Hi,
I agree with you about most people with chronic illnesses having
adopted healthy diets.

I don't think that a genetic weakness is going to be a very common
cause for malabsorption. Most genetic weaknesses appear only when
the condition of the body allows it. A person can have a genetic
weakness for a particular illness/condition but if the health of the
body is maintained then the weakness generally will not manifest.

you mentioned where people with magnesium deficiency have
supplemented the mineral for years without signs of benefit.

Low magnesium is common in people with CFS-FMS. I think that this
low magnesium level contributes to the blocked metabolism; the kreb
cycle needs magnesium. I think low magnesium also contributes to the
increased pain sensitivity; an increase in substance P has been found
to correlate with low magnesium. Low magnesium also contributes to
low glutathione levels.

Unfortunately, increasing magnesium levels is more involved than
supplementing the mineral. And taking the supplement does not assure
absorption into the bloodstream or further absorption into the cell.

In one of the patient profiles (Example 3b) at
http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Soapbox/Articles/bioterrain.html
reports that "The excess protons (H+) produced as a result of
increased anaerobic cellular metabolism will evict intracellular
Magnesium."

When metabolism is blocked in the mitochondria, the cell relies
more heavily upon anaerobic metabolism of glycolysis for the
production of energy (ATP). One effect then, according to the above,
is that magnesium is pushed from the cell.

A person can supplement magnesium, but that does not mean that the
magnesium will get into the cell where it is needed. In another of
the profiles the Dr. writes that magnesium is blocked from entry into
the cell by binding with phosphates.

In another of the profiles at the same UK site, it tells of giving
a patient magnesium via IV injection. Within 24 hours the patient
was back at the depleted levels, all the magnesium was expelled from
the body.

Blood CO2 levels influence reabsorption of magnesium in the
kidneys. If CO2 goes low (also related to metabolism), less
magnesium is reabsorbed. Blood sodium levels also help to control
magnesium levels in the blood. HCl in the stomach affect magnesium
absorption.

A person with CFS-FMS could get a cellular test done and it would
likely show magnesium levels are low. But what good does that do if
there is no way for the cell to get the magnesium? I don't think
that a personalized program is required.

There are lots of people wasting thousands of dollars on tests.
Give the body all that is needed in a healthy diet, provide what is
needed to improve metabolism and digestion and leave it up to the
body to select the nutrients that it needs.

All the best,
Jim

--- In CFS-FMS_FIRST-Aid@yahoogroups.com, "per h" <pehan03@y...>
wrote:
> Hi
>
> My thoughts is that many with a chronic illness
> have adopted a healthy diet, and some have even gone very far.
>
> However how do they know what is best for them?
>
> Ive heard of some people with magnesium deficiency who have been on
> magnesium for about a year with little improvement in levels.
>
> Remember also the genetic situation, you may need 5x more of a
> mineral than another person because of some genetic weakness in
> metabolism, even though you absorb ever so good, and when gut is
> such and issue in CFS and related illness, absorption is likely to
> be an issue.
>
> However addressing ones unique needs should be the primary
objective
> Imo.
>
> Here is a lab Ive found that does intracellular testing, there are
> more of them out there, I dont know how scientific this is, but
> their articles on the site are quality, and shows good insight.
>
> www.spectracell.com
>
> It would be nice to hear if anyone have experience with this form
of
> testing.
>
>
> By the way thanks to all that answered regarding FIR and longterm
> use, hope to get more input on it.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> all the best
> Per