Diabetes, Calcium and Magnesium wondering...

[januaria]

I was at my endo Friday, and she said I must take 1250 mg of calcium citrate, since I have osteoporosis from prednisone use. However, since it is my understanding that many diabetics are low on magnesium and that calcium and magnesium balance each other, I am wondering if I will need to supplement with that as well (she did not mention this) and if so, how much.

It is also my understanding that magnesium is not well asborbed taken by mouth. This may seem like a dumb-ass question, but would anyone know if bathing in magnesium sulphate (epsom salts) would get magnesium into the body, since poutices or compresses for the foot are sold now, and the claim is that this is better absorbed - or if magnesium sulphate is even remotely the same thing?

Since people here are usually better informed that most doctors about stuff like this, I thought I would ask you.

[dancinbr]

I know I take 1000mg of magnesium a day.

I also know there is all kinds of controversy as to what kind of magnesium, COQ10 or whatever is best absorbed.

I am trying to catch up on all this stuff.

There are some magnesium formula out there being promoted by the "natural" alternative Doctors such as Dr. Al Sears, Dr. Mercola, Dr. Blaylock.

Right now I am focusing in on CO-Q10 and the fact that there are two types ubiquinone versus ubiquinol the latter being absorbed 8 times better but also costs about twice as much. Currently researching that.

Magnesium is also an issue with absorbtion so I am checking into what compounds are better absorbed than others.

Not much help there yet.

Your idea of soaking is interesting, but....

I have no idea.

Ralph

[Cajunboy47]

Do's and Don'ts of Exercise for Osteoporosis

Following these rules may help maintain current bone density and help prevent fractures in individuals with osteoporosis:

Do get a bone density test.

Get a bone density test and talk to your physician to see if exercise is safe for you. Individuals with severe osteoporosis may not be a candidate for exercise. A bone density test is the only way to accurately diagnose and determine the severity of the osteoporosis.

Do weight bearing exercises.

Weight bearing exercises can include fast walking, gardening and squats. Weight bearing exercises includes any exercise that is done on your feet with your bones supporting the weight of the body.

Do resistance and strength training exercises.

Strength training exercises are done by using weights, weight machines and elastic bands to add resistance to the bones. A physical therapist can perform an evaluation to determine and set up an appropriate strength training program.

Do balance exercises.

Balance exercises can help prevent falls and lower the risk of fractures. Balance exercises may include aquatic therapy, walking or simply standing on one leg.

Do not do flexion exercises.

Avoid sit ups or any exercise that has you bend at the waist. Bending at the waist can cause the spinal bones to compress, possible resulting in a fracture. Avoid all bending movements even when not exercising.

Do not do high impact exercises.

Avoid running, jogging, jumping, tennis and dancing if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. These high impact exercises can put stress on the spine causing a spinal fracture.

Do not twist the spine.

Avoid twisting and turning the spine. Twisting or turning the spine to quickly can result in a spinal fracture. Avoid any motion that requires a twisting motion, such as a golf swing.

Staying active with osteoporosis can help maintain bone mass and prevent further bone loss. Talk to a physician or physical therapist to find an appropriate exercise plan.

ref: http://womenshealth.suite101.com/article.cfm/osteoporosis_exercise

------------------------------------------------------------

Take whatever supplement, but don't forget to exercise. :)

[jschwab]

Someone else on this list bathes in Epsom salts to get her magnesium. When I took calcium I took it as a Calcium Magnesium combo pill called Cal/Mag citrate. Also, eat broth made from bones - the calcium leaches into the broth. Spices and chocolate and sea salt are good sources of magnesium.

[Nancy LC]

Yes, you can absorb magnesium through the skin. Taking magnesium orally isn't well absorbed, thus the diarrhea if you take too much. But there are some sorts that are better absorbed than others, like the ones ending in -ate.

That's about all I know about magnesium.

[januaria]

Someone else on this list bathes in Epsom salts to get her magnesium. When I took calcium I took it as a Calcium Magnesium combo pill called Cal/Mag citrate. Also, eat broth made from bones - the calcium leaches into the broth. Spices and chocolate and sea salt are good sources of magnesium.

