Rachel:  First, thanks for not pouncing.  There has been SIGNIFICANT change
in the way nutrition is taught and the whole field of orthomolecular science
and biochem as it relates to nutrition.  I teach my college nutrition
students to get current resources on this because the field has completely
changed in the past 20 years (when I first took college level nutrition
courses).  Once upon a time we really thought if people ate "balanced diets"
that there would be zero reason to supplment.  The research has shown that
what we consider balanced today simply doesn't do that for  many people
living in polluted areas with other nasty habits (smoking, over stressing,
drinking soda pop, etc.) and the consequences of eating over processed foods
haven't sunk in (the average American eats only 11 grams of fiber a day in
spite of the fact that we rec 25-30 gms, a figure which I consider low in
light of the fact that many traditional societies consume 75-100 gms/day).
Now, I was NOT saying that supplements were the answer though...I think it
is very desireable to rebalance the homeostasis via nutritional means.
Before discussing that however, let's review the Magnesium and other elect.
thing...

What happens in the intestines when concentrated sugars or salts are poured
in is that fluids are withdrawn from the surrounding blood supply.  This is
one reason that people become light headed or get a sugar rush after
consuming large amounts of sugar.  They are really light headed because
there is a deficit of fluid in their brain.  There is another mechanism with
constipation that has to do with smooth muscles and peristalisis.  This
mechanism is very responsive to magnesium and to calcium.  In fact, recent
research has shown that upwards of 70% of migraine sufferers are deficient
in Magnesium and that it is the cause of both vascular and muscle spasm
underlying their problems.  Similar mechanisms are probably responsible for
impaired MER and for constipation.  We often use substances like milk of
magnesia to treat constipation because we know that we can capitalize on
both the muscle and electrolyte issue.

The approx 90% of calcium (and magnesium and fluoride) that is stored in our
bones is not at all static as we once believed.  It is not just during
crises that these get "turned over".  Bones are very dynamic structures with
matricies that are living.  What you've described about blood and muscle
levels is essentially true in mechanism, but the balance is much more
dynamic than what you were taught.  Just to look at calcium alone is not
accurate, but to be brief(er) I will do that.  When serum calcium levels
fall even slightly, say due to consumption of phosphoric acid in soda pop,
the body strives to maintain the two to one serum calcium to phosphorus
ratio by withdrawing calcium from the bones and teeth.  It does this because
all electrical nerve conduction relies on calcium and other electrolytes
being in balance.  That means that heart function and all autonomic and
sympathetic nerves can be impacted if calcium levels aren't in line.
Antidiuretic hormone function is also directly involved; likewise the
kidneys play a major role.

Nursing toddler just awakened (it's 5 AM here) and is hysterical...I'll
email more later and be happy to give references if folks are specific about
what they want to know.  Any others who know recent info (last 5 years)
PLEASE jump in.
Warmly,
--
--Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]
INFANT CUISINE AND MOTHER CARE: Lactation Consulting, Perinatal Health
Education and Attachment Parenting Classes for parents and practitioners

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