One of my Starbuck’s buddies, Roger, recommended years ago that I watch “Mr. Saturday Night” with Billy Crystal http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104928/ If you haven’t seen it, it’s a classic show that deserves more stars… The star of the show is former comedian, Buddy Young, who was famous for building up the joke from the right field, and delivering the punch line from left field — and then would say: “You didn’t even see that coming, now did you?…”
What I’ve come to realize is that strategy is exactly what has shaped the world of nutrition in this country for the last 60+ years. Please, say more about that…
Here are some notable examples of “you didn’t see that coming…”:
We were told to stop eating saturated fat, but were never told that this would lead to an emphasis on grains >> Insulin Resistance >> Diabetes;
We were told to stop eating red meat, but were never told that three key components to produce proper levels of energy (Mg-ATP) in the heart are: CoQ10, Carnitine, and D-Ribose => all three found in red meat;
We were then exposed to rBST milk which created an explosive reaction on the part of consumers, but were never told that GMO foods and ingredients were being incorporated quietly into many of the foods that we ate; and
We were told to stop eating so much “Salt,” but no one ever told us that doing so would trigger a “Stress!” Hormone, Aldosterone, who’s job is to preserve Sodium in the body, at the expense of Zinc, Potassium and Magnesium.
Disheartening to learn, but it’s a “bait and switch” dynamic that is pervasive in our society.
While reading this morning, my focus began to settle on several articles on this critical “Stress!” Hormone, Aldosterone, and it’s powerful role in affecting the mineral balance and imbalance of the body. Like all hormones, it has a target job and it does it well. Maybe too well given our hyper-sympathetic lifestyle.
I knew of the Low Salt–Aldosterone dynamic, but was surprised to learn that two added mineral shifts caused a release of Aldosterone: 1) excess Calcium and 2) Magnesium deficiency. Does this sound like the Standard American Diet? Low salt, excess Calcium and lack of Maggie — OMg! And the wicked part of this dynamic is that the release of Aldosterone CAUSES Magnesium loss, along with Zinc and Potassium. This may, in fact, explain the growing issue of afibrillation that is fueled by mineral imbalances of Mg and Potassium.
My reason for bringing all this up… One striking observation over the last several years is the number of folks dealing with Adrenal Fatigue, with a decided emphasis on Cortisol control. But it turns that the Adrenal Cortex produces many, many Hormones, but notably Cortisol and Aldosterone, and yet no one ever talks about the latter — despite its damaging effect on our Mg status.
And thus, my mention of the “bet you didn’t see that one coming…”
Our focus has been conditioned to dwell on “Adrenal Fatigue” and excess Cortisol, but it I’m increasingly of the opinion that Hyperaldosteronism may be the sleeper issue… Excess levels of this powerful Hormone are wildly disruptive to the Electrolyte status, and the range of conditions that is attributed to the Hormone run amuk is notable.
And what keeps Aldosterone in check?…
Optimal levels of Magnesium. Period.
So what to do? Well there are many who think I’m a one-trick pony. I’ve not said this before, but I take great offense to that label…
Heck! I’m a two-trick pony! 1) please get your Mg status checked with the Mag RBC blood test, and 2) please take Mo’ Maggie! to deal with the relentless “Stress!” in your body.
“Stress!”
It’s a ubiquitous part of life, right?…
We’ve all felt that agonizing sensation in our gut when a deadline starts to loom, when our creditors start terrorizing us for more timely payments, when we have a fight with our spouse or significant other, when our car breaks down at the worst possible moment… And then the fun begins: the increased pressure, the feeling of being “on,” that veiled sense of fear — sound/feel familiar?
So what’s really going on?… That’s our body on Stress Hormones, especially Cortisol, the grand-daddy of the Adrenal Glands! It makes sure that we respond to these “Stressors!” — whether they be real or paper Tigers — and that we have enough energy to mobilize a response to the crisis. And under the right conditions, this “fight or flight” syndrome is supposed to subside… at least it has for the last 6 million years, give or take a decade.
