Page 24 - Fall2012

Not only than traditional diets wherein these “displacing The reasons for this are complex and reflect the
do we fail foods of modern commerce” were absent. universal importance of magnesium rather than
Magnesium contributes to more than three a specific interaction between the two minerals.

to absorb hundred specific chemical reactions that occur In a healthy individual, parathyroid hormone
enough within our bodies. The most basic energy cur- activates vitamin D to its hormone form, which in
22
calcium when rency of our cells, ATP, exists primarily bound turn maintains blood levels of calcium within the
to magnesium. Magnesium is thus essential for appropriate range, in part by helping us absorb
we are every reaction that depends on ATP. Magnesium calcium from our food.

deficient in also activates the enzyme that makes copies of Magnesium deficiency causes a failure
magnesium, DNA, as well as the enzyme that makes RNA, in this system through several mechanisms.
which is responsible for translating the codes Without magnesium, the liver cannot convert
we also fail to contained within our genes into the production vitamin D to its semi-activated storage form,
put calcium of every protein within our body. Magnesium 25-hydroxyvitamin D. When we are deficient in

where it is thus literally involved in every single process magnesium, we not only produce less parathyroid
that occurs within the body, making a specific hormone, but even what we do produce fails to
belongs. enumeration of all of its interactions impossible work properly. This resistance to parathyroid
to contain even within a large book, far less an hormone appears to result from the failure of
article such as this. The well known interaction at least four different categories of biochemical
between magnesium and calcium, however, reactions that are needed to support the hor-
provides a classic example (Figure 5). mone. Without properly functioning parathyroid
Magnesium deficiency decreases blood hormone, our kidneys fail to fully activate the
levels of calcium in humans and most animals. 22 storage form of vitamin D to its hormone form,

Table 6. MAGNESIUM CONTENT OF SELECTED FOODS 23

Magnesium is especially abundant in many seeds, and also found abundantly in many whole grains, nuts, and vegetables.
Some fruits and types of seafood are also good sources. Meat, however, even liver, is low in magnesium. In contrast to
whole grains, refined grains contain almost no magnesium. Like refined grains, refined sugar also contains almost no
magnesium.

Food Magnesium (mg/100 g) Food Magnesium (mg/100 g)

Pumpkin and Squash Seeds 534 Salmon 122
Brazil Nuts 376 Kelp 121
Sesame Seeds 356 Bananas 108
Sunflower Seeds 325 Spinach 79
Caviar 300 Cod 74
Almonds 286 Peaches 57
Buckwheat 231 Oysters 47
Lima Beans 224 Potatoes 43
Tomatoes 194 Bacon 36
Bell Peppers 188 Chicken Breast 31
Oats 177 Hamburger 27
Peanuts 176 Liver 18
Kidney Beans 140 Enriched White Flour 16
Madacamia Nuts 130 White Rice 13
Whole Wheat 126 Table Sugar 9
Lentils 140
24 Wise Traditions FALL 2012 FALL 2012 Wise Traditions

101665_text.indd 24 9/14/12 1:33 AM