Journal
The Healing Capacity of the Vagus Nerve
It is common to hear people talk about ‘gut feelings’, ‘gut reactions’, or perhaps a ‘feeling in the gut’, and you will probably at some point have experienced butterflies before a stressful event or after an upsetting encounter. You may be surprised to know that the gut has as many neurons as the spinal cord and these ‘feelings’ or ‘sensations’ are emotional intuitions which travel up to your brain via the vagus nerve through a mind-body feedback loop. The Vagus Nerve also known as the ‘wandering nerve’ is the longest nerve in the body. It is rooted in the brain where it diverges from roots that wander down the body touching all the major organs along the way before embracing the lowest viscera of the abdomen. Early anatomical drawing of the vagus nerve This sophisticated neural network is critical for optimal health sending signals to all the bodily organs. I love this old anatomical drawing. You can see so clearly how mind and body are connected and how one impacts the other. The nerves around the gut are amazing. You can really begin to understand those gut feelings! The vagus nerve is commander-in-chief of the parasympathetic nervous system also know as the ‘rest and digest’ system; the polar opposite to the ‘fight or flight’ sympathetic nervous system which controls the body’s response to any perceived threat. When the vagus nerve is not functioning correctly, given its most important role in the bodily systems, it can cause digestive disharmony including ulcerative colitis, bulimia, IBS and acid reflux to name but a few. Loss of vagal nerve tone is also associated with depression, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, autoimmune thyroid conditions, lupus and chronic fatigue. Any time you feel stressed, worried, intimidated or under pressure your vagus nerve ‘disconnects’. Poor vagal nerve tone can produce quite pronounced symptoms without the presence of an organic disease. They may be dismissed as being psychosomatic or all in the head. Symptoms of loss of vagal tone Tightness in the throat or difficulty swallowing. Neck tension Palpitations Epigastric pain Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Strange intermittent abdominal pains. Weakness Frequent urination Shaking and nervousness. A slight inability to form words. Frequent urination (this can be due to high cortisol). An ‘active’ vagus nerve returns the body to homeostasis and equilibrium. The active vagus nerve and your health Helps increase stomach acid, digestive juices and motility in the gut. Low stomach acid, the cause of most acid reflux is often due to poor vagus nerve tone. It not only controls stomach acidity but also the oesophagus. Helps control anxiety and depression in the brain. Releases intrinsic factor, vital for B12 absorption. In the heart vagus nerve activation helps control blood pressure, heart rate variability and lowers the risk of heart disease. Helps release bile in the gallbladder to help you break down fat and release toxins. Helps control blood glucose levels via the pancreas and liver. A healthy vagus nerve allows easy bowel movements as it controls mucus production. Helps release tears and helps control taste and saliva. The vagus nerve can help to reduce pain. It is important for the release of testosterone. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on all bodily systems. The healing capacity of the vagus nerve is remarkable but how do you activate it? It is easier than you think and the body in its innate wisdom is designed to work optimally when given the correct tools! 1o easy ways to stimulate the vagus nerve Deep slow diaphragmatical breathing is key to stimulating the vagus nerve. Slow breathing, allowing the belly to fill when inhaling and deflate during exhalation engages the vagus nerve. When you are anxious or nervous breathing becomes laboured and short. Enjoy a good belly laugh. A study done on a yoga laughter group found the participants had increased heart rate variability. Pray. Reciting prayers or mantras notifies the vagus nerve of a sense of calm through rhythmic breathing. Connect with others and form compassionate kind relationships. Take Probiotics. Studies show the role of bacteria in the gut-brain connection. Have a reflexology treatment or foot massage. Not only do studies show it activates the vagus nerve but also lowers blood pressure. Splash your face with cold water. Sudden cold water on the face slows down your heart rate by indirectly stimulating the vagus nerve. Exercise. Mild to moderate exercise has been shown to stimulate gastric motility through the vagus nerve. Practice yoga which increases vagus nerve activity and reduces stress and depression. Join a choir or sing in the shower! Humming, singing hymns or more energetic singing all activate the vagus nerve in different ways. Finally the most interesting study has shown that when vagal nerve activity is high cancer stage no longer predicts tumour burden. Bitter, calming, heating, cooling and adaptogenic herbs have all been found to help vagal nerve tone. “Bodies always tell the truth. They give us hints of how to listen for it, and to recognize it when we hear or see it”– Robin Rose Bennett. Footnote – Medical scholars have been saying for centuries that disease begins in the gut, and now modern science is revealing this to be true. Studies have shown that people with Parkinson’s disease often have gastrointestinal issues, like constipation, that can start decades before they develop the disease. Yet again the vagus nerve plays a role and the bottom line is keep the gut healthy because it has a huge impact on the brain.
