Magnesium

Magnesium and calcium are minerals found in large amounts in the body.

Magnesium is available at Physician Formulas

Magnesium could help build bone strength
Making sure young girls get enough magnesium may help keep their bones strong. Magnesium plays a key role in bone formation, and many young women don't get enough of the mineral. To better understand the role of magnesium supplements and bone health in a healthy population, researchers randomized 44 girls aged 8 to 14 to take 300 mg of magnesium daily for one year or a placebo. All of the girls had intakes of the mineral that were below 220 mg a day; the recommended daily allowance for magnesium is 240 mg for girls aged 8 to 13 and 360 mg for girls 14 to 18 years old.
The girls given magnesium showed significantly greater bone mineral content in the hip than those who took placebo, while their spinal bone mineral content also was greater, but not significantly so, the researchers found. No serious magnesium side effects were seen, aside from diarrhea in a few study participants. There is some evidence that young US women aren't getting enough magnesium, and that the number who is deficient in the mineral is on the rise. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, December 2006.

Magnesium and tetanus
Dr. Hoffman has interviewed Dr. Carolyn Dean on the topic of magnesium. We recommend magnesium as possible first line therapy in the routine management of tetanus.

Magnesium as first line therapy in the management of tetanus: a prospective study of 40 patients.
Blackwell Synergy: Anaesthesia, Vol 57, Issue 8, pp. 778-817: Anaesthesia Volume 57 Issue 8 Page 778 - August 2002. Magnesium as first line therapy in the management of tetanus: a prospective study of 40 patients. D. Attygalle1 and N. Rodrigo.
Prospective observational study was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulphate for control of spasms and autonomic dysfunction in 40 patients with tetanus. Magnesium was infused intravenously, aiming to control spasms despite suppression of patellar reflex or respiratory insufficiency. Spasms were controlled in 38 of the 40 patients within a serum Mg2+ range of 2–4 mmol.l1 with only two patients needing additional neuromuscular blocking drugs. Seventeen of 24 patients (< 60 years) and six of 16 patients (= 60 years) did not require ventilatory support. Thirty-six patients were conscious and co-operative throughout their management. Sympathetic over-activity was controlled without supplementary sedation. Overall mortality was 12%; all five deaths were in patients = 60 years and no deaths were due to autonomic dysfunction. We recommend magnesium as possible first line therapy in the routine management of tetanus.