Magnesium and you

As a massage therapist for over three decades, a question I commonly ask my clients is, "has anyone mentioned Magnesium?" (umm, no ...) "it's a natural muscle relaxant, and with such tight muscles, you might want to look into taking some, ..." ... "really? Ok, I guess it's worth a try, ..." ...

I've been a fan of "Maggie" since reading Adelle Davis' and Jonathan Wright's books on nutrition, and take it regularly. In 1954, Adelle wrote, "persons only slightly deficient in magnesium become irritable, high-strung, sensitive to noise, hyper excitable, apprehensive and belligerent. If magnesium is severely deficient, the brain is particularly affected" Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit, p 170. Jonathan Wright: "if there's spasm, think magnesium!"
For several years, I've been a member of Morley Robbins' FB group, the Magnesium Advocacy Group, and have found it to be a wealth of information. Thousands of people around the world have benefited from upping their magnesium "the right way,", and following the protocol.

On the weekend, a friends hubby landed in the ER with chest pains, (scary!) Which turned out to be esophageal spasms! He's been having chest pains and migraine headaches for months - a potential remedy for both? Adequate Magnesium! 

Involved in over 325 functions (or Carolyn Dean, MD, ND and magnesium guru woo says 700-800) all hormone regulation, Magnesium is vital for health, yet 80% of our population are low in Maggie. 
Why? Commercial farming, using high phosphate fertilizers, drinking city water, eating processed, chemical laden, fortified and GMO "foods," experiencing stress, .... the list goes on! 

Enter Morley Robbins, and The Root Cause Protocol 

STOP

1. STOP Vitamin-D ONLY Supplements (Supplemental “vitamin”-D KILLS Liver Retinol that is needed for Cp)  More on Vitamin/Hormone-D…
2. STOP Calcium Supplements! (Ca BLOCKS Magnesium & Iron absorption)
3. STOP Iron Supplements! (Iron, or Fe SHUTS DOWN Copper metabolism) More on Iron Toxicity…
4. STOP Ascorbic Acid (Ascorbic Acid disrupts the Copper < > Cp bond)
5. STOP High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) & Synthetic Sugars (HFCS Lowers Liver Copper & Raises Liver Iron)
6. STOP LOW Fat Diet (Saturated Fat is needed for proper Copper absorption)
7. STOP Using Industrialized, “Heart Healthy” Omega-6 Oils! (e.g. Soybean, Corn, Canola Oils)
8. STOP Using products with Fluoride (toothpaste, bottled water, etc.)
9. STOP Taking “Drugstore” Multivitamins & Pre-natals (They contain the first four items above, plus trace amounts of fluoride)
10. STOP Using Citrate in Foods & Supplements (e.g. “Natural Calm”)
11. STOP Using Colloidal Silver as an Antibiotic (It lowers Copper status in the body! Nanonized Silver is ok)

START

1. START Magnesium (Mg) supplements (Jigsaw Mag SRT, Pure Encaps Mag Glycinate, Mag Oil, etc. See Magnesium Supplement Recommendations) to lower Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) & Cortisol. (Dose: 5 mg/lb or 10 mg/kg body weight.  Be mindful of the Mg cofactors: B6, Boron, and Bicarbonate.
2. START taking the Adrenal Cocktail (4oz fresh orange juice, 1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar and 1/4 tsp sea salt) at 10am and 2pm on an empty stomach to balance electrolytes.
3. START Cod Liver Oil supplements (1 tsp Nordic Naturals Arctic or 1 tsp Rosita) for Retinol, animal based Vitamin A.
4. START Whole Food Vitamin C supplements (Innate Response tablets or Pure Radiance Synergy powder: 400 – 800 mg/day (Key source of Copper)
5. START Using Mother Nature sources for B Vitamins:
   – take ½ tsp of Bee Pollen
   – take 1 – 2 tsp of Rice Bran (be sure to take AWAY FROM other foods)
   – eat 4 – 6 ounces of Beef (or lamb) Liver weekly
   (research shows that several B vitamins are KEY for Cp production. Please get these as noted above:) B2 (Riboflavin) – Key for Cu/Fe regulation in the liver; B5 (Pantothenate) – Supports the production of Vitamin C; B7 (Biotin) – Key for Cu/Fe regulation in the liver.
6. START Using Silica (Diatomaceous Earth) that stimulates an increase in Cp! (Start with 1 tsp in water at the start or end of the day, and work up to 3 tsp [1 Tbs] each day.)
7. START Boron (1 – 3 mg/day, or add 1 Tbs borax to magnesium baths) – aids in Synthesis of Cp, and regulation of Fe.
8. START Taurine (500 – 1,000 mg/day) Supports liver copper metabolism
9. START Ancestral Diet (HIGH Fat & Protein/LOW Carb) Good for Copper absorption
10. START Iodine (PREREQUISITE: Mg RBC & Se RBC need to be optimal) Until then, add Iodine rich foods like kelp, seaweeds, scallops, cod, eggs, cranberries, etc. to the diet.