Wow - great response from all - thank you! I eat bone broth every day, (I make a pot of home-made vegetable soup every morning - family tradition) exercise daily, take COQ10 and a 'greens' whole food vitamin and mineral supplement and eat lots of leafy greens. I was extremely grateful for the info on spine twisting and bending since the osteoporosis is in my spine only - my femurs and neck are compared to a 20 yr old adult and my spine to a 70 yr old adult according to my last bone density test (2005 - I have asked for another, but we have socialized medicine here and can only get one every few years - we are not allowed to pay for one if we want another sooner unless we go to the USA to get one). I also take about 4000 units vitamin D daily since I have almost zero sun exposure. (something I plan to correct this spring).

I do dancercise and the Curves aerobic trotting in place, and had not previously thought it would be an issue, so Ron, I am eternally grateful for that info! I plan to ask my doc about it and ask for a referral to a specialist on this. I walked everywhere before I became ill in 1992, and must have built up some good bone, but twelve years of forced inactivity probably did eat away at my bones.

I do know, re: magnesium sulphate, from the women in my small town on the Scottish coast, that bathing in this is good for lots of stuff - it was made in the village next to ours for centuries, in the cottages, hence the name of the place: Saltcoats, from salt cots, cots being short for cottages. So it became a habit for me to bathe in it all the time, because all the women did, having discovered by working with it for generations that it was healing.

I saw the foot pad delivery system on mercola.com so I thought I would ask if anyone had tried it or knew of its efficacy. Thanks again everyone!

[januaria]

Well, I thought I would google this question of manesium sulphate as a treatment for low magnesium and found that bathing in it is a remedy to correct hypomagnesia. By the way, I give it to my tomatoes at planting time and they are excellent.

reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate

[dancinbr]

Well, I thought I would google this question of manesium sulphate as a treatment for low magnesium and found that bathing in it is a remedy to correct hypomagnesia. By the way, I give it to my tomatoes at planting time and they are excellent.

reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate

I definitely have to update what I take for magnesium.

It is an oxide, which I do not believe is well absorbed.

Hmmmm

Ralph

[Nancy LC]

Wow - great response from all - thank you! I eat bone broth every day, (I make a pot of home-made vegetable soup every morning -
You might enjoy reading this article on bone marrow (http://drbganimalpharm.blogspot.com/2009/01/bone-marrow-immunoprotective-and.html).

[eddiemcm]

Magnesium citrate is supposedly the best absorbed of
magnesium supplement pills-I take 500 mg a day.
Eddie

[Hutchinson]

Magnesium Chloride (http://www.health-science-spirit.com/magnesiumchloride.html)
This is best bought in 25kg bags from equine/country stores/pet food supplies type places, in the UK it's roughly £6.00 a bag.
A jugful of this in a hot bath soak for 20mins and you'll get a good nights sleep. If you haven't a bath then soak your feet in a concentrated solution.If you grind your teeth (bruxism) clench your jays when sleeping then you are almost certainly short of magnesium.

Magnesium protects your nerves from excess stress, particularly important for teachers and others (teenagers) to protect the nerves in the ears from loud noise.

It works out cheaper than magnesium sulphate.

Krispin Magnesium page (http://www.krispin.com/magnes.html) Krispin swears by Albion Chelates. (http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=-7395569238537246393) my Iherb code is WAB666 if you want a $5 introductory Iherb discount.

I've been using 600mg daily of magnesium malate and I'm sure that helps. If you have mental health problems then I suspect that magnesium taurinate is better for the brain. I found the citrate version tended to produce loose stools.
Oxide is the least well absorbed.

to add to Nancy's link here Stephan on bone marrow stock (http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/search?q=bone+marrow+stock) You should be able to scrounge marrow bones from a proper butcher. In the UK I've been scrounging bones for free for some time. A pressure cooker speeds up the process if you haven't time for the slow simmer method. It really does make a great base for a soup. Absolutely nothing like a stock cube. When the soup is cold it's solid like a strong jelly. A little vinegar in the stock water when you do the bones enhances the calcium content. Even when I use the pressure cooker I still let it stand in the slightly acid water overnight to give it plenty of time to acquire as much calcium as possible.

[Nancy LC]

I am right now sipping a cup of ginger chicken broth wondering how I had forgotten how good home made stock/broth is.

[JLx]

My favorite kind of magnesium is magnesium taurate. It's the least likely to cause diarrhea, in my experience. Mg citrate is the most likely of the kinds that end in -ate. I also take magnesium glycinate, mg malate, and magnesium orotate.

