The Forgotten Mineral: The Effects of Magnesium Depletion
What Does Magnesium Do?
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals necessary for the overall function of the human body. It is essential for maintaining the cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, immunological, and reproductive systems. When the body doesn't receive the right amount of magnesium, there is an increased risk of painful chronic diseases. Magnesium is in the top four of essential minerals. The body uses it for over 300 biochemical interactions, most of which are vital to supporting the nervous system. Additionally, magnesium is responsible for several other functions, such as:
- Assisting in controlling glucose and blood pressure levels
- Boosting metabolism
- Breaking down protein
- Influencing bone health
Magnesium is also a key player in the muscular system. Supplements such as magnesium glycinate (Amino Mag Powder) can be used to help increase magnesium levels to have a calming and muscle relaxation effect. This supplement may be helpful for muscle spasms, chronic pain and supporting sugar and heart metabolism.
How Low Magnesium Levels Triggers Chronic Disease
When magnesium levels get critically low, it can affect the body’s basic functions. In addition, it can lead to serious chronic diseases. Recent studies have shown that low magnesium levels can increase the risk of cancer and neural behavioral disorders such as ADHD. Other studies have shown that certain neurological diseases may result in severe deficiencies. As the study of magnesium continues, scientists are discovering its contributions to several recognizable chronic diseases. Many studies have shown that magnesium depletion is a problem in patients being diagnosed with disorders such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes and Insulin Resistance
- Kidney Stones
- Chemical Toxicity
- Osteoporosis
- Premenstrual Syndrome
" Generally, the significance of healthy magnesium levels is overlooked. Our patients are becoming more aware of the role magnesium plays and how to avoid depletion through diet and supplementation. We educate our patients that it is necessary to consume at least 400 mg of magnesium daily. "
Dr. Gary Gruber
Symptoms of Magnesium Depletion
The human body is multifaceted and will send signals when it’s not getting enough of something. As a result, it’s important for people to understand that the fundamental part of maintaining a healthy level is recognizing when there's a problem. Several signs and symptoms of magnesium depletion include:
- Dry or coarse skin
- Brittle nails
- Sudden fatigue
- Muscle spasms
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Bronchospasms
- Headache
- Insulin Resistance
Magnesium depletion can also cause anxiety and depression due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek medical attention and develop a plan of action with their physician. Pregnancy may contribute to low magnesium levels. Low magnesium in pregnancy has been linked to preeclampsia a condition of high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling of hands and feet. However, eating a Mediterranean diet and taking prenatal vitamins with extra magnesium supplementation will ensure steady magnesium levels throughout pregnancy.
Preventing Magnesium Depletion
Avoiding chronic disease because of low magnesium levels requires adults and teens to be proactive about their health. The following table shows common food sources of magnesium that should be rotated throughout the daily diet:
Adults and teenagers should also consider taking magnesium supplements. Amino Mag Capsulesare a high potency and very absorbable form of the mineral.Before taking supplements whether vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants it is appropriate to test for deficiencies. While a blood test for magnesium is standard, a comprehensive functional nutrition test such as Genova’s NutrEval will provide extensive information for mineral deficiencies.
Endnotes:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-magnesium-important-kids-bone-health.html
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/45/5/1305.long
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium#Biological_role
http://www.nhfw.info/magnesium.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16846100
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/10/2238?sid=92f080cb-ecf1-46c8-bb94-b590321915b9
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22318649
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Citation&list_uids=17413107
http://www.mgwater.com/rod02.shtml
Anti-Aging Medicine is Exercise with Oxygen
Botox Injections and Collagen Therapy are not Anti-Aging Medicine in Fairfield County
As a naturopathic physician for over 12 years I am always researching to find and implement new therapies that generate health and healing for our patients. The current state of anti aging medicine consists of hormone replacement therapy, laser treatments, botox injections, and collagen therapy. This type of anti-aging medicine reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit: “Its not how you feel but how you look, and you look marvelous….” Skip to the following video to watch an anti-aging presentation by Dr Gary Gruber:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT07CewOIh4
In this article we are going to explore one of the most important causes of physical aging and a therapy that effectively reverses the mechanism of aging.
What is Aging?
Aging is a complex process of changes in biological systems that results in progressive decline in function and degeneration of one or more physical systems of the body.
Changes are observable as well as experienced: Changes in sensory experiences such as vision, hearing, taste, and smell. Changes in the skin and joints; changes in sleep patterns; changes in urinary and sexual function, changes in cognition and mood. Cardiovascular changes (heart, veins and arteries) and neurological (neuropathies and dementias).
Many people are told by their doctor that their symptoms are just the result of getting older, as though it should be accepted as fact. And while some people will buy into the getting-old program and stereotypes, others will look for alternatives to aging that reverse the signs and symptoms.
Cause of Aging is Lack of Biochemical Energy
What is the underlying cause of physical aging. Can the mechanism be reversed?