Additional Factors to Consider regarding Ceruloplasmin (Cp):

• Chlorinated water is hard on Copper & Magnesium, thus is hard on Cp production.
• High dose Zinc supplements BLOCK Copper absorption, which reduces Cp production.
• Molybdenum is known to chelate Copper and BLOCK Ceruloplasmin production.

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I live in a town with fluoridated water, so I drink and cook with well water at home. I began

making boron solution (7) last year, and notice my shoulders are less "creaky" when I take it regularly. It also helps chelate fluoride, which in turn, helps decalcify the pineal gland.

I use Mag. Glycinate and chloride, and am a fan of Epsom Salt baths. I plan to start making the Adrenal Cocktail. (2) I'm already an "ancestral diet" fan (9), and get lamb from Karen at the Farmers Market. I'm one of her organ meat customers as well
(lamb liver, (5) kidney and heart.)
I just ordered more cod liver oil (3), and do like that form of vitamin D and omega acids. Taurine (8) is the nutrient I.was least familiar with, so I looked it up and found this list of benefits. Note that if you're vegetarian, lack of this nutrient can cause anxiety and fatigue, and it helps regulate insulin, so it's a good one to add! 

What do you think, are you ready to give Magnesium and its co-factors a try? (Watch Morley's "Theory of Everything" video for more inspiration, and an item by item run-down of his recommended protocol.) Let me know in the comments below! 

12 Days Fitness Challenge - Day 2

Besides my early morning Qigong (just 3 palms Rising today), my daughter Mary & 1st Granddaughter joined me at the pool for WATER AEROBICS! So an hour of cross country, crunches, dolphin kicks, pull ups (LOVE pull-ups on the side of the pool!) & weights. Then a bit of time in the hot tub, ahhh....

Nadya, Alyssa & Mary

I got to W A fairly regularly until my youngest grandson needed day care when Mama Mary returned to work, & I began spending mornings with the little guy ~ 2 1/2 years ago.

But with Mary & her hubby off this week, we've been able to go to the deep water class! It's been SO much fun to have Mary, then this morning 'Sissa join us! Our friend Nancy goes regularly, & we convinced her daughter 'Juju' (who used to babysit the kids) to come to - the 'girls' both agreed, but ONLY if the other was coming.

If you've never done water aerobics - it's fun, and a GREAT way to exercise if you have any limitations to movement. Our friend Donna, who's diabetic, isn't able to do high impact classes .... water aerobics classes are perfect for her!

Today marks my mom's passing - nine years ago!  She loved teaching her nieces & nephews to swim in the pond at home, but by the time I came along, the swimming pool was the only option.... that wouldn't be an issue for many folks, but my mom was on crutches from having polio when she was nine. Her ankles had been set for ~ 3/4" heels (popular in the 1920s), so she couldn't walk barefoot. & HATED to ask for any special treatment ... you had to shower, etc.
She did go swimming a few times long after there was a new pool with one of those lift slings, & I think she enjoyed it. So our 3 generation pool time today was extra special! Love you, little mama!!

Now, off with the granddaughters for a 'girl day!' 

Spa Water

Happy Easter!!
It's a lovely, sunny day, & I've been playing in my garden .... came in to put on some music, & found this fun post on making your own 'spa water' with fruits & herbs, etc marinating a bit in your water!