And even animals face this same dynamic, but it seems that they are better at recovering from “Stress!” In fact, there’s a wonderful book written to that effect called Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, by Robert Zapolsky, (http://www.amazon.com/Zebras-Dont-Ulcers-Third-Edition/dp/0805073698) It’s a great book should you wish to delve deeper into this phenomenon of “Stress!” But what’s notable is that critters in the wild are constantly faced with “Stress!” — it’s an absolute in nature! All is bought and nothing is given — yet they don’t get the chronic symptoms that we two-legged critters get… After being chased by the Lion, they are able to effortlessly calm down and take a relaxing drink. Now why is that?…
I set out to get a better handle on that, because it didn’t make sense to me.
And as you might expect, lurking in the shadows was our friend and faithful companion, Maggie — or lack thereof. It turns out that there is both an inactive (Cortisone) and an active form (Cortisol) — OK, that makes sense. And in a body (human or animal) that has plenty of Magnesium, there is a natural process of acting on the impulse of this very strong Hormone, and then being able to “calm down,” naturally and effortlessly. But it seems that in the last decade or two, we seem to have lost the natural ability to do so.
Now, anybody who’s followed my nostrums for the last couple of years knows that I’m quick to tell folks who are overwhelmed with “Stress!” — “Take Mo’ Maggie!”
With increasing frequency, we are learning that Maggie is the “Chill Pill” (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201106/magnesium-and-the-brain-the-original-chill-pill) and that it provides “calm energy.” And for those that have dug a bit deeper, you’ve learned that there’s actually an inverse relationship between Cortisol and Magnesium. So, when Maggie’s down (as it would be under “Stress!”), Cortisol’s up! And vice versa… But what I learned recently is why, and I’d like to share that with you…
As you might expect, it involves an enzyme or two, known as the 11beta-Hydroxysteroids, which manage the conversion of Cortisone into Cortisol and back. And back, you say?… Yes, you see our body’s are supposed to effortlessly move back and forth between “fight and flight”(Sympathetic state) and “rest and recovery” (Parasympathetic state). And here’s the actual biological equation that runs this pathway (please forgive my geekness): 11beta-Hydroxysteroid + NADP+ <==>an 11beta-Oxysteroid + NADPH + H+
The very enzyme, 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase type 2 (11-BHDT2), is what converts Cortisone >> Cortisol to deal with the “Stress!” and then back to >> Cortisone, once the crisis is over. OK, OK, that’s impressive, but I don’t see Maggie anywhere in that equation, and neither did I.
But I kept digging, and digging… and then I came across this important article: Spontaneous activation of NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system: unexpected multiple effects of magnesium ion concentrations It turns out that the very mechanism to convert NADP >> NADPH requires Magnesium! And without sufficient Maggie, there ain’t no NADP >> NADPH+. And if there ain’t no NADP, there ain’t no recycling of Cortisol back to its storage state that is not so toxic to our body…
And this is but one of thousands of roles that Maggie plays in our bodies — non-stop, day-in and day-out. In fact, many who are familiar with this vitalizing mineral suggest that it does too much! In some respects it does, but it’s because it plays such a key role in the functioning of hundreds and hundreds of enzymes in our body. (For the moment, I’ll let it slide that there’s a “Magnesome” [docking station] that has recently been confirmed on 3,751 proteins — no other element or mineral comes even remotely close to that level of presence and importance in the metabolism on the body.)
OK, so there you have it.
My recommendation still stands… when you feel your Magnesium Burn Rate accelerating due to a rise in “Stress!” — Take Mo’ Maggie! And I strongly advise a daily regimen of the “full-court” press: Mg supplements, Mg water, and a good Mg Cl oil to bathe your skin — the largest organ of your body.
And now you’ll know exactly how Mg helps you deal with both the crisis, as well as the recovery that is supposed to happen naturally — when we have more than enough Maggie — inside our bodies and ultimately inside our cells! A votre sante!