When we consider all of the factors that influence the aging process, there is one factor that consistently declines throughout life … Energy!
We progressively lose the vitality of youth. All biological functions require energy and lots of it. Biological functions including metabolism, regeneration, digestion, respiration, locomotion, cognition, immune, neurological, hormonal, ALL require energy. To get energy we have to make it. It requires nutrients and oxygen.
It is possible for cells throughout the body to make energy without oxygen. But the process, called anaerobic respiration is inefficient and results in a net loss of biochemical energy. Anaerobic respiration results in two molecules of energy or ATP but after considering the removal of waste products from the body which also requires energy, there is a net loss of four molecules of ATP.
On the other hand in the presence of oxygen, that is called aerobic respiration, the cells make in excess of 30 molecules of ATP energy for each molecule of glucose, fat, or protein.. Aerobic energy production is efficient and effective and is the source of youthful vitality. Oxygen is the critical factor. Without sufficient quantities of oxygen cells make energy inefficiently. Yet with every breath there is a vast supply of oxygen so why aren’t cells always making energy aerobically. It is because the delivery system has changed over the years.
It is well understood that the body fluids of a 50 year old contain less than 50% of the dissolved oxygen than the same person at 25 years old. In order for the cells to get oxygen, the oxygen must be dissolved in the fluids that surround the cells. This fluid, predominately water is outside of the vascular system, the system that carries the oxygen-rich red blood cells.
The fluid of the body is like a fish tank. Suppose you fill a tank with 10 gallons of water and put a dozen goldfish in the tank. What happens after a week?
The water gets murky is depleted of oxygen and the fish die. To prevent this condition you either need to replace the oxygen-depleted water or add a bubbler system that creates turbulence in the water. It is the turbulence that is necessary for oxygen to be dissolved in the water.
In the human body the only way to create turbulence in the fluids, like a fish tank, is to engage your own pump, the heart. We do this through exercise. When the heart rate is sustained above 110 beats per minute, or greater, such as a cardiovascular workout, the turbulence is created that promotes oxygen to dissolve into the body fluids.
Oxygen is not dissolved in blood but rather it is attached to hemoglobin within the red blood cells. But remember, the oxygen must dissolve in the fluids in order to be picked up by the cells.
However, as we age, inflammation of the capillaries prevents oxygen from dissolving into the tissues. Here is how it happens: In order for the oxygen to be stripped off the red blood cell, each red blood cell, one by one, must pass through the tip of the smallest vessel in the vascular system, the capillary. If the red blood cell by-passes the tips of the capillaries, the oxygen is not stripped off and does not dissolve into the fluid.
Advanced Oxygen Multistep Anti Aging Therapy in Fairfield County
There is only one effective way to reverse inflammation of the capillaries: oxygen multistep therapy. Oxygen Multistep Therapy was first developed by Manfred von Ardenne, a German physicist in 1987 after years of research into the question of how to maintain good health in older age. Since then hundreds of clinics throughout Europe have reversed or slowed aging using this simple therapy of combining oxygen while exercising.
In 2016 Family and Environmental Medicine became the first clinic on the east coast of the United States to offer patients the most advanced system for oxygen multistep therapy, a system called LiveO2. This advanced system that uses altitude contrast therapy has been clinically demonstrated to be more effective in LESS TIME than traditional oxygen multistep therapy, exercise with oxygen therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In addition to reversing and slowing the effects of aging, LiveO2 has been effective in our clinic in treating chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, chronic lymphatic congestion, chronic infections and chronic Lyme disease.
Anti Aging in Fairfield County CT and Surrounding Local Areas
Family and Environmental Medicine help patients with Holistic Solutions that support health and well-being. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for patients from around the country who seek health and healing with Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The majority of patients are from the local area of southern Fairfield County (including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT), Westchester County, NY, NYC, and Northern NJ. For personal questions about anti aging therapy and LiveO2, please contact us at (203) 966-6360.
Treatments for Brain Fog and Fatigue in Fairfield County CT
Brain Fog and Fatigue in Chronic Lyme Disease
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VGypfboyGw
In our clinic, we see many patients that are diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. One common thread with all these patients is brain fog and fatigue. Brain fog and fatigue are common symptoms that result from chronic stress. Chronic stress may be from emotional influences such as death of a spouse, financial difficulties or hardships, divorce, physical, and emotional abuse.
Chronic stress may be the result of chronic physical inflammation from dysbiosis, food sensitivities, weight problems, joint and muscle pain, low thyroid, high blood sugar, viral load from Epstein-Barr or herpes, bacterial load from tick-borne infections and defective root canals, and chronic heavy metal absorption.
Once symptoms start and do not resolve, the condition is considered chronic: Headaches, joint and muscle pain, reflux, gas and bloating, constipation and diarrhea, pain and ringing in the ears, allergies, and of course, BRAIN FOG AND FATIGUE.
