Raw Chocolate is our primary source for magnesium – but why is Magnesium Important

Raw Chocolate is our primary source for magnesium – but why is Magnesium Important

Magnesium is necessary for over 300 different enzyme processes in every one of your 100 trillion cells.  The primary source for dietary Magnesium is found in the raw chocolate beans.  Clinical studies indicate that raw cocoa has therapeutic levels of magnesium.  (for more info on Xocai chocolate, click here). The primary uptake for magnesium is vitamin B6 – which is also found in chocolate.

1)      2 most important minerals for the Heart are:  magnesium and potassium

a.       18 times higher concentration in the heart muscle than in the blood

b.      decreases blood coagulation & lowers blood pressure

c.       decreases angina pain

2)      in the Brain - higher concentrations of magnesium are found in the cerebral spinal fluid that bathes the brain than in the blood; 

a.       activates most key enzymes required for neurons to produce energy from glucose (ATP);

b.      also the storage of ATP;

c.       thus allowing for clarity and emotional stability

d.      activates D6D, an enzyme that converts omega 3 fatty acids into DHA – the most abundant fatty acid in brain cell membranes

                                                               i.      deficiencies are related to ADD & ADHD; poor memory, post partum depression, Alzheimer’s disease

e.       required to make the myelin sheath that protects the neural axons

                                                               i.      deficiencies are related to MS & muscular restlessness

f.        magnesium & vitamin B deficiencies are related to the reduction of the

                         neurotransmitter dopamine

3)      Pituitary gland – magnesium is essential to the pituitary gland which takes information from the hypothalamus and transmits it throughout the body – thus magnesium is required to regulate and balance hormones levels 

4)  Adrenal glands – adrenal glands overproduce when the pituitary gland is deficient

in magnesium – this in turn causes increased heart rate & excitability; which in turn has an impact on:  psychological, social, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health 

4)      PMS – red blood cell magnesium was found to be significantly lower in people suffering from PMS

5)      Muscles – magnesium increases flexibility and strength in muscles; chronic deficiency promotes muscle tension, spasm, twitches and restlessness

6)      Laxative – magnesium plays a huge role in the colon function; when there is sufficient magnesium there is no constipation

7)      Bones -  magnesium can be transmuted into calcium in the bones – which doesn’t offset the other minerals required in bone health – whereas too much calcium can offset these other minerals

Signs of Magnesium Deficiency:

Aggressive behavior                        Alcoholism                    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Anorexia                                        Apathy                          Arrhythmia

Asthma                                           ADD/ADHD                Blood vessel clots

Calcification of organs, tissue, small arteries                         Cancer

Cerebral palsy                                Chronic fatique syndrome         Cluster headaches

Confusion                                       Constipation                 Convulsions

Cramps                                          Depression                   Diabetes

Disorientation                                 Failure to grow             Fibromyalgia

Fluoride toxicity                              Head injuries                Heart-related conditions

Headaches                                     HIV                              Hyperacidity

Hypertension                                  Insomnia                       Irritability

Kidney stones                                 Migraines                     Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Muscular weakness                        Muscle tremors             Muscle tics

Myocardial infarction                      Nervousness                 Neuromuscular problems

Osteoporosis                                  PMS                            Psychiatric disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis                        Sickle cell anemia          Stress

Toxic shock syndrome                    Vertigo

Drugs that cause a loss of magnesium        Non drug related causes of magnesium deficiencies

-         Alcohol                                                 - mental, emotional or physical stress

-         alcohol withdrawal stress                       - excessive dietary fats – meats, nuts, seeds

-         beta – adrenergic agonists (for asthma)  - high quantities of dietary fiber

-         caffeine (coffee)                                    - high amounts of dietary calcium

-         cocaine                                                 - deficiencies in copper, boron or Vitamin B6

-         corticosteroids

-         diuretics

-         nicotine

-         phosphates (in soda drinks)

-         theophylline

-         thiazide

For more information, contact: Dr Holly at holly@choicesunlimited.ca

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References: 

Wolfe, David & Shazzie.  Naked Chocolate, Raw Creation Ltd, 2005.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3800293

http://www.chocolate.org/magnesium.html

http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~sgd2z/more/science/biot1.htm