult me for your health and wellbeing.
That way, I can also provide advice on what other nutrients your body may require to help you achieve optimum wellness.
Yours in Great Health,
Sar Rooney BHSc., ND., DC., DASc., GDSc. (Hons), MATMS, MHATO
Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Lecturer, Researcher & Counsellor
Sar has advanced qualifications in the health sciences and naturopathic medicine and is an accomplished practitioner, lecturer & counsellor with over 25 years clinical experience.
Consultations are offered via phone, skype and in-person by appointment.
Clinical focus is: Anxiety & Depression | Women’s Health | Chronic Fatigue | Hormonal Imbalances | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Autoimmune Disease | Genetic Polymorphisms & Nutrigenomics | Nutritional Medicine | Counselling | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention with a Clinical Focus on Identifying & Resolving the Underlying Causes of Symptoms and Disease.
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Science-Based Naturopathic Health Care to help you achieve optimal wellness, calm and contented mental health, high vitality and disease prevention with personalised naturopathic health care, specialized clinical pathology testing and high-quality naturopathic medicines. Professional counselling services are also available.
Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
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Reference:
- Di Nicolantonio, J.J., O’Keefe, J.H. & Wilson, W. Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000668