Both emotional stressors and physical stressors contribute to chronic stress, also known as Allostatic or Total Load.
Chronic Stress from Lyme Disease Causes Brain Fog and Fatigue
Here is an important point: Chronic Stress has more to do with the heart than any other organ system because the electrical field and rhythm of the heart impacts all of the cells of the body.
Most people think of the heart as simply a pump. Well, in fact, in addition to producing its own hormones for signaling other cells throughout the body the heart transmits a very strong electrical field that can be measured well beyond the surface of the body.
When you are under constant stress from whatever source, your body reacts by sending hormones and neurotransmitters into your bloodstream. These chemical signals are picked up by your heart and result in an in a change in heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is the way your heart speeds up and slows down from moment to moment. It is not the same thing as heart rate.
To explain heart rate variability consider the analogy of passing a car on the highway. You’re driving your car and in the lane ahead of you is a slower car. You signal, move gradually into the left lane, accelerate, pass the slower car, gradually move back into the right lane, then de-accelerate to your cruising speed. Nice and smooth, Right? Suppose in a different way, you drive within a few feet of the slower car, slam on your brakes, jerk the car into the left lane, smash the accelerator to the floor and pass the car, again you abruptly jerk the car back to the right lane, and finally slam on the brakes to bring the car to its cruising speed. So in the first scenario, we call the variability smooth or coherent, in the second scenario choppy or incoherent variability.
It turns out that the variability in the heart’s moment-to-moment rate can also be incoherent or coherent and this heart rate variability is transmitted by nerve impulses to your brain. An incoherent heart rate variability causes your brain to shunt or detour impulses away from your brain’s frontal cortex, the thinking area, into the emotional areas of the brain. As a result, it is harder to process thoughts when you become more engaged with your emotions. This phenomenon is experienced as brain fog and fatigue. Usually, we arrive at a diagnosis of Chronic Lyme because the patient has reached the tipping point and the body may no longer be able to balance and handle the symptoms associated with multiple chronic stressors.
Treatments that Cure Symptoms of Brain Fog in Chronic Lyme Disease
We have treatments that help patients manage their emotions and build resilience in order to strengthen the immune system and cure symptoms like Brain Fog and Fatigue, particularly in chronic Lyme disease.
If you would like more information about treatments like HeartMath or Inner Balance that we regularly use with our patients check out the research at www.HeartMath.org.
Heart Rate Variability Testing in Fairfield County CT and Surrounding Local Areas
Family and Environmental Medicine help patients with Holistic Solutions that support health and well-being. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for patients from around the country who seek health and healing with Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The majority of patients are from the local area of southern Fairfield County (including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT), Westchester County, NY, NYC, and Northern NJ. For personal questions about Regulation Thermography testing, please contact us at (203) 539-1149.
Is It Brain Fog?
https://youtu.be/h4unC7GUz-c
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Brain Fog Survey
Toxic Load: Assessment and Measurement of Health and Well-Being
Toxic Load: Assessment and Measurement of Health and Well-Being
Gary S. Gruber ND
Your health and well-being are intricately intertwined with the many influences, stressors, and choices that are made over the course of a lifetime. There are physical influences such as infections, toxic chemicals, food allergies and sensitivities, imbalanced hormones, and anatomical abnormalities. Emotional stressors include divorce, death of a family member or close friend, a child with special needs, trauma, along with work-related issues and financial concerns. Guilt, fear and anxiety, and the suppression of negative experiences are spiritual influences that shape life choices. There is a fine line between all of these physical, emotional, and spiritual influences, and it is often blurred.
The summation of all these physical, emotional, and spiritual influences is called Total Load. A person’s overall health and well-being ultimately reflects their ability to accommodate this total load of the influences, stressors, and choices they experience.
Let me digress for a moment and take you on a walk through the woods. On this beautiful day you are breathing deeply and enjoying the harmony of nature, the beautiful flowers, and the cool canopy of the forest. Suddenly, you are startled by a bear which has emerged on the trail and is swiftly approaching you. Without any thought you turn and run. Every part of your being is focused on one thing; survival. Fortunately, the mechanisms that improve your chances begin to function immediately. Your heart begins to pump harder and faster to deliver more oxygen and nutrition to your muscles. The arteries that carry the blood open wider to handle the additional pressure. Your vision becomes acute because the pupils dilate to let in as much light as possible. Your liver becomes very busy converting stored energy into sugar and scavenges as many amino acids as possible for energy. At the same time the digestive and sexual functions stop in order to preserve all the energy in the event of a trauma that requires repair. You are totally unaware of the distance and speed you are traveling until a quick glance over your shoulder reveals that the bear turned off the trail and is no longer interested in the chase. As you progress from a sprint, to a trot, then to a walk, all of your physiological systems begin returning to normal.
Here is the problem. . . click here to read full article.