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Medical Marijuana in History and Health
Photo credit: Werner Forman/Art Resources, NY Medical marijuana is in the spotlight with CBD (Cannabidiol) products becoming one of the fastest growing markets. Medicinal cannabis is gaining more and more attention and there is fear that big pharmaceutical companies like Bayer in the U.S will create a monopoly as they desperately try to find a way to patent this natural medicinal plant, driving out small CBD oil supplement companies. So why are people turning to medicinal cannabis in their droves and finally finding relief from life-long debilitating ailments? Cannabis and the human body The human body actually has cannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of the largest neurotransmitter networks. This system helps maintain homeostatis, in other words it helps ensure optimal balance in the body, regulating immune function, the sleep/wake cycle, pain, cognition, mood, memory and visceral sensation. The active compounds in cannabis directly engage with the endocannabinoid system and so the cannabis plant is an important supplement for the ECS. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol ) and CBD (Cannabidiol) are the two best-known cannabinoids that recently received a lot of attention for medical application but there are thought to be more than 80 cannabinoids present in marijuana and hemp plants. CBD oil is legal in the UK and has to contain less than 0.02% of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Our relationship with cannabis it is now being re-kindled. Cannabis throughout the ages The history of cannabidiol goes back thousands of years. Archaeological findings suggest that cannabis sativa was likely one of the first crops planted by early man at the end of the ice age. Cannabis plants are extremely versatile and have been used as food, medicine and textiles, the earliest woven fabric thought to be made of hemp fibres. All over the world countries were discovering the medicinal properties of cannabis. In 1213 B.C the Egyptians were using cannabis to treat glaucoma and inflammation and in the Middle East an ancient Persian text lists cannabis as the most important of 10,000 medicinal herbs. Hemp (the non-psychoactive variety of cannabis) has been a significant crop throughout the history of the world. It was typically grown for fibre and at one time 90% of all ship’s sails were made from hemp and until the 20th century 80% of the world’s textiles including sheets, clothing and towels were made from hemp fibres. Photo credit: Tim Boote, Unsplash Until 1883 nearly 90% of paper was made with hemp and nearly every city in the world had an industry making hemp rope. What a versatile history. Cannabis as medicine In the US the medicinal properties of cannabis were realised and the U.S Pharmacopeia of 1881 stated that cannabis could treat epilepsy, depression, neuralgia, rheumatism, asthma and alcoholism. Unfortunately Reefer Madness propaganda and misguided information lead to the demise of cannabis and in 1930 its prohibition began. Photo credit: Esteban Lopez, Unsplash In England Queen Victoria was administered cannabis by her doctor to alleviate period pain but towards the end of the 19th century the invention of the syringe lead to the medicinal use of cannabis coming to an end; cannabis can’t be dissolved in water and so couldn’t be injected. The introduction of aspirin and other drugs also contributed to the reduction in the use of cannabis and in 1928 it was eventually made illegal when an Egyptian delegate at an international drug conference in Geneva convinced everybody of its threat to society. It has now made a huge comeback after being demonised for so long. CBD or Medical Marijuana deserves a respected place and should be considered in the treatment of health conditions such as – Epilepsy Pain Multiple Sclerosis Depression and Anxiety Insomnia Alzheimer’s disease Psoriasis and Eczema Neuro-inflammation Cancer Autism
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Dad You Were Right About Coconut Oil
“It’s as if they saw a house burning and determined that the bigger the fire, the more firemen are present, and then concluded that firemen cause burning houses.”― Uffe Ravnskov, The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy That Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease It’s official – coconut oil is good for you! Last week Dr Michael Mosley from the BBC2 programme Trust Me I’m a Doctor, revealed that a study carried out by Cambridge University showed that coconut oil actually improved cholesterol levels by boosting the ‘good’ cholesterol. “Coconut oil, because of its saturated fatty acids of varied chain length, and its low linoleic acid content, should be considered as part of a protective diet.” Ray Peat Ph.D. And yet The British Heart Foundation still advises against using coconut oil. They instead suggest you cook with canola oil and replace butter with margarine; a hydrogenated, highly processed, deodorised, inflammatory promoting product. The fear of saturated fat has just gone on and on but I haven’t wavered and nor has my father who for over 25 years, even when