magnesium and seizures

[Guest guest]

its better to use chelated forms of magnesium as the inorganic forms

feed yeast imo.

anway from willis

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Williss/message/5120

www.danalaake.com/newsletter.asp?article=6----------------------------

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Magnesium and Seizure Disorder

Patients being evaluated for seizure disorder should also be

evaluated for magnesium status. Not only is low magnesium a risk

factor for seizures, the mineral is an important part of therapy for

seizure disorders. Pregnant women with diagnosis of eclampsia (which

includes severe seizures) were divided into two treatment groups: (1)

magnesium sulphate and (2) an anti-seizure medication (phentoin /

Dilantin). Magnesium was more effective than the anti-seizure

medication. Infants with low levels of magnesium are most

susceptible to seizures and may also develop other problems including

apnea and rapid heart rate. A new finding indicates an increase in

head size as a symptom in magnesium deficiency. When magnesium

deficiency is the underlying issue, the seizures are usually

resistant to medication and the longer the patient is untreated by

magnesium, the more permanent the damage.

Note: One of our young patients responded dramatically to magnesium.

After one year on multiple medications, with persistence of the

seizures, this toddler was constantly sleeping due as a side-effect

of the drugs and had ceased to develop milestones as a result.

Within months of being on magnesium, she was seizure-free, walking

and beginning to talk and off all medications. Magnesium therapy

does not interfere with development, is remarkably free of side-

effects and addressed the underlying issue for this child.

Magnesium is important for over 300 different enzyme reactions, the

most important of which involves energy metabolism (known at ATP).

It is important in amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, DNA,

hormone regulation, cardiac muscle contraction, smooth muscle

contraction and the reaction of blood vessels. Low levels result in

the following: fatigue, nausea/vomiting, mood changes, depression,

muscle spasms, muscle trigger points, osteoporosis, headaches,

tremors, twitching, exaggerated reflexes including startle, abnormal

cardiac rhythm, palpitations, high blood pressure, constipation,

kidney stones, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, and seizures

especially in infants. The following can result in low levels of

magnesium: diarrhea, alcohol, excess caffeine, malabsorption,

malnutrition, vomiting, diuretics, and antibiotics. Routine serum

levels are not the test of choice - they are regulated by kidneys and

do not diminish until extreme late stages. Since 99% of magnesium is

inside the cells, the best tests are “intracellular†- such as

white cells or red cell measures.

References:

Eur J Pediatr 2000:159(1-2):38-4.

Indian J Med SCI 1998:52(12):541-7.

Eur J Neurol 1999:6(6):705-709.

Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. Groff. 1995.

Arch Dis Child 1999:81(6):505-7.

Principles of Nutritional Assessment. Gibson