Dr. Bob Rothan, DDS | Balancing the Calcium Magnesium Levels in Your Body: Perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT KEY to Your Good Health!

Health Implications with Regard to Calcium / Magnesium Levels in the Body

by Dr. Robert J. Rothan, DDS

From my unique perspective of seeing patients over a 40+ year period and having the opportunity to observe the effects of nutritional habits on their overall state of health and gum tissue health on an ongoing basis, I have made some startling observations! While there is a great deal of information available on health and nutrition, I believe the information I present here to be largely overlooked.

The correct balance of Calcium and Magnesium in the body plays a crucial role in our health. What’s more, I have found the contemporary American diet has created an injurious calcium / magnesium imbalance of epidemic proportion! Please review the “Symptoms of Calcium / Magnesium Imbalance” in the following pages and consider the possibility of your body’s Calcium / Magnesium balance.

There Is a Serious and Growing Health Crisis Promoted
by Taking Large Doses of Calcium Without Magnesium!

At an almost epidemic rate we are seeing mature women (especially) who are suffering from some or all of these symptoms: leg cramps, joint stiffness and pain, arthritis, nighttime sleeplessness, night time urination, unexplained heart palpitations, low energy and fatigue, and other magnesium deficiency symptoms. For details visit: www.dr.bobrothan.com.

Today, statistics on our typical refined food diet and my personal clinical experience, tells me that almost 70% of our people are already magnesium deficient! Taking large doses of calcium without magnesium makes the deficiency many times worse and promotes heart disease, diabetes, major pain from muscle spasms, cramps, osteoarthritis, and more.

For verification, go to the internet and read the mountains of research done by Paul Mason on www.mgwater.com , and the book, The Magnesium Miracle by Carolyn Dean, MD., ND.

Calcium supplements alone may increase heart attack risk in women

Source: IAN REED, MD, is professor of medicine and endocrinology, University of Auckland, New Zealand, and author of a study of 1,471 postmenopausal women, published in British Medical Journal.

Women ages 55 and older who took 1000 mg of calcium daily were 50% to 70% more likely to have heart attacks over five years than women taking placebos. Men were not studied.

Our comment on this study: you will note that this study was done with a very absorbable source of calcium and NO MAGNESIUM, THEREFORE A TREMENDOUS MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY WAS CREATED!

MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY: Important Health facts

1. Calcium and phosphorus without adequate levels of magnesium form hard salt deposits in the body!
Potential results: heart disease, strokes, osteoarthritis, kidney stones, calcium deposits anywhere in the body.

2. Calcium causes muscles to contract, magnesium causes muscles to relax.
Potential results: Heart attack, unexplained heart palpitations, strokes, various types of muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, athletic muscle cramps and heart symptoms, constipation, twitching eyes and facial muscles, TM Joint problems, headaches, high blood pressure, physical pain and inflammation.

3. Magnesium must be present for all energy release in the body!
Potential contributing effects: low energy, tiredness, fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome.

4. Additional important facts about magnesium deficiency: Magnesium deficiency promotes dry mouth and lack of saliva, serious tooth decay, poor sleep and night time urination. Magnesium is needed for over 300 different enzyme reactions.

5. If you don’t remember dreaming when you wake up you are most likely Vitamin B-6 deficient! Vitamin B-6 is important for the absorption and utilization of magnesium!
Potential results: poor digestion, lack of stomach acid which results in poor mineral absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, etc, poor digestion of protein (the body’s building block). Inadequate breakdown of protein can promote allergies, and SURPRISINGLY the lack of natural stomach acid can result in “acid indigestion” and acid reflux! You read this right!

6. The body will always do what it must do to maintain a 7.4 pH (slightly alkaline) of the blood because that is what it needs to maintain crucial enzyme reactions! Potential results: if the fluids in your body are too acidic due to soda pop, sugar, caffeine, refined foods, white flour, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, lack of pure water, unforgiveness, then the blood must take calcium and magnesium from wherever it can get it (the bones, the muscles, the heart, the joints).

Please feel free to print this chart for your daily use and reference and email this site to your friends.