the so called studies came out to say it could give you a heart attack, stood by his belief that saturated fats were not the enemy. Simple biological facts are completely ignored by the mainstream medical community. Photo by Adam Birkett on Unsplash “Based on information [supplied by the mainstream health industry], most people naturally think of cholesterol as something damaging, something to be avoided. But cholesterol is absolutely essential for life. It is not some alien chemical that we can remove from our diets, or our bodies…I sometimes remark to those who think my ideas on heart disease are entirely batty, “Why do you think that an egg yolk is full of cholesterol?” Because it takes one hell of a lot of cholesterol to build a healthy chicken. It also takes a hell of a lot of cholesterol to build, and maintain, a healthy human being. In fact, cholesterol is so vital that all cells, apart from neurones, can manufacture cholesterol, and one of the key functions of the liver is to synthesize cholesterol. We also have an entire transportation system dedicated to moving cholesterol around the body”. Dr Malcolm Kendrick, The Great Cholesterol Con. The population of Tokelauans who live in the South Pacific have lived on a diet of coconut oil for generations. Over 60% of their diet would come from coconuts and yet they were found to be in excellent health with very low rates of heart disease. Several other populations around the world have survived and thrived on a diet high in coconut oil. “Coconut oil is the least fattening of all the oils. Pig farmers tried to use it to fatten their animals, but when it was added to the animal feed, coconut oil made the pigs lean [See Encycl. Brit. Book of the Year, 1946].” Ray Peat Ph.D. Coconut oil benefits – Anti-microbial Anti-bacterial Anti-inflammatory Improves metabolism Supports brain function Improves thyroid health Improves oral health Improves cholesterol Improves brain function Supports the immune system May reduce seizures Brain tissue is very rich in complex forms of fats. The experiment (around 1978) in which pregnant mice were given diets containing either coconut oil or unsaturated oil showed that brain development was superior in the young mice whose mothers ate coconut oil. Because coconut oil supports thyroid function, and thyroid governs brain development, including myelination, the result might simply reflect the difference between normal and hypothyroid individuals. However, in 1980, experimenters demonstrated that young rats fed milk containing soy oil incorporated the oil directly into their brain cells, and had structurally abnormal brain cells as a result.” Ray Peat Ph.D. If you want to read more on the myths that surround saturated fat, cholesterol and heart disease see the following – The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics The Great Cholesterol Con, Dr Malcolm Kendrick The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing The Fallacy That Cholesterol and Saturated Fat Causes Heart Disease, Uffe Ravnskov
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Vitamin D Awareness Week
We are supporting Vitamin D Awareness Week in the hope that the public no longer sees the sun as public enemy No.1. How do we get Vitamin D? Vitamin D₃ is made in your skin when you are exposed to sunlight. It then travels in the bloodstream to the liver and kidneys where it goes through various processes before it can be converted in to a form of Vitamin D that the body can use. You don’t have to burn to make vitamin D. Just enough exposure to turn the skin slightly pink is enough. Sunshine is good for you! A large study has shown that those who avoid sunshine are twice as likely to die as those who sunbathe every day. As written in The Lancet – “Paradoxically, outdoor workers have a decreased risk of melanoma compared with indoor workers, suggesting that chronic sunlight exposure can have a protective effect.” The best way to obtain Vitamin D is from the sun but it can also be found in foods like butter, egg yolks, liver and oily fish. Vitamin D and health Vitamin D is necessary for a healthy immune system, preventing cancers like breast and colon, for healthy bones and teeth, muscle function and hormones involved in heart health. Research is showing that Vitamin D is necessary for preventing autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of low vitamin D can be depression, frequent colds, tiredness, slow wound healing, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease and surprisingly head sweating! Vitamin D supplementation The NHS reports we get no vitamin D from the sun between October and March and it is difficult to get it from food alone. The best way to know if you are deficient is to ask for a test from your GP or purchase your home kit test here. A mid range level result is better than a high level. If you find you are deficient in Vitamin D you can consider supplementation with an oral Vitamin D spray. Remember that magnesium is required to change the storage form of vitamin D in to active Vitamin D. If you have low vitamin D levels it could be that you actually don’t have enough magnesium, especially if you know you get enough sun exposure.
