Subject: [Williss] Magnesium and Seizures:
>
> www.danalaake.com/newsletter.asp?article=6-----------------
>
> Magnesium and Seizure Disorder
> Patients being evaluated for seizure disorder should also be evaluated for
> magnesium status. Not only is low magnesium a risk factor for seizures, the
> mineral is an important part of therapy for seizure disorders. Pregnant
women
> with diagnosis of eclampsia (which includes severe seizures) were divided
> into two treatment groups: (1) magnesium sulphate and (2) an anti-seizure
> medication (phentoin / Dilantin). Magnesium was more effective than the
> anti-seizure medication. Infants with low levels of magnesium are most
susceptible to
> seizures and may also develop other problems including apnea and rapid
heart
> rate. A new finding indicates an increase in head size as a symptom in
> magnesium deficiency. When magnesium deficiency is the underlying issue,
the
> seizures are usually resistant to medication and the longer the patient is
> untreated by magnesium, the more permanent the damage.
> Note: One of our young patients responded dramatically to magnesium. After
> one year on multiple medications, with persistence of the seizures, this
> toddler was constantly sleeping due as a side-effect of the drugs and had
ceased
> to develop milestones as a result. Within months of being on magnesium,
she
> was seizure-free, walking and beginning to talk and off all medications.
> Magnesium therapy does not interfere with development, is remarkably free
of
> side-effects and addressed the underlying issue for this child.
>
> Magnesium is important for over 300 different enzyme reactions, the most
> important of which involves energy metabolism (known at ATP). It is
important
> in amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, DNA, hormone regulation,
cardiac
> muscle contraction, smooth muscle contraction and the reaction of blood
> vessels. Low levels result in the following: fatigue, nausea/vomiting,
mood
> changes, depression, muscle spasms, muscle trigger points, osteoporosis,
> headaches, tremors, twitching, exaggerated reflexes including startle,
abnormal
> cardiac rhythm, palpitations, high blood pressure, constipation, kidney
stones,
> premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, and seizures especially in
infants.
> The following can result in low levels of magnesium: diarrhea, alcohol,
excess
> caffeine, malabsorption, malnutrition, vomiting, diuretics, and
antibiotics.
> Routine serum levels are not the test of choice - they are regulated by
> kidneys and do not diminish until extreme late stages. Since 99% of
magnesium is
> inside the cells, the best tests are “intracellular” - such as white cells
> or red cell measures.
>
> References:
> Eur J Pediatr 2000:159(1-2):38-4.
> Indian J Med SCI 1998:52(12):541-7.
> Eur J Neurol 1999:6(6):705-709.
> Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. Groff. 1995.
> Arch Dis Child 1999:81(6):505-7.
> Principles of Nutritional Assessment. Gibson
>
>

MJH
"The Basil Book"
http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil


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