Boost Your Learning and Your Memory with Magnesium
February 4th, 2010
Natural News
By S. L. Baker
Magnesium, as NaturalNews has reported through the years, is an essential nutrient that benefits health in many important ways. For example, research has shown it helps to prevent heart disease, slashes the risk of cerebral palsy, and can even treat age-related hearing loss. Now a study by Chinese scientists, published in the in the January 28th issue of the journal Neuron, shows magnesium could have a powerful impact on the brain, too — and boost learning and memory.
In a statement to the media, the researchers noted that diet can affect cognitive capacity. Because learning and memory tend to decline with age and disease, they decided to search for dietary factors that could prevent these changes by having a positive influence on the sites of communication between brain cells (neurons) called synapses. Professor Guosong Liu, Director of the Center for Learning and Memory at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, led the new study to see whether supplementing the diet with magnesium could boost brain power in this way.
The results suggest increasing magnesium intake could be a successful, drug-free way to improve brain function. It also supports the idea that too-low levels of magnesium could result in increased deterioration of memory in aging humans.
“Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning of many tissues in the body, including the brain and, in an earlier study, we demonstrated that magnesium promoted synaptic plasticity in cultured brain cells,” Dr. Liu explained in the press statement. “Therefore it was tempting to take our studies a step further and investigate whether an increase in brain magnesium levels enhanced cognitive function in animals.”
Using a new magnesium compound dubbed magnesium-L-threonate (MgT) that can significantly increase magnesium in the brain when used as a dietary supplement, the research team gave magnesium to lab rats of different ages along with their regular diet. Then the scientists checked the animals for behavioral and cellular changes associated with memory.
“We found that increased brain magnesium enhanced many different forms of learning and memory in both young and aged rats,” stated Dr. Liu. In fact, the research revealed an increase in the number of functional synapses and enhancement of a host of processes in the brain that are necessary for learning and memory.
“Our findings suggest that elevating brain magnesium content via increasing magnesium intake might be a useful new strategy to enhance cognitive abilities,” Dr. Liu concluded in the media statement. “Moreover, half the population of industrialized countries has a magnesium deficit, which increases with aging. This may very well contribute to age-dependent memory decline; increasing magnesium intake might prevent or reduce such decline.”
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The Magnesium Mile – Preventing Heart Disease
November 4, 2009
NaturalNews
By Mike Adams
Magnesium may be the most under-rated minerals in human nutrition. It’s not only pivotal in preventing heart disease, it also prevents diabetes by helping the body properly regulate sugar metabolism. There are perhaps a thousand benefits for magnesium in the human body, and yet most people are magnesium deficient!
Here, we present a fascinating collection of supporting quotes and states about magnesium that we’ve researched from some of the top health books ever published. Enjoy this collection — and boost your magnesium intake!
Magnesium and heart disease
The benefits of magnesium in treating heart disease include the well known decrease in ischemic heart disease and sudden death found in communities drinking hard water (magnesium containing), powerful prevention of platelet clumping (clot prevention) known to be caused by magnesium, strong blood vessel dilating properties of magnesium, and effective action to block dangerous heart rhythms in persons taking magnesium. The decrease in number of heart attacks probably resulted from the magnesium in Bufferin.
- Transdermal Magnesium Therapy by Mark Sircus
Magnesium calms the nerves. As this mineral mediates digestive processes, a lack is associated with many eating-related problems, including vomiting, indigestion, cramps, flatulence, abdominal pain, and constipation. When under stress, we use up much magnesium. Chocolate cravings may be a sign of magnesium deficiency, because chocolate is high in magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been implicated in depression, diabetes, heart disease, migraines, and menopausal symptoms. Natural sources of magnesium include dark, leafy vegetables, sea vegetables, and whole grains.
- Gary Null’s Power Aging by Gary Null
Since food processing refines out a very large portion of magnesium, most Americans are not getting the RDA of magnesium. What is the result of this low dietary magnesium? Low levels of magnesium in the diet and our bodies increase susceptibility to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, cancer, insomnia, PMS, and menstrual cramps. Magnesium’s role in preventing heart disease and kidney stones is the most widely accepted. Individuals dying suddenly of heart attacks have been shown to have very low levels of magnesium in their heart.
- The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
In addition, while inorganic magnesium salts often cause diarrhea at higher dosages, organic forms of magnesium generally do not. In general, magnesium is very well tolerated. Magnesium supplementation can sometimes cause a looser stool, particularly magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), hydroxide, or chloride. Magnesium supplementation must be used with great care in patients with kidney disease or severe heart disease (such as high-grade atrioventricular block).
- Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 by Michael T. Murray, ND
If you are a heart patient concerned about magnesium, have your doctor monitor levels in your red blood cells, Dr. Sueta suggests. “If your levels are low, you know for sure you’re low in magnesium. And if your levels are borderline, you still are probably low in magnesium,” she says. You can have normal levels of magnesium, however, and still be low enough to have magnesium deficiency-related heart problems, she adds. If you have kidney problems or heart disease, it’s important to take magnesium supplements only under medical supervision.
- Prevention’s Healing With Vitamins : The Most Effective Vitamin and Mineral Treatments for Everyday Health Problems and Serious Disease by The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
Magnesium is abundant in foods such as wheat bran, almonds, and tofu, but most Americans do not get enough magnesium from food. Magnesium is of particular importance to women, who often suffer magnesium deficiencies. Postmenopausal women, who are especially likely to be low in magnesium, are more vulnerable to dangerous blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke. In addition to increasing the risk of heart disease in women, low levels of magnesium contribute to another major health problem: osteoporosis.
- Earl Mindell’s Supplement Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to Hundreds of NEW Natural Products that Will Help You Live Longer, Look Better, Stay Heathier, … and Much More! by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
Many patients with CHF have a magnesium deficiency. The level of magnesium in the blood correlates with the ability of the heart muscle to manufacture enough energy to beat properly. Many disorders of heart rhythm are related to an insufficient level of magnesium in the heart muscle. CoQ10 is an important natural prescription for all types of heart disease. Carnitine improves cardiac function in patients with congestive heart failure.
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
An alternative approach is to use magnesium supplements, because calcium and magnesium both compete for the same receptor sites in smooth muscle. When calcium lands in those sites it induces spasm, but magnesium doesn’t. If high enough levels of magnesium are maintained in the blood, the magnesium will land in those sites in place of the calcium and prevent the spasms in the same way that calcium blockers do. This supports the idea that magnesium supplements can play a role in preventing heart disease.
- Intelligent Medicine: A Guide to Optimizing Health and Preventing Illness for the Baby-Boomer Generation by Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
Experts estimate that 25 percent of people with diabetes are low in the mineral magnesium. The problem is even worse in those who have diabetes-related heart disease or a type of eye damage known as retinopathy. Since low levels of magnesium have been linked to damage to the retinas, it’s likely that upping your intake of this mineral may help protect your eyes. Good sources of magnesium include baked halibut, which contains 91 milligrams of magnesium per 3-ounce serving, 23 percent of the DV.
- Prevention’s New Foods for Healing: Capture the Powerful Cures of More Than 100 Common Foods by Prevention Magazine
Even in apparently healthy senior citizens, it is usually deficient. Magnesium is especially important for men, because a deficiency can cause the arteries of the heart to spasm, resulting in a heart attack. Epidemiological studies have shown that areas with low magnesium in the water supply have a higher incidence of heart disease. Deficiency can occur from decreased intake of foods rich in magnesium, eating foods depleted of magnesium due to poor farming techniques, decreased absorption, and disorders and medications that impair magnesium absorption.
- Total Wellness: Improve Your Health by Understanding and Cooperating with Your Body’s Natural Healing Systems by Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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Chlorophyll: The Natural Way to Fresh Breath
October 16, 2009
Natural News
By Mike Adams
Forget about breath mints. You can never take enough to cover halitosis if your breath really smells bad. The only real way to get rid of bad breath is to solve the problem internally.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to do that: Chlorophyll. It’s Mother Nature’s amazing green cleaning machine, and the more you take, the cleaner you get.
Here, we bring you a collection of supporting quotes about chlorophyll and halitosis (bad breath) from some of the best-known natural health authors in the industry. You’ll learn not only why chlorophyll works so well, but also the best sources for getting some.
Of course, if you don’t have time to read this, there’s always mouthwash…
Chlorophyll eliminates bad breath
Taken from the green pigment in plants, chlorophyll is very similar in chemical structure to human hemoglobin. The difference is that where hemoglobin contains iron, chlorophyll contains magnesium. One of the reasons people drink wheat grass, alfalfa, barley, or spirulina is that these plants contain very high concentrations of chlorophyll and can help to “purify” or cleanse toxins from the bloodstream. Do you remember the chlorophyll gum that was recommended to improve bad breath? Bad breath is usually a sign of a toxic colon, and chlorophyll helps to remove the toxins.
- Stop Your Cravings: A Balanced Approach to Burning Fat, Increasing Energy, and Reducing Stress by Jennifer Workman
The green pigment known as chlorophyll does more than keep our world green. When it comes to human health, chlorophyll is an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory. Chlorophyll is used to promote wound healing, promote new tissue growth, relieve gas and bloating, and prevent gallstones. Perhaps chlorophyll is best known for its ability to eliminate bad breath. Typical dosage: 1 teaspoon powder or three 100 mg tablets after each meal.