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Proven Ways to Prevent and Treat the Flu
There is pressure on the NHS like never before. The advice on the NHS website for flu prevention is good hygiene and the flu vaccine. There are fears the current vaccines won’t hold off the viruses and a Cochrane review of the use of the flu vaccine in healthy adults found that influenza vaccination “shows no appreciable effect on working days lost or hospitalization.” You can read more here on the flu vaccine. Prevention is better than cure and if like me you choose not to have the flu vaccine, that at best has a modest effect in reducing influenza symptoms, there are other alternatives. The best way to avoid the flu or to lessen the severity is by arming your body, keeping it strong and vital. “We are the custodians of our bodies. We must take action to employ healthy lifestyle habits to prevent, reduce, and/or manage disease and illness.”― Bridgette L. Collins 10 Ways to Avoid Colds and the Flu Test your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is important for overall healthy immune function and Vitamin D is a preventative strategy against influenza. If you are found to be deficient you may want to supplement with vitamin D. If you have a virus take Andrographis. Studies are showing its efficacy in treating viruses and reducing the length of time of the illness. It also can prevent a virus. Get a good night’s sleep. Just one night of poor sleep lowers immunity, increases inflammation and raises your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Take a probiotic and include fermented food in your diet. Probiotic supplementation can reduce the severity and duration of colds and upper-respiratory infections in college students, researchers have found. Drink black tea, enjoy occasional red wine and eat blueberries or add blueberry powder to drinks and food. Mouse study reveals how gut microbes fight influenza. Stay active! Studies show that exercise slashes your risk of catching a cold or virus by nearly 50% and failing that made the virus less severe. Prevent the cold or flu with an allicin-containing garlic supplement. Garlic can also counteract virulent bacteria. Each AllicinMax capsule is equivalent to 40 cloves of garlic. Prevent and treat influenza with elderberry, a most potent anti-viral. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Make my Winter Warming Hot Toddy. Including cinnamon and star anise this wonderfully warming, anti-inflammatory, antiviral hot toddy is perfect for the season of winter ailments. The drug company Roche bought up 90% of the worlds supply of star anise to make Tamiflu the antiviral medication. Manage your stress. Support yourself with Ashwagandha and ReMag liquid magnesium. Granny was right! Wear a scarf (even cover your nose) and keep cosy. A health study at Yale University has shown that viruses reproduce more efficiently in cooler temperatures found inside the nose. The lower the temperature, the lower the innate immune response to viruses. Our best selling Thyme syrup is just the remedy to turn to if you experience a chesty cough. Thyme acts as an expectorant and helps thin and reduce the mucus that lines and blocks the air pipes leading to the lungs.
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Trust Yourself to Eat Right
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe I was brought up more or less a vegetarian. And although I no longer adopt this lifestyle choice I remember very fondly my mum’s famous nut roasts on a Sunday. I so wish I had taken down the recipe when I had the opportunity. Each meal was prepared with love and care, often with her sweating over the lovely red AGA. I also remember her bean stew, Spanakopita, Spanish omelette and homemade chips on a Saturday wrapped in newspaper to make it authentic. Coming home to the smell of freshly baked bread was heart warming. Breakfast for me was often toast with butter and honey. The evening meal would be enjoyed by the whole family sitting around our big beautiful table made from an old boat in Orkney. Meal times concluded with a pot of oolong or jasmine tea served from a Chinese teapot into small cups. The Chinese say that it is better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one. This has always resonated with me. There are so many diets out there, all selling you the reason you should adopt them. Many of them are mutually contradictive so who do you believe? It can be confusing often leaving you bewildered, unsure and possibly afraid. All I know is how I feel when it comes to what I choose to eat. Our body’s are so wise if only we listen and decide on our dietary needs consciously. In the best selling book The Blue Zones, Dan Buettner, a longevity expert travelled the world looking for the countries with the highest centenarians. What he discovered was that diets obviously vary. People living in Okinawa don’t eat like those living in Ikaria. Dan explains that, “no one thing explains longevity in the Blue Zones. It’s really an interconnected web of factors—including what we eat, our social network, daily rituals, physical environment, and sense of purpose—that propels us forward and gives life meaning.” This book was quite a revelation to me. The communities in this book trusted their food. They ate locally, traditionally, thoughtfully and gratefully. Today many people eat in a hurry, under stressful circumstances, barely noticing the food they should be enjoying. Whatever you choose to eat buy your food thoughtfully, be interested in how your produce is grown, how the animal is reared, and eat peacefully, around the table finishing with a nice pot of oolong tea. “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
