Natural Standard Featured CE/CME: Magnesium

Natural Standard's featured CE/CME for the month of October is Magnesium: Safety & Effectiveness.

Research suggests that magnesium may be an effective treatment option for acute childhood asthma. Other studies have also shown it to be potentially beneficial in the treatment of several heart disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes, hearing loss, leg cramps during pregnancy, and side effects from the drug succinylcholine (a neuromuscular blocker). At higher doses, magnesium may control high blood pressure, although study findings are unclear.

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Comments

[IL]

Very interesting. Other options that can be useful in COPD/Asthma are breathing excersizes including yoga, and the buteyko breathing technique which has been shown to reduce rescue-inhaler use. I'm very interested to see what the conclusion will be on the effects of acupressure, acupuncture and aromatherapy on COPD and asthma. Right now they are listed under unclear evidence, but as more information and studies come out, we should know more. Of course, smoking cessation is still the most effective way of reducing COPD progression and helps with asthma symptoms significantly.

[NK]

In patients with renal insufficiency or failure, magnesium toxicity is a potential problem. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys so when the kidneys aren’t fully functional, magnesium may not be excreted rapidly like normal. Some of the symptoms of magnesium toxicity to watch out for are central nervous system depression and skeletal muscle paralysis. Another thing to consider is taking calcium supplements along with magnesium, since they work inversely. This can help maintain magnesium levels within normal range.

[NK]

Although magnesium is one of the basic elements, surprisingly to me, it has been used for many conditions. It has been used for a range of conditions including heart attack prevention, pre-eclampsia, asthma, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The use of magnesium in asthma was the most interesting one to me because in school I never learned about magnesium being used in an asthma exacerbation. It makes me think about the other elements and for what conditions they may be used in treating.

[SA]

Magnesium is a good choice in many conditions and also a cheap alternative. I think continuous education in this kind of topics is very helpful in getting the whole picture about the safety and the efficacy of the treatment options.

[Melissa]

I knew that magnesium was used for conversion of sinus rhythm in torsades de pointes, but had not heard of its other uses in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and hearing loss. I have also been told that it can be used for migraine prevention. I am wondering if magnesium is beneficial because these patients are deficient. Also, I am concerned whether the additional magnesium would cause arrhythmias. I will definitely have to check this CE/CME module out to find my answers.