Low Magnesium Levels

Low magnesium levels are associated with several autoimmune disorders including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and asthma. Reduced levels are also thought to be the reason for muscle pain in SLE (Lupus) patients.

Insufficient magnesium causes an increase in a body chemical called substance P, which is responsible for pain perception. In other words, you will hurt more if you don't have enough magnesium. Fibromyalgia sufferers have on average three times more Substance P than normal.

A magnesium deficiency is connected to a host of other health conditions including: migraines, heart disease, mitral valve prolapse, sleep disturbances, over-sensitivity to light and noise, autism, depression, anxiety, PMS, and kidney stones.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 400mg. Dietary sources of magnesium include whole grains, nuts, seeds, cocoa, green vegetables, seafood, brown rice, and kidney and lima beans.

Many factors can deplete magnesium in the body. Consuming sugar, starchy foods, and the seasoning monosodium glutamate (MSG) will deplete your body of magnesium. MSG is an inexpensive, great-tasting brain toxin. Because it makes their products taste so good, food producers are eager to use MSG as a food additive. You may think that you are avoiding MSG if you avoid Chinese restaurants, but this flavor enhancer actually is in almost every bottle, bag, or can on your supermarket shelves.

MSG is a nervous system stimulant and intolerance to it is not just an allergic reaction, but a powerful drug reaction. This reaction may mimic autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia and can occur anytime from ten minutes to 48 hours after eating an MSG-laced food. Even the FDA admits that MSG has been proven to induce asthma attacks in certain individuals because MSG causes a histamine response and the histamine increases cytokine production. 4 Additionally, over 85% of people studied with Type I Diabetes have tested positive for antibodies to MSG. In other words, they are allergic to it.

Increased public awareness to the dangers posed by MSG has forced manufacturers to "hide" it on the label. MSG can legally be listed by more than 40 different names on a food label. Food labels can be misleading or even downright deceitful. The government allows a label to claim "No Added MSG" or "No MSG", but still have a high MSG content if the ingredients are naturally high in MSG.

Besides Monosodium glutamate and MSG, this additive will also be listed as Monopotassium glutamate, Glutamate, Glutamic acid, Gelatin, Calcium caseinate, Textured protein, Hydrolyzed protein, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Yeast extract, or Yeast nutrient.

Anything listed on the label as a type of "flavoring" or "natural flavoring" might contain MSG; so can any form of "boullion". The word "seasonings" can mean MSG has been added. Any ingredients that have any form of "soy", "protein", "enzymes", "Carrageenan", "pectin" or "Maltodextrin" in it may also have hidden MSG. Foods that are ultra-pasteurized or fermented can also hide MSG. Unfortunately, the earlier a questionable ingredient appears on a label, the higher the likelihood that the food contains MSG.

More contributing factors to a magnesium deficiency are stress and sleep deprivation. I should also note that vitamin B deficiencies, especially B12, could lead to the inability of the body to utilize magnesium, even when it is getting adequate amounts. Surprisingly enough, even loud noises can decrease magnesium availability, so turn the radio down.

Mercury heavily depletes the body of magnesium. Mercury is second only to plutonium as the most toxic metal known to man. Many common medical and mental problems are known to be caused by mercury toxicity.

Don't believe that you have had enough mercury exposure to effect your magnesium levels and well being???

Do you have "silver" amalgam dental fillings? If so, you are being exposed to mercury everyday. A silver colored amalgam filling normally contains 52% mercury. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a declaration that amalgams are a hazardous substance under the Superfund law. 4In fact, the majority of mercury that accumulates in our bodies comes from the "silver" amalgam fillings in our teeth. Just the normal chewing of food and a chemical reaction between the amalgam and saliva causes the ingestion and inhalation of mercury.

When mercury-containing amalgam fillings were introduced to the US in 1833, many American dentists denounced their use. The American Society of Dental Surgeons found members guilty of malpractice for using the amalgam fillings. The use of amalgam fillings eventually became such a controversial issue, that it led to the society's demise. The organization was succeeded by the American Dental Association, which sought to unite dentists by not taking a stand on the use of amalgam fillings in its early years.

In studies that amalgam was placed into teeth of monkeys and rats, within one year mercury was found in the brain and many other organs and systems. The argument should not be as to whether or not mercury fillings contribute to autoimmunity, but whether it is safe to remove them without causing more harm then good. While some patients report and improvement of symptoms when the mercury containing fillings are removed, 10% of people report a worsening of symptoms. This was likely because of unsafe practices during the removal process. Only dentists who understand the dangers of mercury and are knowledgeable in its safe removal should do it. (Please see reference guide for dentist information.)

Have you ever been vaccinated? Thimerosal, which is 50% mercury by weight, was added to vaccines starting in the 1930's to act as a preservative. The FDA banned the use of Thimerosal in over the counter medications in October of 1998, but it is still used in vaccines. Even today's flu vaccinations can contain mercury.

Do you wear contact lenses? Certain contact lens solutions contain mercury.

Have you ever had a scrape or a cut? Some first aid antiseptics contain mercury.

Do you eat fish or did your mother eat fish when she was pregnant with you? In the US, more than half the fish living in our lakes and reservoirs have unacceptable levels of mercury. A study has shown that Japanese children who ate more fish were more likely to develop asthma. Why? The high mercury levels in the fish are poisoning the children.

Do you live in Texas or by a coal-burning power plant? Texas power plants produce the most mercury emissions annually. Coal-fired power plants account for some 90,000 pounds of mercury emissions. Emissions in regions like the Great Lakes and Northeast are especially high too.

Did you ever paint a room in your house before 1991, when it became illegal to use mercury in latex house paint? A toxicity study showed mercury was still gassing off 90 days after painting with latex paint containing even very low levels of mercury.

Mercury can also be found in acetone fingernail polish removers, rubbing alcohol, the chlorine in drinking water and chlorine bleaches, disinfectants, cosmetics, dyes, and wood preservatives. 5 Other mercury containing household items include: wiring devices and switches, thermostats, thermometers, barometers, and blood pressure cuffs. Some clothes irons, button cell batteries (including those used in hearing aids and children's books), radio tubes, some wrist watches, mirrors, pottery, artificial flowers, Q-tips, ammunition cartridges, felt hats, pesticides prior to 1995, oil-based paints, Pre-1997 LA Gear® tennis shoes with light-up soles, and fluorescent lamps contain mercury.

According to Dr. Amy Holmes, MD, testing for Mercury Toxicity can be tricky.
If any amount of time has elapsed after the mercury exposure, little if any mercury will be detected in the usual blood, urine or hair analysis because mercury generally settles in the internal organs instead. One way doctors can test for mercury is to look for low levels of mercury-binding agents like glutathione.

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Autoimmune sufferers from all walks of life have been inspired by my story and wanted to know exactly what changed my life so dramatically. I have shared these secrets in "AUTOIMMUNITY: It's Time for Truth; It's Time to Heal".

Now it is YOUR turn. I am willing and anxious to pass on these hard to find facts to you.

• Learn the many simple steps you can take to make your immune system less likely to attack your own cells.
• Learn practical tips to decreasing pain with your diet .
• Learn which silent disease accompanies autoimmunity 80% of the time, robbing your body of oxygen and what you can do about it.
• Learn the vitamin, mineral, and hormonal deficiencies associated with Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma, MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and more...
• Learn what daily activity builds up toxins in your body and what you can do about it.
• Learn what you must do to help your immune system fight off viral invasions.
• Learn the secrets to eating so that you suppress, instead of promote swelling and inflammation.

If you want to take control of your health, you must learn the secrets of diet and nutrition's effect upon the immune system.