The Elder – the medicine chest of the country people (Ettmueller, physician in the 1660’s) The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is such a beautiful versatile tree gifting us with a wealth of medicinal benefits. It’s THE antiviral to turn to during the winter months of potential ills. The homemade elderberry syrup recipe below is easy to make and will provide you with support through the coming months. Elderberry really is the winter remedy of choice and nature provides us with these wonderful berries just as cold and flu season begins. We are blessed to have this powerful medicine at our fingertips. When the fragrant elderflowers arrives in the summer it takes me right back to my youth going out with my father collecting these heady blossoms ready to be made into a tincture. We would take them home where they would dry out in racks positioned over the closed lids on top of the AGA. The house would be filled with the most beautiful summer fragrance. My father would then make a tincture. Always labelled in the Latin name, Sambucus nigra. The elderflower has a diaphoretic effect ie it induces sweating to break a fever. I actually remember being given this when I was a child to bring out a flu and when the fever breaks the body starts to heal. Interestingly elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995. It is also noted in the 2000 Mosby’s Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever. Elderberry has also been shown to be effective against avian flu. Both the flowers and berries have therapeutic benefits. Properties include immunostimulant, expectorant, emetic, diuretic, sedative and anti-inflammatory. More studies are being published all the time to show what a potent antiviral this is. Research has demonstrated that the HIV infection is inhibited by elderberry, so this incredible plant has far reaching benefits. Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe Ingredients 3 cups of elderberries (berries removed from the stocks) 3 cups of Billington’s molasses sugar (packed with vitamins and minerals) Method Rinse the berries with water in a sieve and add to a saucepan with the sugar (no extra water required). Gently bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a sieve squeezing the syrup through into a bowl below with the back of a tablespoon. Let it cool and pour into a clean jar and store in the fridge. Dosage: Preventative measure – 1 teaspoon daily for children and 1 tablespoon for an adult. If unwell dosage can be increased and taken every 2/3 hours. Purchase Elderberry syrup Studies on the Elderberry Elderberry, a potent antiviral in the treatment of HIV Elderberry action against influenza Natures powerful colourant in Elderberry The Elder through the ages
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The vague symptoms of ‘silent reflux’
What is silent reflux? Silent reflux symptoms can be vague but include: A chronic cough, often worse in the morning Hoarseness, often worse in the morning Throat clearing Sleep apnea Difficulty swallowing Shortness of breath Asthma Bad breath COPD Tooth decay A feeling of a lump in the throat If these symptoms sound familiar you could be suffering from silent reflux, also called laryngopharyngeal reflux. It can be a frustrating condition that is often misdiagnosed. Because you may not have the classic symptoms of acid reflux; acid coming up in to the mouth, burning throat, indigestion and abdominal discomfort, it can be difficult to diagnose and your doctor may be unaware you are actually suffering from silent reflux. Asthma is often one of the biggest misdiagnosis because silent reflux mimics asthma. It is useful to note that people with reflux will have trouble getting air IN during inspiration whereas those suffering from asthma have difficulty getting air OUT of the lungs. Commonly with silent reflux the symptoms are worse in the morning after lying down all night. The sphincters at the top and bottom of the throat which are meant to be tightly controlled can stay open allowing acid to splash up into the throat resulting in these symtoms. Conventional approach After diagnosis your GP will commonly prescribe Proton Pump Inhibitors. Unfortunately they don’t treat the root cause and may provide just short-term relief. Recent research has shown that these commonly used acid-supressing drugs can cause serious health problems and are linked to higher earlier death risk. Many people now take them long-term when they were only ever meant to be prescribed for a few weeks. In most cases reflux is actually due to too low stomach acid and not high stomach acid as commonly reported. We need stomach acid to digest food. While an acid suppressing drug may provide short term relief it does not address the root issue and may in fact worsen the problem. As we age stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) declines. Symptoms of low stomach acid frequently occur several hours after eating and can include a desire to eat when not truly hungry, feeling dissatisfied after eating, a sense of fullness after meals, abdominal gas, constipation and diarrhoea. Possible causes of silent reflux Stress, a lack of digestive enzymes, LOW stomach acid and inflammatory foods like gluten can all be at the root of silent reflux and a serious look at these factors should be considered. What to avoid Alcohol, tea, coffee, gluten and acidic foods including tomatoes and oranges should be reduced or eliminated to allow for healing. Recommendations to resolve silent reflux Make a slippery elm soothing drink three times daily. Or take a supplement. First port of call we advise in clinic. Drink chamomile tea. Chew DGL liquorice 20 minutes before each meal. Drink water in between meals, not with food. Volvic is recommended. Consider HCL. Consume bitter foods. Consume alkaline foods, including cider vinegar and lemons. Yes these have an alkalising effect on the body AFTER being consumed! Walk daily and practice deep abdominal breathing to oxygenate the abdominal area. Reduce stress factors. Ensure you are having restorative sleep. Create a healthy gut environment and heal the gut with a good quality probiotic.
