MAGNESIUM

Mg is a component of every body cell
the body contains 20-30 g. of magnesium (60% in the skeleton and 40% in the soft tissues)

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allows for smooth functioning of the nervous sysem, helping in the task of transmitting nerve impulses
more than 300 enzyme systems depend on magnesium
half of the body's Mg is stored in the bones
the kidneys monitor the amount of Mg in the blood
required for synthesis & output of adrenal hormones required to regulate the stress response

drugs that cause the body to excrete more Mg or lose it from the blood include some antibiotics, anticonvulsants, diuretics, the antigout drug probenecid and the heart drug digitalis
alcohol can also interfere with Mg nutrition
80% of the Mg in a whole grain is lost with removal of the germ
Mg is one of the 8 nutrients required for the proper metabolism of carbohydrates
RDA for men is 350 mg. and for women it is 280 mg.
Mg is lost in sweat
hemolysis, destruction of RBCs, falsely increases serum levels of Mg
symptoms of deficiency: cramps, muscle ticks and tremors, and muscle weakness
magnesium oxide, a common source of Mg in multi vitamin/mineral supplements, is only 1/10 as bioavailable as magnesium aspartate

with sound kidneys there is no evidence of toxicity up to 6000 mg.
healthy kidneys will go to great lengths to keep too much Mg from accumulating in the body, specifically in the blood
Mg overload is called hypermagnesmia and generally refers to a blood Mg level greater than 2.5 milliequivalents/millileter
may get too much Mg from Mg-rich antacids, laxatives, or supplements
dolomite is a source of Mg but a poor one because it almost always contains high levels of toxic metals, such as lead
infants, children, pregnant women, mothers-to-be, nursing mothers and the elderly (as well as the rest of the health conscious population) should therefore avoid dolomite
milk and other dairy products are usually also a source of these toxic substances and should thus be avoided
high doses of Mg and impaired kidneys do not go well together
Mg decreases body's ability to absorb tetracycline
lithium can increase blood Mg level
an intake of 1000 mg. (diet and supplement combined) has a high degree of safety in the absence of kidney impairment