Clinical Symptoms of Magnesium Shortage:
*low energy (MVP) mitral valve prolapse
*bleeding gums
*poor nails
*tiredness
*fatigue
*diabetes
*edema, swelling
*elevated blood sugar
*(CFS) chronic fatigue syndrome
*frequent urination (especially at night)
*low blood sugar symptoms
*(FM) fibromyalgia syndrome
*calcium deposit problems dizziness, blacking out, sleeplessness
*muscle spasm or cramps
*stiff joints
*emotional outbursts
*menstrual cramps or pains
*arthritis
*emotional over reaction
*PMS kidney stones
*depression
*headache
*bursitis
*nervousness
*heart palpitation
*dry mouth
*reduced memory
*racing heart
*chilliness of the body
*DTs (delirium tremors)
*heart awareness
*spontaneous hip fracture
*brittle bones
*constipation
*diarrhea
*heart attacks
*irritable bowel syndrome
*coronary by-pass operations
*soft bones
*loss of appetite
*high blood pressure
*loose teeth low blood potassium
*high cholesterol
*craving for: sweets, caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, chocolate, etc.
*most commonly found symptoms

Circle your symptoms in the tables above. Use the Index below to record the number of symptoms you experience and note change as you explore the effects of Calcium / Magnesium supplementation in your body.

Magnesium Symptoms Index (Record total number of symptoms experienced):

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

Note: frequently ample magnesium will improve calcium deficiency because magnesium is needed in order for the body to use calcium.

Clinical Symptoms of Calcium Shortage:

*sleeplessness
*growing pains skin problems
*depression
*lack of menstrual period heart palpitations
*nervousness feeling spaced out arthritis
*cold sores grinding of teeth bone spurs
*canker sores teeth worn down poor nails
*herpes simplex lesions menstrual period prolonged joint stiffness
*roots of teeth sensitive menstrual cramps prolonged bleeding
*pain in bones lesions of mucous membrane impaired clotting
*headaches
*recurring bloody nose

*most commonly found symptoms

Calcium Symptoms Index (Record total number of symptoms experienced):

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

Important: Too much magnesium supplement can cause calcium deficiency symptoms such as canker sores, irritability, sleeplessness, depression, irritable stomach, diarrhea, etc. Balance is key!

Too much calcium can cause magnesium deficiency symptoms such as muscle cramps, fatigue, calcium deposits, etc.

Reevaluate your symptoms weekly, for at least one month:

Supplement Suggest-ions:	Total Tablets / Day	1/2 Hr. before Breakfast	Breakfast	Mid-Morning	Lunch	Mid-Afternoon	Supper	Bedtime

Causes of Magnesium Deficiency:

The following substances create magnesium deficiencies:

• Soda pop, including diet pop
• Sugar and sugar products
• Coffee, tea, chocolate, and caffeine products
• Alcohol, amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, crack, etc.
• Tobacco and tobacco products
• White flour products
• White rice
• Cheese especially, and all milk products

They are so high in calcium and low in magnesium that they tie up large quantities of the body’s magnesium stores creating a deficiency!

Some cheese (particularly in pizza) contain 28 parts calcium to one magnesium, and milk and other milk products contain about 10 parts calcium to only one part magnesium.

Remember! Calcium and phosphorus without adequate levels of magnesium will cause calcium salt deposits to form in the body! This tends to harden and clog the arteries, create kidney stones, and promote arthritis, and stiff joints!

Know that magnesium is absolutely essential for calcium to be used properly in the body! The three major hormones that control calcium are all dependent of magnesium!

Vitamin D allows calcium to be absorbed from the intestine. Magnesium is needed for this!

Magnesium keeps PTH (parathyroid hormone) from taking too much calcium out of the bones (major calcium storage site) when the body calls calcium out of the bones to keep the blood calcium levels up.

Magnesium is needed for TCT (thyrocalcitonin) to direct calcium into the bones to make them strong!

Preventing Magnesium Deficiency When Taking Calcium and Magnesium

Generally natural, unrefined foods contain an equal balance of Calcium and Magnesium, with the exception of milk products which have almost a nine to one Calcium to Magnesium ratio. But in the old days, milk products would be used mostly with whole grains (unrefined food) which have more Magnesium than Calcium, so things tended to balance in the Calcium Magnesium department.

Calcium and Magnesium supplementation works the best for most people when taken in equal quantities. Taking Calcium and Magnesium in a two to one ratio can make the Calcium usable in the body but does not usually cure a Magnesium deficiency because the body absorbs and utilizes Calcium in the same t two to one ratio.

Clinically, we have found the most effective way to supplement Magnesium and Calcium, for the majority of people, is to use a one to one ratio (equal parts Calcium and Magnesium). Vitamin-D is also needed for optimal utilization o f Calcium.

The type of Calcium and Magnesium taken is very important! Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Oxide do not work well because they are like ground up rock and are very poorly absorbed. Many people mistakenly think they have taken enough Magnesium when using this common supplement containing twice as much Calcium as Magnesium. Not so!

