How Important Are Magnesium and Colloidal Minerals? A mutual agreement now exists between the medical and complementary health communities on the fact that a wide range of minerals is essential for human health. Nutrient deficiencies or excesses can influence disease states. According to Dr. Joel Wallach, mineral deficiencies have been proven to be the direct cause of early deaths in elite and world famous athletes as well as other groups of the population.

As an example of how minerals work in the body, magnesium is directly involved in 300 bodily functions, and is one of the most essential minerals to our wellbeing. After potassium, magnesium is the second highest mineral level inside our cells. It is directly involved in many of our bodily functions and processes. A magnesium deficiency may contribute to developing osteoporosis, as it is needed for the absorption of calcium- along with vitamin D, potassium and boron. This is why a number of calcium supplement formulations include magnesium, because of its bioavailability and its synergistic effect.

A magnesium deficiency may present any number of symptoms (described below). If you experience any one of these, chances are you have a magnesium deficiency.

A magnesium mineral deficiency may cause the following symptoms:

* Nervous anxiety
* Depression
* Constipation
* High blood pressure
* Sleeplessness
* Muscle weakness, cramps and spasms (this one is a definite sign of magnesium deficiency, possibly even calcium)
* Premenstrual Syndrome
* Hearth rhythm irregularities/ angina
* Cravings for chocolate and caffeine (which also causes the body to lose more magnesium)
* Back pain
* Headaches, cluster headaches, migraines
* Stiff and aching muscles
* Bones and joints that need continued chiropractic treatment
* Hypoglycaemia
* Diabetes
* Nervousness
* Hyperactivity
* Osteoporosis
* Kidney stones
* Attention deficit disorder [ADD]
* Adrenal exhaustion/chronic fatigue syndrome
* Exhaustion from exercise

Magnesium has been recognised as a treatment for high blood pressure in pregnancy, as well as an anticonvulsant. It is essential for many metabolic processes - especially in maintaining correct levels of sodium, potassium and calcium in the body. Magnesium is a most important nutrient for the cardiovascular system, heart muscle function and muscle contraction. It is involved in about 300 biochemical processes in the body and is important for body temperature regulation, bone strength, dilation of blood vessels, and in the production of energy. In addition, it helps reduce the risk of forming kidney stones, as it is directly involved in helping the body utilise calcium from dietary sources. It is involved in muscle contraction – hence, its close association with the cardiovascular system - and in relaxing the muscles and calming the entire nervous system, which also helps us to sleep better.

Doctors have been prescribing magnesium for heart disease since the 1930's. A review of seven major clinical studies showed that intravenous magnesium reduced the odds of death by more than half in patients suffering acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

During and after a heart attack, people can suffer:

•Extension of the area of heart damage, as calcium floods into the muscle
•Blood clotting, which blocks blood vessels in the heart muscle
•Decreased blood flow, as blood vessels go into spasm
•Arrhythmia, as the areas where muscle contraction in the heart originate are damaged

Magnesium is able to:

•Dilate blood vessels
•Prevent spasm in the heart muscle and blood vessel walls
•Counteract the action of calcium, which increases spasm
•Help dissolve blood clots
•Dramatically lessen the site of injury and prevent arrhythmia
•Act as an antioxidant against the free radicals forming at the site of injury

Foods that are high in magnesium include kelp powder, raw almonds, whole grain cereals (especially buckwheat), broccoli, sesame seeds, blackstrap molasses and green peas. However, we need to have these foods on a regular, daily basis in order to obtain the recommended daily dose of 400 – 500mg from dietary sources, which is not always possible or convenient. In addition, if we exercise and sweat, we need extra magnesium (as well as other minerals) as we lose substantial amounts of minerals during sweating - particularly calcium and magnesium.

One of the best ways to prevent magnesium deficiency is to take Colloidal Minerals - because the body absorbs 98% of these plant-derived minerals, as opposed to metallic minerals sources that come from ancient sea beds, ground up rock and soil and are only 8% absorbed by the body. Colloidal Minerals from plant sources are non-toxic and negatively charged; therefore, they are water soluble and easily dissolved without becoming involved in the digestive process. The natural negative electrical charge (which is a true hallmark of plant derived minerals) has significant benefits.

•It greatly increases the transport and bio-availability of other nutrients obtained from foods.
•It will attract toxins and heavy metals from the body and "flush" them out. (Clinical tests conducted in the U.S and Germany verify this.)

In essence, Colloidal Minerals are more beneficial in supporting magnesium deficiency or other mineral deficiency, as they exhibit properties that enhance absorption. Principles of biochemistry support the view that Colloidal Minerals may be more bio-available than minerals in solid supplement or food forms.

Another good thing about Colloidal Minerals is that they are non-toxic, unlike other forms of mineral supplements, which can cause toxicity. If one were to take too much magnesium from other sources, the body will flush it out via stools. This is why taking magnesium as a supplement helps with constipation. It does not cause diarrhoea - although it does provide the bowel with extra fluid, which makes the stools more watery and easier for the body to eliminate. This is a much more natural and gentler alternative to harsh senna laxatives, which force peristalsis.

Diagnosing ourselves and implementing right supplementation for our unique lifestyles and bodily needs may prove to be a daunting task and not always accurate. It would be more appropriate to use the body's own biofeedback system - muscle-monitoring (as used in kinesiology) - to identify any deficiencies/excesses in the mind-body system. Simultaneously, this will identify the appropriate form of supplementation and the adequate amounts for each individual's unique physiological scenario.