It’s ubiquitous…
Everyone is consumed with “Stress!” and it’s devastating affect on our body…
And we all are being schooled to know that “Stress!” triggers the release of Cortisol — the Master Stress Hormone. Keep in mind, this very process has been going on inside our Ancestors’ bodies for 6 million years, give or take a decade… And there’s even a best-selling book that outlines this stress dynamic — even with wild critters! The interesting thing is that Zebras and other critters in nature don’t seem to get “Stressed Out!”
Now why is that?
“Stress!” is life… So, stress hormones are a part of life and have been. But it seems that “Stress!” seems is now taking a greater, and greater toll on our body.
As you likely know, Magnesium helps us deal with “Stress!” — right?… And those who’ve bothered to research this dynamic knows that there’s an inverse relationship between Maggie and Cortisol — when Mg is high, Cortisol is low, and vice versa. And while I find that comforting to know, I decided to do some digging and see what is really going on and see if I could determine what’s causing this intensified reaction to “Stress!”
It turns out that
Monday, June 17th, 2013 started with my good friend Kevin Cottrell asking me to comment on this Infographic, particulary for a colleague who was worried about being pre-diabetic…
This was my response… “Stress!” causes Mg Loss. Period. As Kevin notes above, the greater your # of “Stressors!” the greater your Mg Burn Rate (or MBR). What are some notable “Stressors?”: SAD diet (processed food), lack of sleep, heavy metals (fillings), excess Calcium in the diet (btw, Osteoporosis is a Mg deficiency issue, NOT a Calcium deficit — I didn’t believe it at first, either…), environmental toxins (think Monsanto!), Rx meds (most medications today CAUSE Mg loss), mental & emotional worry (feeling of “helplessness” is among the greatest burns of Maggie…), etc. Trust me, I could go on, and on, and on, but then you’d think me MAD! It turns out that our bodies run on Magnesium, but we’ve never been told that!… As for Diabetes, the unwritten truth is that Insulin Resistance is CAUSED by Mg deficiency. There’s a key enzyme (Tyrosine Kinase) that makes sure that Insulin gets recognized at the cell wall and gets the glucose inside the cell where it can be made into energy (Mg-ATP, energy currency of the cell). It takes 54 Mg molecules (INSIDE the cell) to convert that sugar into Mg-ATP!
It turns out that that very enzyme is ACTIVATED by Mg! What to do? Get a Mag RBC and find out your metabolic Mg status. It’s all laid out at www.gotmag.org/how-to-restore-magnesium/ Best thing to do, assume that the conventional approach is off base… Why? Because they’ve NEVER told you about the Mg connection! Not an insignificant oversight… There are actually ~9 different components of Diabetes that are CAUSED by Mg deficiency, but I elected to overlook that as it begins to border on the unbelievable… As you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. Join the FB group Magnesium Advocacy, or reach out and ask away: morley@gotmag.org or 847.922.8061 (M) A votre sante!… And Kevin, as always, thanks for your relentless pursuit of the truth…
I love this article… It underscores the absolute insanity of the conventional medical system (of which I was a part of for 32 yrs) Here’s my favoreite part of the article:
“Treatment is difficult,” said Dr. Heinrich Taegtmeyer, principal investigator and professor of cardiology at the UTHealth Medical School. “Physicians can give diuretics to control the fluid, and beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors to lower the stress on the heart and allow it to pump more economically.”I was soooo stunned by this glaring distortion of the truth, I was moved to download a copy of the entire study. No where is there any mention of how the Heart actually manufactures energy and that without Magnesium, the energy show comes to a complete standstill… as in heart attack!
Now I’m not expecting you to actually read this complete article, but what is particularly noteworthy is that in this 26-page article there’s one very important word missing: Magnesium! It doesn’t even appear once. Not even as “Mg!”
