Dietary
mineral deficiencies
Out of all the minerals that your body needs for proper function,
calcium and magnesium are by far the most important. Deficiencies of
calcium
and magnesium may cause tension, muscle aches and pains,
high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and premenstrual
syndrome (PMS).
There are, however, natural substances that can help ease or even
eliminate the painful symptoms that many people suffer every day.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body. About 99% of all
the calcium is in your bones and teeth.
The remaining calcium is
found in your blood and cells. Every cell in your body requires
calcium for normal metabolic and electromagnetic activity. It is
essential for normal muscular activity, including the heart muscle.
Lack of calcium and magnesium affects the ability of muscles to
contract, which in turn affects the joints. Deficiency of these
minerals can cause instability, pain and “shrinking” that we
regard as a part of “normal aging.”
Why
is Calcium so Important?
Calcium assists in the absorption of nutrients, is responsible for
the transmission of messages within your cells and is also required
for the contraction and relaxation of your muscles.
Without calcium,
nerve fiber membranes can cause repetitive signals, which end up as
uncontrollable impulses, or twitches. You need to get at least 1000
mg of calcium per day from your diet. If you consume less than this
amount your body will have to remove some of the calcium from your
bones in order to make sure that the organs and tissues will still
receive all the calcium they need.
Clearly this is not the best way
to meet calcium needs of the body, because it will weaken the bones
and may still prove inadequate for optimal calcium status.
According to a study published in 1996 in the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA), “virtually all Americans
are deficient in calcium.” This study looked at almost 2,500 women
with high blood pressure, most of whom were deficient in calcium.
Once the deficiency was corrected, blood pressure was normalized in
70% of the patients.
Osteoporosis, a disease of decreased bone mass, affects about 5
million American men and 25 million American women. The risk is
especially high in post-menopausal women. Overall, about 50% of
women over 45 already have or will have osteoporosis and bone loss.
It is well known that calcium supplementation can prevent and
reverse osteoporosis and the risk of dangerous fractures.
Calcium is also essential for normal hormonal balance. A study of
almost 500 women performed at Columbia University and published in
1998 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
showed that calcium is effective against a wide variety of PMS
symptoms. Daily calcium supplements have reduced the occurrence of
mood swings, headaches, food cravings and bloating by 50%!
Medical studies have shown that deficiency of calcium
can
lead to heart rhythm irregularities, insomnia, high blood pressure,
cramps, “growing pains” in teenagers, brittle nails and joint
pains. Benefits of calcium include:
1. strong
bones
2. strong teeth
3. healthy gums
4. normal blood clotting
5. normal heart function
6. normal blood pressure
7. normal muscle contraction
8. normal sleep pattern
9. normal function of the nervous system and nerve impulses
Why
You also Need Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the body. It is
necessary for normal function of over 300 different enzymes with a
broad range of activity.
Between 50-60% of all the magnesium in your body can be found in
your bones. You need a minimum of 350 to 400 mg of magnesium daily.
The best source of this mineral is green, leafy vegetables. But
since most Americans do not eat the required 6-9 servings of fruits
and vegetables daily, magnesium deficiency is extremely common.
Because of its effect on various enzymes, deficiency of magnesium
leads to a wide range of symptoms - irritability, fatigue, insomnia,
poor digestion, palpitations, cardiovascular problems, high blood
pressure, pain, depression, asthma, premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
muscle weakness and cramps.
Studies show that magnesium is necessary for:
1. energy
production
2. nerve impulse transmission
3. pH balance in the body
4. maintenance of blood pressure
5. normal heart function
6. normal heart rhythm
7. relaxation of arteries
8. relaxation of the skeletal muscles
9. carbohydrate metabolism
10. balance of minerals in the body
11. protection against kidney stones (together with vitamin B6)
12. bone health, prevention of osteoporosis
13. prevention of PMS symptoms
14. improved mental function
15. improved cellular activity
16. improved sleep patterns and elimination of insomnia
17. improvement in depression
18. whiter, healthier teeth
An
injection of magnesium can stop an attack of bronchial asthma. When
given intravenously to heart attack victims, magnesium reduces
mortality and improves outcome.
Magnesium
shots have been used in cases of congestive heart failure and have
been reported to improve Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Because it supports normal adrenal gland function, magnesium is also
known as the “anti-stress” mineral.
Gentle
Relaxation
Most of the processes of cell maintenance and repair take place
while you sleep. The combination of calcium and magnesium has a
calm, soothing effect that improves the quality of sleep, which
thereby promotes and enhances your body’s natural rejuvenation
process.
Calcium is absorbed better in the presence of vitamin C, which is an
important antioxidant that boosts immune function, improves
cholesterol profiles and even offers some protection against cancer.
This is what makes antacids with calcium carbonate (a.k.a. chalk),
such as TUMS, ineffective. Calcium citrate appears to be better
absorbed and more effective against osteoporosis.
Proper calcium absorption also requires a sufficient amount of
vitamin D. Current evidence suggests that the combination of vitamin
D and calcium supplements can help prevent, slow down and possibly
even reverse the effects of osteoporosis. In a 2-year, controlled
study of 130 individuals, daily supplementation of calcium and
vitamin D was found to have reversed bone loss.
Some evidence
suggests that vitamin D may even help prevent cancer of the breast,
colon, pancreas and prostate.
