Page 42 - Fall2010

MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION CAN BE TRICKy

Even when it seems obvious that magnesium supplementation is called for to alleviate typical deficiency symptoms
such as anxiety or heart palpitations, finding the best means to raise intracellular levels can be difficult. Most often, oral
supplements will cause laxative effects at levels too low to restore magnesium supplies to the cells, where it is needed.
Marina, whose husband Alex was recovering from heart surgery, had to be persistent. “I noticed in the hospital that he
was given intravenous magnesium during intensive care, but the doctors never mentioned it later on, when Alex was
overcome with panic attacks, bouts of low energy, hypertension and arrhythmia. We were offered drugs for all of these
conditions, but we both wanted to avoid the medications if at all possible, although we couldn’t at first. A couple of
alternative doctors had mentioned magnesium along with other supplements that could help, but with no particular
emphasis on the magnesium, so it was by trial and error that we discovered just how effective the magnesium could be.
But first we had to find the best way for Alex to take it.
“Capsules of magnesium citrate and magnesium taurate both caused diarrhea at only a quarter of the recommended
dose. I learned that chronic magnesium deficiency can unfortunately leave you with a much reduced capacity for intestinal
absorption, and it was likely that Alex had been deficient for a long time. This was hard for me to accept at first, since he
had been eating a superb diet for many years—full of mineral-rich bone broths, soups with seaweeds and nettles, and
no sugar or caffeine. But his history included decades of intense stress and obvious signs of adrenal exhaustion.
“I next tried liquid ionic magnesium, which included trace minerals as found in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. I felt
that magnesium in isolation might not be the best way to try to absorb it. Starting with just a few drops in his soup,
Alex was able to take more magnesium over time in this fashion, although we still had to be very careful not to exceed
a certain amount or the diarrhea would return. Nevertheless, we were starting to see positive results. First came better
sleep. Alex had been waking every ninety minutes during the night—he’d get up to pee, come back to bed and struggle
to fall asleep only to wake again in ninety minutes to repeat the process. He was certain his prostate was failing, but
after about a month with the ionic magnesium, he was able to sleep uninterrupted for three-, then four-, then six-hour
spans. We realized his prostate was fine, but his traumatized adrenals had been regularly firing an adrenaline rush to jolt
him awake. When they began to be pacified his sleep finally became restful; he now usually only wakes once during the
night and can easily return to sleep. And, dare I say, he sleeps better these days than he has for years. Also, with a good
night’s sleep his daytime energy level is much improved.
“Alex still had bouts of arrhythmia which had been very frightening at times, and although his hypertension was im-
proving with energy work and flower essences, we knew there was a nutritional component that needed to be addressed.
A friend happened to suggest using homeopathic magnesium to help with absorption—she herself was starting to use
magnesium supplements and was also experiencing the common problem of loose stools when this solution dawned
on her. The concept was brilliant—we needed a way to gently get the cells to accept the magnesium, and so we began
using the tissue salts Magnesia phosphorica in the 6X potency. After the very first dose Alex had improvement with his
stool and was able to keep up the same dosage of the ionic magnesium. It was as though a key had opened a lock, and
the magnesium was now entering the cells where it could do its good.
“One day Alex casually mentioned that he hadn’t had a single moment of arrhythmia in a week. This was stunning
news, since he had had at least slight arrhythmia daily for months. Everyone told us this was extremely common after
heart surgery and we thought we’d have to accept this fact. Encouraged by his progress, I next purchased some magne-
sium ‘oil’ in order to have yet another means to deliver the magnesium without involving the intestinal tract at all.
“Our current protocol includes a once-daily use of the magnesium oil. I add ionic magnesium drops to our drinking
and cooking water, as well as to every pot of soup, pan of sautéed vegetables, tray of stuffed peppers. I call this ‘micro-
dosing’ and it is in addition to using sea vegetables and plenty of bone broths. Along with the Magnesia phosphorica,
Alex takes the tissue salt Kali phosphorica (potassium phosphate) which is indicated for all conditions of nervous debility;
the two together make a very good heart tonic. At bedtime, Alex has a single dose of magnesium citrate with a food-
complex vitamin C powder. This is a relaxing evening ritual and now causes no intestinal upset.
“The only medication Alex still takes is a beta-blocker for hypertension—a small dose that we hope to be able to
quit soon. If you supplement with magnesium and have hypertension you will need to pay close attention to your blood
pressure. you will have to reduce your medication accordingly or your blood pressure could get too low too fast! you
must do this slowly, though, to give the vascular tissue time to recondition itself and regain elasticity—as it will.
“Finally, Alex himself wanted me to add that the magnesium therapy allowed him to shift the intensity of his focus
from his physical condition to his spiritual life, and sparked new creativity. He has begun to write and will be publishing
the first in a series of his memoirs early next year. Truly, who would have thought so much healing could be initiated by
finally replenishing this neglected mineral?”

42 Wise Traditions FALL 2010