----- Original Message -----

From: Phil Rich

To: lymestrategies@yahoogroups.com

Cc: LymeOz@...

Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 9:39 AM

Subject: [lymestrategies] A possible myth: Magnesium feeds lyme

Hi everybody,

My congratulations to Robin and Sue who have reached the same conclusion as I about whether magnesium is a food for lyme. I hesitated to start this discussion up on the group previous to this, but the fact is I have NEVER been able to find a single study that proves that ANY pathogen feeds off magnesium. I would LOVE to see any factual information that shows differently. I have been on the lyme groups since 2004 and the statement that "Magnesium feeds spirochetes" has been stated as fact for all that time. If someone has a link to ANY study that proves this, please forward it up.

If this is a myth, it needs to stop. I already know some lymies who hesitate using magnesium because of this potential myth - much to their damage if it is just a myth!! Lyme disease is an inflammatory infection - magnesium is used by cells to counter inflammation. To quote: "Clearly, numerous inflammatory responses have the potential to develop in the wake of magnesium deficiency.⁷ " referenced from: Durlach J, Bac P, Bara M, Guiet-Bara A. Physiopathology of symptomatic and latent forms of central nervous system hyperexcitability due to magnesium deficiency: a current general scheme. Magnes Res 2000;13:293-302.

As to Dr K stating that lyme feeds off magnesium in the gut... Could we have a reference from where/when Dr K said this? There is no mention of this on his website, and in fact he recommends taking magnesium.

If he indeed HAS stated that lyme feeds off magnesium in the gut... I have ABSOLUTE respect for this man. I don't know how he has formulated this opinion and would equally be interested in seeing any research he has done in this field. Even if it is his intuition that guides him in make this statement, I for one am willing to certainly consider it - given how much experience he has treating lyme. But until I see a reference where he states it, I'll just hang fire a bit :-)

Let the conversation begin :-)

Phil