Let me give you some examples of the research supporting many of these benefits.
1. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial found that administering IV magnesium sulfate to 2,000 patients within 24 hours of a heart attack resulted in 24% fewer deaths. Following up on these patients for one to five years later, the researchers additionally discovered that the patients initially treated with magnesium had a cardiovascular death rate 21% lower than those who did not receive the magnesium.
2. A Korean study found that patients with hypertension who took 300 mg of magnesium daily for three months lowered their systolic/diastolic blood pressure 17.1 and 6.7 mmHG. The researchers also found that for every dose increase of 240 mg of magnesium the patient was taking, the patient’s blood pressure dropped another 4.3 and 2.3 mmHG. These numbers mean an enormous drop in the risk of having a stroke or a heart attack.
3. On the use of magnesium for stopping an acute asthma attack, an interesting survey was conducted of emergency room doctors in 2006. This survey found that even though the majority of the docs knew about the research supporting using magnesium for asthma only 2.5% of the patients having an acute asthma attack were treated with IV magnesium. So…if you or a loved one has an acute asthma attack, question the doc as to why IV magnesium is not being used.
4. A review of studies found that for every 100 mg increase in the daily intake of magnesium there was a 15% decrease in the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Taking magnesium is important for type-2 diabetics because increased urination causes the loss of water-soluble nutrients. Low levels of magnesium may cause severe diabetic retinopathy.
How much magnesium should you be taking? Dr. Julian Whitaker recommends 400 to 1000 mg daily. Since large amounts of magnesium can cause diarrhea, build up your dose gradually.
(Reported Health & Healing August 2009)