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A Silent Public Health Crisis
Dr Carolyn Dean has called magnesium deficiency the ‘silent public health crisis.’ Magnesium a vital nutrient, is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is used in over 300 biochemical reactions. It is necessary for healthy bones, regulating blood pressure, restful sleep, muscle strength and vitamin D assimilation. Common signs of magnesium deficiency include – Muscle cramp or spasms Dizziness Poor memory No energy Low mood Depression Muscles weakness Heart issues Anxiety Weakness Confusion Insomnia Calcium deficiency Potassium deficiency Vitamin D deficiency Type II diabetes Magnesium burn Daily stress, exercise, alcohol and certain drugs deplete you of this most valuable mineral. Magnesium is just what you need when you lead a busy and demanding life but it is used up very quickly resulting in ‘magnesium burn rate’, the price you pay for stress! Modern farming methods have also depleted the soil of its natural magnesium, leading to depleted nutritional status of vegetables. Stores of magnesium need replenishing for protection, support, healing and recovery. It is one of the most common mineral deficiencies and research is showing how this can lead to poor health and disease. Magnesium to the rescue Magnesium is still used in hospitals in A&E in the treatment of heart conditions, eclampsia and asthma but should not just be used for acute care alone. Chronic conditions can also be successfully treated with magnesium. Magnesium calms the nervous system and regulates cortisol. That feeling of being heart-racey, nervous, wired-but-tired is a common complaint but can be alleviated quite quickly. Magnesium helps sleep. I find in practice a dose split between morning and evening is the best. If you have a stress-less day you are much more likely to sleep at night. If you understand that during the day magnesium can be used up due to stressors, arming yourself with a morning dose and replenishing in the evening makes sense. Magnesium deficiency reduces vitamin D effectiveness. Magnesium helps you activate Vitamin D into a form your body can utilise. The thyroid cannot function without magnesium. Alongside iodine magnesium is related to goitre or an enlarged thyroid gland. Magnesium is responsible for converting the inactive T4 thyroid hormone into the active form of T3. This is extremely important because the metabolism of your body cells are enhanced by T3, not inactive T4. Oral magnesium improves insulin sensitivity. Healthy insulin sensitivity is important for weight loss, PCOS and can prevent osteoporosis. Magnesium can reduce hot flushes by 50%, reducing inflammation and raised cortisol. Magnesium fuels cellular energy. Due to its high metabolic rate hormonal tissue requires more magnesium and is an ideal support for women suffering from PMS. Magnesium is an ideal muscle relaxant and can be really useful in sufferers of muscle tension, migraines and tension headaches. Magnesium can help an ailing heart. The heart has the highest requirement for magnesium of any organ, and with insufficient amounts the heart cannot function properly. High blood pressure, palpitations and atrial fibrillation may benefit from magnesium supplementation. One of the richest sources of magnesium is good quality dark chocolate, providing 176mg per 3.5oz bar. Other high magnesium foods include spinach, dark greens, broccoli, almonds, lentils, spirulina, chlorella and avocado. For therapeutic doses of magnesium ReMag liquid magnesium offers superior absorption. The recommended minimum RDA of magnesium per day is between 300mg and 400mg for adults. Half a teaspoon twice daily of ReMag provides the minimum RDA of magnesium. I love magnesium as it can make people feel better very quickly! It is one of my core staple supplements – half a teaspoon of ReMag twice daily in a little fresh orange juice. Calmness prevails:-) Antibiotics, diuretics and taking proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux can all interfere with magnesium absorption. Consider your intake of magnesium if you are taking any of these drugs.
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