Unsound Sleep

Scary, and fascinating...

Mag(ic)Nesium

North American diets are prominently deficient in two major minerals - potassium and magnesium. This results in a slew of health issues while not immediately life threatening become serious over time.

The Problem
I recently experienced severe heart palpitations - my heart felt like it was beating out of sequence; there was no rhythym. This continued for hours at a time, and several. A(nother) visit to the emergency room revealed that they were a result of a condition called Supra ventricular tachycardia which is apparently non threatening in someone young. They could not, however, tell me what causes it. A series of tests later they could not find anything structurally wrong with my heart and sent me away with a prescription.

This of course led to some serious internet trolling. I discovered several websites that discussed the association between this condition and a magnesium deficiency. Other symptoms (from this website) include:

Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every organ system of the body. With regard to skeletal muscle, one may experience twitches, cramps, muscle tension, muscle soreness, including back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and jaw joint (or TMJ) dysfunction. Also, one may experience chest tightness or a peculiar sensation that he can't take a deep breath. Sometimes a person may sigh a lot.

Symptoms involving impaired contraction of smooth muscles include constipation; urinary spasms; menstrual cramps; difficulty swallowing or a lump in the throat-especially provoked by eating sugar; photophobia, especially difficulty adjusting to oncoming bright headlights in the absence of eye disease; and loud noise sensitivity from stapedius muscle tension in the ear.

Other symptoms and signs of magnesium deficiency and discuss laboratory testing for this common condition. Continuing with the symptoms of magnesium deficiency, the central nervous system is markedly affected. Symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity and restlessness with constant movement, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and premenstrual irritability. Magnesium deficiency symptoms involving the peripheral nervous system include numbness, tingling, and other abnormal sensations, such as zips, zaps and vibratory sensations.

Symptoms or signs of the cardiovascular system include palpitations, heart arrhythmias, angina due to spasms of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure and mitral valve prolapse. Be aware that not all of the symptoms need to be present to presume magnesium deficiency; but, many of them often occur together. For example, people with mitral valve prolapse frequently have palpitations, anxiety, panic attacks and premenstrual symptoms. People with magnesium deficiency often seem to be "uptight." Other general symptoms include a salt craving, both carbohydrate craving and carbohydrate intolerance, especially of chocolate, and breast tenderness.

It's pretty startling to read this list and realize that it speaks to conditions that I've had for years. Nothing serious enough to get medical attention for, but bothersome nevertheless (insomnia being the worst one) It is estimated that 2/3rds of Americans are Magnesium deficient.

Sources/Treatment
Of course a quick fix for Magnesium deficiency it to take supplements. This is not necessarily a good idea; since Magnesium is quite alkaline it neutralizes stomach acid which in time results in malabsorption. It is much better to get magnesium natural sources like:

- bananas
- cashews/almonds
- most varieties of beans
- spinach and other leafy greens
- Quinoa, rice and whole wheat
- Dairy including cheese and milk

A comprehensive list can be found here

The jury is still out but since I have increased my intake of magnesium from natural sources my heart palpitations have not come back. Amazing how one little mineral can have such a significant effect on our bodies and well being.

Tart Therapy

Apple cider vinegar (or just cider vinegar) has been used through the ages as a treatment for a wide range of ailments including the flu, indigestion, candida and allergies. As a mouthwash it can be used to ward off bad breath, remove plaque and clean the gums as well as whiten the teeth. It is also a great alternative to alchohol based mouthwashes which can dry the mouth and have been linked to oral cancers (and cheaper!). It is also, despite being an acid itself, alkalizes in the body thereby improving the alkali-acid balance; many modern day ailments are caused by an excess of acidic foods (link to a food chart on the sidebar - more to come on this) A good summary of the benefits of cider vinegar can be found here

It is important to note that the acid is diluted otherwise it can damage the oesophagus and dissolve enamel. A teaspoon in a glass of water is commonly recommended. Alternatively it is delicious in salad dressing along with Olive Oil and Dijon mustard. mmmm.

Salmonizing

Salmon has perhaps been the greatest contributor to the improvement in my health. I was made aware of salmon's health benefits after watching a program on PBS called 'The Wrinkle Cure' by Nicholas Perricone He asserts that aging is a disease which is caused by inflammation and to reverse the aging process one must avoid foods and enviroments that cause inflammation, the worst of which are refined sugar and flour. Salmon, on the other hand, has significant anti inflammatory properties and should be eaten often.

I used to suffer from severe allergies both to my cat and the mould in the extremely humid environment that I was living in. As part of my new and improved lifestyle, I started to incorporate salmon into my diet about three times a week and found a significant improvement in my allergies. About a year later they were almost gone. I could actually touch my cat without tears streaming down my cheeks and sleep on a mattress that didn't have an allergy cover on it. The power of salmon amazed me and is something I have recommended to the point of annoyance.

The great side effect of eating a lot of salmon is that you start to look younger and you notice an improvement in your skin . Dr. Perricone claims that the DMAE in salmon actually reduces the appearance of sagging and gives one's skin a radiant appearance which I have continued to notice.

A few observations about salmon:

- Pacific salmon is the best. Then Atlantic. Farm raised salmon is significantly lower in Omega-3s and also contain higher levels of toxins. The packaging will usually indicate whether the salmon is 'wild'. If it doesn't say anything, it is most likely farm raised.
- Wild salmon capsules are an alternative but are not nearly as effective as the actual fish.
- Sushi is a delicious way to get one's quota of salmon, especially when it's spicy.
- Excellent description of the health benefits.

Finding Fettle

In September 1999. I went to the emergency room with severe heart palpitations; I was convinced that I was dying of a heart attack. After a battery of tests including an ECG, EKG and a variety of blood tests, I was sent home. The next night, after experiencing identical symptoms and a trip to the hospital at 2am, I was sent home again. On this second night I was told that I was most likely having an anxiety attack. I had never heard this term before and found it laughable as I was rarely stressed and did not think that I had any real neuroses. I had no problems interacting with people (although perhaps I was a trifle shy) , was not afraid of being trapped in elevators, and did not feel the need to flush the toilet with my foot. In fact I had spent a lifetime honing an ability to control my emotional responses. I did not (unfairly, in retrospect) think, regardless of the problem, that there were excuses for bad behaviour.

After months of symptons and a battery of tests including an MRI, nothing was found. I had to accept the fact that for the first time in my life I was not in control of my demeanour. I needed to find a way to fix this. I analyzed it extensively - both to understand how it happened, and to find a solution. The causes were numerous - stress relating to the relationship I was in (it was very passionate), bad drugs, an introspective personality and a horrendous diet. I stayed in the relationship, and introspective; I gave up the drugs and started to obsess about diet and how it contributes to overall emotional, mental and of course physical fettle.

As we know, healthfulness is achieved through a delicate balance, the answers to which are often intuitively available to us. With this blog, I will endeavour to share my research, analysis, and opinions on health issues and how diet can contribute to both specific and general improvement as well as a better understanding of our own beings.