EatQOD

This book is a scholarly review of all of the into relating to magnesium (Mg). There is a lot of evidence that Mg deficiency is implicated in heart disease, high blood pressure, and even osteoporosis.

Magnesium is also low in metabolic syndrome, and high magnesium levels may improve metabolic syndrome.

Since we've taken magnesium out of our water system (softeners), and out of foods (by refining grains), it's actually hard to get the RDA, which is around 400 mg/day.

Most magnesium is found in dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach) and nuts.

See:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1583331565

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS BOOK IN TERMS OF EATING QOD:

In the QOD diet book, we try to assure an adequate potassium intake from low-calorie veggies, but many veggies (e.g. ,tomatoes) don't contain all that much Mg. So I think it's safest to take magnesium supplements.

One-a-day Men's health now has 120 mg of magnesium (not enough)

Magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed, relatively. Magnesium lactate is better.

I'm using magnesium hydroxyacids (Actisorb), from KAL, which comes in scored tablets of 400 mg Mg each. Total dose: One tablet a day - best to break it in half and take 1/2 tablet in the morning. 200 mg/day may be enough for a lot of people. Especially needed on the OFF day.

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=mag ... ch+Froogle

A plus: may help with constipation. Especially that associated with calcium supplements.

Potential problems: Patients with bad kidney function should avoid Mg. May cause some diarrhea. May cause bradycardia (slow heart rate). You definitely don't want to overdose on magnesium. The label recommends up to 2 tabs daily. I would definitely not exceed 800 mg/day, and I think 200 mg/day should be enough for most people. One problem I have that most people won't have: magnesium dilates veins. I tend to have large varicose veins in my legs - and magnesium seems to make these larger and to cause some burning along the veins- probably from excessive venodilatation. Most people won't have this problem.

JT