That is absolutely unconscionable, particularly in light of the Infographic above. The breakdown of Glucose requires Mg. Pure and simple. It is Biochemistry 101. And while the Heart doesn’t prefer to get its fuel from Glucose — saturated Fat is by far the preferred source — Glucose is still an important source of energy. And for those who are curious, energy is spelled “Mg-ATP” in the human body, esp. in the Heart!
What I should also point out is that “diuretics,” “beta-blockers,” “ACE Inhibitors” all do the job that Magnesium does naturally in the Heart, but onlywhen it is present in optimal amounts, which is hard to do when we’re sooooo “Stressed Out!” And the coup-d’etat of this medication conundrum is that each of those cardiac Rx meds causes Mg loss. Imagine that. Take a moment and reflect on the implications of that for the Heart…
If you are at all concerned about your Heart’s health, please know that Magnesium is, without question, the most important nutrient that you can take to ensure optimal cardiac functioning. More on that is subsequent posts… In the meantime, just take Mo’ Maggie!
I’ve often wondered in the last few years why Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, “the Dean of Magnesium” has a fascination with Yeast Infections… Well, a post on the Magnesium Advocacy FB page by one of our MAG-pies, Angela Meister, (May 17th, at 8:45am) prompted me to look deeper into the MTHFR gene mutation issue, and unbeknownst to me, delve into the wacky world of Yeast Infections!… (If you haven’t read this important article by Dr. Ben Lynch, please do so at your earliest convenience.)
So what does Mg deficiency have to do with MTHFR gene? Apparently, plenty!…
This is a wonderful article, and Dr. Ben Lynch is to be commended for writing it! This blog highlights some important information about the MTHFR gene mutation and what some key factors are that trigger its malfunction – a very vogue and contemporary nutritional issue today. In fact, after the obsession folks have with Hormone-D, I’d say this has to be the topic-du-jour.
That said, I’m not buying it… Anyone surprised?
Key to this article is the diagram below which highlights the various players in the Methionine Pathway. Dr. Ben is spot on with his focus on the Methionine Synthase [MS] enzyme, but apparently he and most other practitioners have overlooked a profound issue facing Americans and their penchant for
processed foods.
As he notes, “[MS] Enzymes do not work well if they: 1) lack the active substrate such as methylfolate (Vit-B9), 2) lack cofactors such as methylcobalamin (Vit-B12), and 3) are exposed to inhibiting compounds such as heavy metals, solvents, chemicals, and toxins.” OK, I’m totally on board with all that. But then he goes the extra mile to point out that MS has a few potent inhibiting compounds — one of which is produced by Candida. And that product is? Acetylaldehyde!
OMg!…
That totally changes the landscape of the MTHFR “mutation” issue… It does?!?… Yup, and now I’m beginning to understand how this “genetic crisis” is upon us, and how it is eluding the best and brightest in the healing arts.
It turns out that Acetylaldehyde is a byproduct of ethanol metabolism… Hmmmm…. In fact, as you dig into this topic, you come to learn that there are four classic routes that bring Acetylaldehyde (AH) into our bodies and brains – btw, AH is a very potent neurotoxin. It’s actually quite destructive, as anyone who’s had a hangover knows. Yes, it’s excess AH that brings us to our knees after a night of too much partying! And those four key routes of AH arrival are:
Alcohol consumption
Candida Albicans (the “Yeast syndrome”) – which produces alcohol…
Exhaust from cars and trucks
Cigarette smoking
Wow… these are all classic “Stressors!” that drain the body of Magnesium. So why would the body create a neurotoxin that is so destructive and not have an antidote to neutralize it? Well, it turns out that, in fact, there is another key enzyme that enters the scene: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase. And lo, and behold, it turns out that Magnesium (Mg++) helps ensure proper activation and functioning of this key enzyme in our body. It’s job — break down the AH and turn it into Acetate, which can then be used as fuel in cellular energy production within the Krebs Cycle.