My Favorite Natural Healing Juices…
September 2, 2009 by KT
Filed under Kevin's Blog
Folks, you’ve heard me say it before, stay away from drugs! Stay away from all the garbage and all the crap. There are natural cures out there! The drug companies don’t want you do know this because they’ll lose money if you find a natural way to cure yourself.
Here are just a few of my favorite natural healing juices…
Celery Juice:
High blood pressure medication is so damaging to the body. If you’re on high blood pressure medication, you don’t need to be. Get a juicer and start making your own celery juice. It’s loaded with magnesium and magnesium deficiency is the number one cause of high blood pressure. There are a whole bunch of other nutrients in celery that relax and soothe muscle cells in the arterial walls. This allows the arteries to dilate, lowering the blood pressure. It will also calm you down. One of the physicians at the Whitaker Wellness Center decided to put this to the test. Every day for a month, she and her father would drink one bunch of celery, mixed with a little orange juice for flavor. In just 30 days, her father’s blood pressure went from 148 to 128 and hers went from 120 to 105. That’s without dangerous, prescription drugs.
Cabbage Juice:
Two thousand years ago, in ancient documents, cabbage was said to surpass all other vegetables as a digestive aid. One of the reasons is that it’s very high in glutamine, which is an amino acid that serves as fuel for the rapidly dividing cells in certain parts of the body. Multiple studies support cabbage’s reputation as a therapy for gastro-intestinal disorders, especially ulcers, heart burn, and GERD. Cabbage juice actually can heal peptic ulcers. One study showed that it healed peptic ulcers 92% of the time. Do you realize that’s better and more effective than any drug known to man? There’s one person I know who swears by cabbage juice. She was plagued with inflammation of the stomach lining and had severe acid reflux. Her regular MD doctor tried all of the usual drugs, but nothing alleviated her pain or reduced the frequency of her episodes. She then learned about cabbage. Whenever she had a flair-up, she would drink the juice of half a head of cabbage, which is about 4 ounces. She did this 5 times a day for about 3 days and also drank a lot for pure water. She was then problem free for 9 months. If she would have just taken a little bit on a regular basis, it would have been even more miraculous.
Cherry Juice:
Cherries have been discovered to contain very powerful, natural anti-inflammatory compounds. They work better than Aspirin, Advil or any other pain medication. Researchers at Michigan State University found that just 10 tart cherries packed the same pain relieving punch as 2 Aspirin, plus the fact they have all the anti-oxidants for anti-aging and good heart health! You can’t get that from any drug! Cherries have also been shown to reduce or eliminate gout, which is caused by a build-up of uric acid. As you know, this can cause pain and stiffness, specifically in the big toe. A study at the University of California found that eating 8 oz of tart cherries reduced levels of uric acid. Cherries are an amazing and healthy food. If you have pain or inflammation, this is a wonderful natural cure.
Cranberry Juice:
Now a lot of people have known this for years, but in recent years, no one is talking about it since the FDA passed a rule that only a drug can be used to treat, cure or prevent a disease. For years, doctors used to treat urinary tract infections with cranberry juice. Back then when you went to the store and bought cranberry juice, the cranberries were not genetically modified and weren’t loaded with toxins. It was real cranberry juice. Today, it’s hard to get real cranberry juice, unless you go to a whole foods type store where you can get 100% organic cranberry juice. Read the labels. No high-fructose corn syrup allowed. You can also get cranberries and juice them yourself in a juice machine. Make sure, if they have the pits in them, you take them out. The juice of cranberries can absolutely, 100% cure and prevent urinary tract infections.
Melon Juice:
Cantaloupe and honeydew are very good natural remedies for weight loss. I personally drink, in season, organic watermelon juice. It is the first thing I drink in the morning. Sometimes I drink other types of juice in the morning, but generally melon. It’s great for clearing out the intestines and livening up the whole digestive tract!
Juice It Up!
August 19, 2009
Natural News
By Dr. Julian Whitaker
Some mornings on my way to work, I drop by the local Jamba Juice store a block from my office and down 16 ounces of carrot juice and four ounces each of wheatgrass juice and a green tea energy drink. I drink this cocktail for overall health and vitality. The wheatgrass is full of vitamin K and amino acids, the carrot juice is packed with beta-carotene, and the green tea gives me a boost of caffeine and antioxidants to get my day started.
However, this is not a story about general health maintenance. It is about “targeted” juices that have predictable and rapid therapeutic effects on specific health conditions. Let’s start with a very common problem: high blood pressure.