We find the most effective Calcium / Magnesium supplements are those found in the Krebs Cycle, chelated minerals, citrates, lactates, and aspartates. Our favorite for people with sleep and bone problems is Ultra Cal Nite by Source Naturals. It contains a one to one Calcium / Magnesium ratio, uses Krebs Cycle minerals, was designed to rebuild and repair bone at night and is extremely effective in helping people sleep well. Many people, especially women, find two tablets before bedtime improves sleep significantly! Disadvantages are it is a relatively large tablet and some may need to soak it in water before bedtime or crush it. It also contains some soy. Many find it to be a good energy producer.

The least amount of Magnesium that should ever be taken with Calcium is five parts Calcium to one of Magnesium and that is only for people suffering with cold sores, canker sores, herpes, cold or flu symptoms and wanting to shift a Calcium deficiency. Chronically taking antacids like Tums with Calcium, sucrose, and no Magnesium is asking for major health problems! Please read your labels!

People drinking large quantities of milk, or eating yogurt, might consider taking plain Magnesium like Ultra Mag,(Source Naturals), because a glass of milk or a container of yogurt has about 300 milligrams of Calcium to only about 30 milligrams of Magnesium. Consider chasing your container of yogurt or glass of milk with a tablet of Ultra Mag.

To summarize: It’s the balance of Calcium to Magnesium in the body that is most important. Taking a Calcium / Magnesium supplement that supplies Calcium and Magnesium in a two to one ration will not change an existing deficiency. Realize these are common conditions and each individual is different and lives with different circumstances. Pay close attention to your body and how you feel. As you explore your Calcium / Magnesium balance keep a record of your symptoms and reactions. Discuss your questions with a knowledgeable health care practitioner.

Avoid the Mineral Deficiency that Brings Pain, Fatigue
and the Diseases of Old Age

Magnesium deficiency promotes calcium deposits:
• Blocked coronary arteries
• Coronary by-pass operations, heart attacks, arthritis, senility

Magnesium deficiency promotes muscle spasms and cramps:
• Menstrual cramps
• Leg cramps
• Heart attacks
• High blood pressure
• Constipation
• Convulsions
• Magnesium deficiency promotes low energy:
• Low blood sugar
• Dizziness, blacking out
• Craving for sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and drugs
• High blood sugar, diabetes
• Hormonal imbalances
• Oxygen deficiency

Magnesium deficiency promotes:
• Water imbalances
• Water retention problems
• Night time urination
• Sodium-potassium imbalances
• Dry mouth
• Weak bones
• Slow healing
• Spontaneous hip and bone fractures
• Loose teeth, bleeding gums
• Sleeplessness
• Emotional distress and disorders
• Poor moods
• Emotional outbursts
• Depression

Making sure you have adequate levels of magnesium. It can make life much more enjoyable!!!

Best Sources of Magnesium:

One of the best supplement forms is ‘Ultra Mag’ made by Source Natural (200 mg tablets w/ B-6).

Liquid trace minerals (Bio Nativus) Minerals (minus the salt) from Utah’s Great Salt Lake – Directions: 7 drops in a glass of distilled water or 40 drops in a gallon – this is a beautiful source of Trace Minerals and has 6 mg of magnesium in each drop.
*Sipping water rich in Magnesium helps prevent kidney stones.

Chelated Magnesium made by Carlson is a good magnesium supplement (200 mg)

Good sources of magnesium from natural foods can be found in the supermarket or your favorite natural foods store. Organically grown foods are best and contain the most nutrients and fewest chemical additives: Rolled oats which can be made by just soaking some overnight in just enough water to cover them. You can put some raisins, and cinnamon in with them, and sweeten it with a tablespoon of honey.

Try to minimize the milk (85% of black people don’t digest it well because of the lack of lactase.) Cheerios without sugar, Wheatena, Uncle Ben’s Brown Rice.

Raw Almonds are one of the greatest sources of magnesium, and calcium. You can also use raw pecans, but it is best not to use the canned type containing extra oil and salt.

Raw or boiled peanuts, dry roasted peanuts, or natural peanut butter, the kind without hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. (Note: Many people do not digest peanuts well.)

All greens are loaded with magnesium, calcium and vitamin K, including dark green vegetables like green lettuce, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, raw spinach. If they are cooked in water, you need to drink the water, or put it in the soup because the magnesium dissolves in the water. Making soup with lots of greens, like parsley, is a great idea!

Vitamin K has recently been found to be essential for strong bones.

Make chicken soup, hamburger soup, etc. and cut up a whole bunch of parsley and put it in the soup. Adding Italian herbs or bouquet garnish adds great flavor.

Remember — Magnesium gives energy, helps prevent muscle cramps, heart attacks, arthritis, and kidney stones.

____________________________________________
For additional information and greater detail, please read:
“The Magnesium Miracle” by Dr. Carolyn Dean

Robert J. Rothan, D.D.S.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
513.470.6798

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This program or any recommended products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.