So, what do we now know? These key “Stressors!” are known stimulants to increase the production of Acetylaldehyde. But they are also known triggers for Mg loss. What is well known and documented is that Alcoholics convert alcohol (Ethanol) to AH very QUICKLY, but convert AH to Acetate very SLOWLY. And what we also know is that Alcohol is the fastest sugar on the Planet, but it’s also a known diuretic, meaning it causes significant Mg loss in the urine, thus explaining why the AH cannot be flipped to Acetate due to ineffective Aldehyde Dehydrogenase enzyme – all for lack of this vital, catalytic mineral we affectionately know as “Maggie!”
What is also known, is that overuse of Antibiotics, Birth Control Pills, Cortisone/Pregnisone, as well as “Stress!” (which actually causes increased production of Cortisone… not an insignificant fact, btw!…), excessive sugar consumption and malnutrition also lead to Yeast overgrowth, which then causes an increase in AH in the gut. OK, OK, so what’s the big deal, and why should I care, especially given the MTHFR issue?
Alrighty, I totally understand your impatience… Let’s take a look at the figure below:
Sooooo, here’s the recap… Know anyone who’s taken antibiotics – multiple times? Taken Birth Control Pills? Under constant “Stress!”? Has a craving for sweet food/beverages (Starbucks anyone?!?…) In effect, there’s no one in America that hasn’t been exposed to these “Stressors!” which lead to excess Candida, and thus a Yeast Infection, and subsequently Magnesium loss — now I’m beginning to understand Carolyn Dean’s obsession with this issue!
There are three important take-aways from this information:
The really BIG news is the effect that increased Acetylaldehyde has on the Methionine Synthase (MS) enzyme. According to Dr. Ben, this toxin (AH) brings MS to its knees. And by virtue of that, it totally disrupts the Methylation and Sulfation Pathways as noted in the diagram at the start of this article. Wow, even I’m impressed! But this dysfunction is NOT due to a “gene mutation!” – it is very much Epigenetic (as I’ve always suspected…) due to excess “Stressors!” and the lack of proper minerals, especially my favorite, Magnesium, prevents the proper breakdown of this neurotoxin, Acetylaldehyde… Note: the “Stress!” of AH causes the metabolic dysfunction.
It’s worth noting the metabolic affects that excess AH has on both the health of our Red Blood Cells, as well as the health of our gut, as noted on the far right column of the diagram above. These are powerful impacts that affect access to Oxygen throughout the body, energy metabolism (lack of B1 & B3), Brain function (lack of B5), as well as the function of our Adrenal Glands (lack of B5), which then affects our ability to respond to “Stress!” — only intensifying our loss of Magnesium.
And finally, what I want the reader to note is that an important and ubiquitous source of “alcohol” in our diet comes by way of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Mind-boggling to think about, but this so-called sugar, converts to ethanol, just like the more traditional alcohols do. The implications are staggering as we begin to assess how pervasive this sweetener has become in our national diet.
My head is spinning with the implications of this new dimension of dysfunction. Truth be known, it’s cranked my Mg Burn Rate! I’ll get over that, but my concern is that there are millions of unsuspecting Americans that have no clue how their daily diet of processed foods and sodas are fueling this neurotoxin (AH) to disrupt major metabolic pathways that then lead to serious chronic conditions.
Please keep in mind, this is a preliminary, working model. It’s subject to challenge and to change – all of which I welcome. My only request is that folks read this blog a couple of times slooooowly to fully process its many implications. This is subtle, but serious stuff. And it underscores, yet again, just how disruptive improper enzyme function(s) can be to create metabolic chaos, and dis-ease. Another notable example would be the three enzymes (LCAT, Lipoprotein Lipases, and HMG Co-enzyme-A reductase), that are ALL Magnesium-dependent, that spawned a global empire of Statins due to Cholesterol and Triglycerides run amuck — again, all for lack of Magnesium.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ll look forward to your thoughts, your comments, your suggested revisions, and oh yes, your follow-up questions…
