The Vitamin Cure. Monte Lai

       • Side effects. Too much sodium in salty foods burdens the body. The body needs an extra amount of water to dilute the high blood sodium concentration. To do that, the kidneys inhibit the excretion of water in the urine and reabsorb excreted water back into the bloodstream, causing expansion of the blood volume, which exerts extra pressure against the arterial wall, particularly in the heart and brain, leading to the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

       • Stomach cancer. High consumption of salty foods can induce chronic inflammation in the stomach, increasing the risk of infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria and stomach cancer.

       • Kidney stones. High dietary intake of sodium can raise the calcium ion concentration in the kidneys and urinary tract and elevate the risk of kidney stone formation.

       • Medications like diuretics, morphine, and antidepressant drugs can cause sodium deficiency.

       • Cellular energy. Magnesium ions are required to support enzymatic reactions during the conversion of glucose to high-energy ATP in cells. The ATPase enzymes that catalyze ATP to release energy and thus maintain all normal physiological functions—such as reading, writing, walking, talking, and thinking—require magnesium ions as contributing constituents. Therefore, magnesium ions are needed for the activation and activities of ATP and ATPase that are related to cellular energy production.

       • Bone health. Magnesium ions participate in maintaining the strength and hardness of the bones. They are present in a crystalline form inside bones as well as in a cationic form on the surface of bones. Magnesium ions present on the surface of bones are in dynamic equilibrium with magnesium ions in the bloodstream. When more blood magnesium ions are needed, the bones release magnesium ions into the bloodstream. When too many magnesium ions are present in the bloodstream, the bones absorb excessive magnesium ions from the bloodstream. Magnesium ions are required for the functions of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts in bone tissue.

       • Blood glucose. Magnesium ions can enhance cellular insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. Insulin helps magnesium ions enter the pancreatic cells and enhance insulin production. The interplay between magnesium and insulin regulates the blood level of glucose. Insulin resistance blocks magnesium ions from entering into the cells and furthermore increases urine excretion, leading to magnesium deficiency.

       • Blood pressure. Magnesium ions prevent calcium ions from entering into endothelial cells in the blood vessels. They act like natural calcium channel blockers. In addition, magnesium ions induce the dilatation of the blood vessels and decrease intracellular sodium concentrations, hence lowering blood pressure.

       • The major symptoms of magnesium deficiency are muscle spasms, atrial fibrillation, and seizure. Although magnesium deficiency is rare, magnesium insufficiency is rather common. In the US, 65% of people have an insufficient dietary intake of magnesium, and 81% of people aged 71 years and older are magnesium insufficient.

       • Certain acute and chronic diseases can give rise to magnesium deficiency. These diseases include digestive disorders and kidney and endocrine malfunctions. Digestive disorders include malnutrition, severe vomiting, acute and chronic diarrhea, and acute pancreatitis. Antacid medications can also lead to magnesium deficiency. Diuretics, hypercalcemia, acute renal failure, alcoholism, and renal toxins, such as cisplatin and amphotericin B, contribute to renal malfunctions. Endocrine malfunctions include type 2 diabetes, phosphate deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, and hyperparathyroidism.

       • Prevention. Meta-analysis confirms that magnesium supplements can help prevent cardiovascular disease (48), metabolic syndrome (87), colorectal cancer (56), heart disease (73), stroke (108), type 2 diabetes (60), and migraines (88).

       • Treatment. Meta-analysis confirms that magnesium supplements can help treat hypertension (78).