Asthma and magnesium deficiency
A quick search of Medline brought up numerous references to
the connection between magnesium deficiency and asthma. In the
past the connection was clouded because researchers were trying
to connect asthma to the SERUM level of magnesium, but serum
levels cloak the intracellular deficiencies of Mg, so they found
no connection. There is still no easy test for Mg deficiency, but
by using tissue samples it is with difficulty possible to
determine the intracellular deficiency, so now the connection to
asthma is becoming clear. Some excerpts from Medline Abstracts
appear below.
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Dietary Magnesium, Lung Function, Wheezing, And Airway
Hyperreactivity In a Random Adult Population Sample. Lancet
1994 Aug 6;344(8919):357-62.
Low magnesium intake may be involved in the aetiology
of asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.
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Effect of Parenteral Magnesium Sulphate On Pulmonary
Functions In Bronchial Asthma. J. Asthma
1994;31(2):109-15.
They infused MgSO4 and found: It is concluded that
modest improvement in airways resistance and specific
conductance and only small improvement in maximal expiratory
flow rates is consistent with a predominant effect of MgSO4
on large airways in patients with bronchial asthma.
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Clinical Studies With The Nova ISE for IMg2+. Scand. J.
Clin. Lab Invest Suppl 1994;217:53-67.
The Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio appears to be an important guide
for signs of vascoconstriction and/or spasm and possibly
enhanced athergenesis. Overall, the data point to important
uses for ISE's for IMg2+ in the diagnosis and treatment of
disease states. (He studied asthma).
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The Role Of Disorders In The Homeostasis Of Divalent
Cations In The Pathogenesis And Clinical Picture Of Bronchial
Asthma. (Russian) Ter Arkh 1994; 66(3):8-12.
Lack of Mg and excess of Ca in blood cells (seem to
be)... responsible for bronchial hyperreactivity.
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Rapid Infusion Of Magnesium Sulphate Obviates Need For
Intubation In Status Asthmaticus. Am J Emerg Med 1994
Mar;12(2):164-6.
Rapid infusion of MgSO4 .... obviated the need for
endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
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Magnesium Sulphate Potentiates Several Cardiovascular And
Metabolic Actions of Terbutaline. Chest 1994
Mar;105(3):701-5.
MgSO4 has been shown to be efficacious .... for the
emergency treatment of asthma.
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Magnesium And Its Therapeutic Uses; A Review. Am J Med
1994 Jan; 96(1):63-76
Evidence investigating magnesium's use is presented,
with a number of studies suggesting it should be seriously
considered in such conditions as .... asthma.
-
Role of Magnesium In Regulation Of Lung Function. J Am
Diet Assoc 1993 Jun;93(6):674-7
(Indicates patients should be monitored routinely for
Mg deficiency).
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Intravenous Magnesium For Acute Asthma. Ann Emerg Med 1993
Mar;22(3):617-9 (letter)
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Hypomagnesemia Due to beta 2-agonist Use In Bronchial
Asthma (letter). J Assoc Physicians India 1992
May;40(5):346
There were many other studies and references to magnesium and
asthma. Many of the studies noted that drugs used in the
treatment of asthma caused loss of magnesium. A great many drugs,
including alcohol, cause rapid loss of magnesium. Common sense
would suggest that instead of waiting for an asthma attack before
administering magnesium, oral magnesium supplementation should be
a part of treatment for asthma as a preventive.
I suggest treating physicians advise asthmatics to consume at
least 6 mg magnesium per day for each kilogram of body weight. An
even higher intake of 10 mg/day per Kg of body weight may be
desirable provided that it does not trigger a laxative effect.
Breaking the dosage into three or four parts taken at different
times of day helps prevent laxative effect. Magnesium hydroxide
is NOT recommended because of poor bioavailability and because I
know of no instance of it having any beneficial use other than as
a laxative. Other Mg compounds appear to be better, including Mg
oxide, Mg sulphate, and Mg citrate. Natural magnesium in water
(magnesium carbonate dissolved in CO2-rich water) is 30% more
bio-available than Mg in food or pill, and offers much greater
cardio-protection. If pills are used, we suggest chelated, Krebs
cycle, with several Mg compounds; this gives greater bio-
availability, and doesn't upset the stomach.
This page was first uploaded to The Magnesium Web Site on
September 30, 1995
http://www.mgwater.com/
Healthy Water
Association--USA