It's hard to know what your dose is using Epsom salt baths, but I would say that's the only drawback to that form.

I first started taking magnesium for depression a few years back after I read this guy's website (and haven't taken an antidepressant, since, btw :)) Here is his discussion of Epsom Salt baths: http://george-eby-research.com/html/depression-anxiety.html#bath

[januaria]

If you grind your teeth (bruxism) clench your jays when sleeping then you are almost certainly short of magnesium.

That's me. Wake up every morning with a sore neck from grinding my teeth. And I am also depression prone, but had not linked it to magnesium deficiency - something I will have to investigate. What excellent information I have received to my asnswer from all. Thanks so much!

[januaria]

I first started taking magnesium for depression a few years back after I read this guy's website (and haven't taken an antidepressant, since, btw :)) Here is his discussion of Epsom Salt baths: http://george-eby-research.com/html/depression-anxiety.html#bath

Well, I have been bathing in it since childhood, but not often enough it seems! I knew it had relaxing and restorative properties, as well as healing for all kinds of skin infections (which is what it was used for in our family as well as relaxing sore foot muscles); this article is most welcome. I am printing it out and adding it to my collection of diabetes info. Thank you so much for the link!

[awriter]

Right now I am focusing in on CO-Q10 and the fact that there are two types ubiquinone versus ubiquinol the latter being absorbed 8 times better but also costs about twice as much.
Ralph,

Not at http://www.swansonvitamins.com

I've found them to be the least expensive Ubiquinol on the net, though they limit you to 3 bottles at a time. Still, each bottle has 60 caps, which is a 2 month supply, so 3 bottles lasts me half a year, which is fine.

The 50 mg. supply is less than $13 - and the 100 mg. supply is a bit over $23. I get the 100 mg. and take 1 cap a day.

Hope this helps!

Lisa

[Lisa N]

it is my understanding that many diabetics are low on magnesium

From what I've read, the majority of people, at least in North America, are magnesium deficient since there are few good dietary sources (I think peanuts are one). If you have well water, you might not be, though, since ground water tends to be a good source of magnesium.


Magnesium protects your nerves from excess stress, particularly important for teachers and others (teenagers) to protect the nerves in the ears from loud noise.

That's an interesting tidbit...my oldest dd is very sensitive to loud noises (it's physically painful for her) and I've recently started her on magnesium...I'll have to ask her if it seems to help.

[dancinbr]

Ralph,

Not at http://www.swansonvitamins.com

I've found them to be the least expensive Ubiquinol on the net, though they limit you to 3 bottles at a time. Still, each bottle has 60 caps, which is a 2 month supply, so 3 bottles lasts me half a year, which is fine.

The 50 mg. supply is less than $13 - and the 100 mg. supply is a bit over $23. I get the 100 mg. and take 1 cap a day.

Hope this helps!

Lisa

Thank you Lisa.

I will order some immediately.

Ralph

[januaria]

discussion of Epsom Salt baths: http://george-eby-research.com/html/depression-anxiety.html#bath

I went to this website you had posted and was busy for an hour or two reading the information there - excellent stuff. The studies were particularly illuminating. thanks so much for posting it.

April.

[januaria]

[QUOTE=Lisa N] If you have well water, you might not be, though, since ground water tends to be a good source of magnesium. [QUOTE]

I do have well water, have had for six years although for forty years I drank heavily chorinated water from the Niagara Region (cancer capital of Ontario due to pollution and pesticides). Our well water goes through a revers-osmosis process for drinking, although we have regular well water for washing and cooking. It's a wee bit sulfhorous straight from the well, but I make a point of cooking with it for the minerals. Would anyone know if the R.O. process removes the minerals from the well water?

April.

[Nancy LC]

It does remove pretty much everything from water.

[januaria]

You might enjoy reading this article on bone marrow (http://drbganimalpharm.blogspot.com/2009/01/bone-marrow-immunoprotective-and.html).

I did, Nancy, - thanks!

From the article: The above seminal article suggests that bone marrow may hold the key to improving endothelial problems and inflammation.

[januaria]

Often, in our youthful arrogance, and in the name of "progress", we discard practices that have kept people health for centuries, such as bathing in magnesium sulphate and consuming bone broth daily. People did these things because they worked. Thank you to everyone who answered my post and contributed so much useful information.

April.