Celery Juice Lowers Blood Pressure
When you think about lowering blood pressure, celery probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But this crunchy vegetable deserves some serious attention. Loaded with potassium and magnesium, celery contains something even more important: 3-n-butyl-phthalide, a compound that relaxes the smooth muscle cells in the arterial walls, allowing the arteries to dilate and effectively lowering blood pressure.
One of the physicians at Whitaker Wellness decided to put celery to the test. Every day for a month, she and her father juiced and drank one bunch of celery, mixed with a little orange juice for flavor (it’s somewhat bitter on its own). Her father’s systolic blood pressure went from 148 to 128 and hers went from 120 to 105. Imagine results this dramatic without dangerous prescription drugs!
Another great juice for people with hypertension is Low-Sodium V8 Juice. It works on two fronts to lower blood pressure. First, it contains a particularly high dose of potassium (840 mg per eight ounces) that helps keep blood pressure in check. Second, according to a study recently published in JAMA, it is an effective blood thinner, which further contributes to its antihypertensive effects. For Ted, one of my longtime patients, simply drinking 12 ounces of Low-Sodium V8 Juice daily was enough to keep his blood pressure in the normal range.
Cabbage Juice Heals the Stomach
Roman statesman Cato the Elder wrote more than 2,000 years ago that, as a digestive aid, “Cabbage surpasses all vegetables.” One reason is its high content of glutamine, an amino acid that serves as a primary fuel for the rapidly dividing cells of the GI mucosa. Multiple studies support cabbage’s reputation as a therapy for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, especially ulcers, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In one of them, cabbage juice healed peptic and duodenal ulcers in an incredible 92 percent of cases studied!
One person who swears by cabbage juice is a patient we’ll call Betty, who was recently at the clinic. Betty was plagued with inflammation of the stomach lining and severe acid reflux. Her conventional doctor tried her on all the usual drugs, but nothing alleviated her pain or reduced the frequency of her episodes-until she came across an article on cabbage juice and decided to give it a shot.
Now whenever Betty has a flare-up, she drinks the juice from half a head of cabbage (yielding approximately four ounces of pleasant-tasting, slightly sweet juice) five times a day for about three days, in addition to copious amounts of water. This three day-regimen keeps her problem-free for eight or nine months-and I’ll bet if she drank it religiously, she wouldn’t have any problems at all.
Sauerkraut has also been touted for its ability to heal the stomach. In addition to the healthful compounds found in cabbage, this fermented food and its juice are also an excellent source of beneficial bacteria that nurture the GI tract. Eldon, a Health & Healing subscriber, eats it right from the jar to quell heartburn.
Cherry Juice Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Cherries make a mean pie, but a pain reliever? In recent years, cherries have been discovered to contain potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins and other flavonoids that work on the same inflammation pathways as aspirin and NSAIDs to reduce pain. In fact, researchers from Michigan State University found that just 10 tart cherries pack the same pain-relieving punch as one or two aspirin-and offer a wallop of antioxidants to boot.
Cherries have also been shown to reduce gout. Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid, which crystallizes in the joints and causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation. In a study conducted at the University of California Davis, eating eight ounces of cherries significantly reduced levels of plasma urate, a marker of uric acid. Cherries also produced small but notable decreases in markers of inflammation.
Francis, a friend of mine, squelches the gout pain in his big toe by eating cherries. And J. Otto Garry, a subscriber from Tamarac, Florida, has had great success treating his arthritis with cherry juice. He drinks three ounces in the morning and another three ounces in the evening to reduce and prevent inflammation. He also includes cod liver oil in his juice and takes alfalfa tablets along with it, which add to its anti-inflammatory value.
Cranberry Juice for UTIs
Everybody knows that cranberry juice can prevent and treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), but have you ever wondered why? Cranberries contain a combination of anthocyanins (the phytonutrient that gives both cranberries and cherries their rich color) and a unique sugar called mannose. Together, these compounds are responsible for thwarting UTIs by making it impossible for bacteria to cling to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract.
Ann, a subscriber I met at a Subscriber Seminar a while back, told me she used to have frequent UTIs until she started keeping a bottle of unsweetened cranberry juice in her fridge. Now when she feels a flare-up coming on, she drinks a glass or two daily for a few days, and she never gets infections anymore.
Judicious Juicing
As a general rule of thumb, I don’t recommend drinking a lot of fruit juice as it is loaded with sugar and calories. However, the juices listed above boast too many healing properties to ignore. Judicious juicing offers an easy way to drink to your health and naturally knock out many pressing health concerns. Bottoms up!
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