A dear harper friend often gathers FLOWERS (edible & OG) & herbs, & keeps a supply of pretty pitchers on hand for gatherings. The first I attended, she sent me out to the garden with a basket to gather the herbs & flowers, then we rinsed them & put into the pitchers with lemon slices for the tables! Beautiful. And tasty!

So if you struggle to drink enough water - try some 'spa water' with flowers & herbs from your own (hopefully unsprayed) yard! Remember to stick to plants you KNOW - here's a nice chart of edible flowers, with some tips on use & cautions.

Detox

Music to my soul, this week of honoring the body, & listening.

Being a Virgo, & a body worker, I am always encouraging folks to pay more attention to what they put in their bodies, how they move, & encourage them to drink more water!
Yesterday my dau. (who lives next door - tho she's thinking of moving across town - yikes!! Getting married in Jan, & they do 'need' more room - but it's SO handy right now!!) phoned & invited me to bring my matt over & join her in yoga - a perfect beginning!
In the evening, her girls stayed the night with me, & I did some Reiki on the little (4) one when she went thru her restless phase, then on myself as I (quietly) sang the Cherokee chants for the Chakras (for us all) . . . got out my drum this AM & played & sang a bit as we were waking up. Well - I woke up early, so finally came downstairs & wrote a bit!

Practices for today - I have an agave cloth, so used that for the 'dry brush' - do that occ, but usually forget to do it 'dry.'
I wash my face with oatmeal, with calendula, rose & lavender flowers - I grind them in my little seed grinder (electric 'coffee' grinder) & keep a jar in the bathroom. I always lite candles for baths/showers, & have a jar of Epsom salts with a bit of essential oils mixed in - clary sage & rose geranium. So shower & bit of a soak, with wash cloth to 'steam' my face. (Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal is loaded with great ideas - for cleanses, for body care products)

A favorite cleanse I use periodically is Chaparral Cleanse, as taught by Lalitha Thomas in her '10 Essential Herbs.' I highly recommend this little tome! She is a practical herbalist - what are things that are easy to use & effective?
I'll do at least a 6 day cycle, she recommends up to 21 days for full effectiveness. You use 1 teaspoon of leaves, & re steep for a total of 3 days, then repeat the cycle; 7 teaspoons of tea in all.

Chaparral Cleanse:
1 tsp of chaparral leaves
Cup of very hot - but NOT boiling - water
Steep overnight, strain & drink first thing in the AM

Using the same leaves, repeat, drinking a cup the 2nd & 3rd days, then discard leaves, & start with new leaves that evening. (1 tsp for 3 days, & always very hot water, not boiling!! I like to use a small french press, covered with a china lid while steeping, then I simply press the leaves before drinking.)

-- Since I didn't read about the suggested cleanse 'till today, I steeped the tea while taking the shower, using 1/2 tsp chaparral, 1/2 tsp olive leaves (also great for cleansing & detox!)
Whole chaparral leaves can be hard to find, as the FDA is uncomfortable with its use (she writes about that in her chapter) It's similar to the proscription on sassafras - if used as country folk do, occasionally for a detox, it promotes healthy livers. In experiments with lab rats being given huge doses over extended periods of time, they had liver problems. Go figure :) I get mine from Mountain Rose Herbs, here in Oregon. They focus on sustainable farming practices, wildcrafted & OG herbs - & some great 'clean' body care products!!

I will work on drinking more water this week - as others have said, city water sucks!! Darn it, they take perfectly good water & treat it! (at the resort, we filtered the Clarine back out of any drinking water.)

OK, so it's 'good' to make sure it's pure - but our city ads fluorine as well, which can be linked to bone loss, & various health problems. We're in a goiter belt, our soil lacks Iodine, chloride & fluoride displace iodide. . . . I use quite a bit of kelp, & have some iodine caps at my office, for days I go swimming (water aerobics)
I may also use some food grade betonite in water (clay - one of my fav. healing substances) this week.

My usual breakfast is my home made granola (some clients spoiled me last Christmas with a care package with some, & I've been making my own since! I use olive oil & OG agave nectar to sweeten, maybe 2 Tbsp for several cups) with plain yogurt, fruit in season (or frozen) & my 'yummy sprinkles.'

Yummy Sprinkles
2 Tbsp Milk thistle seeds
2 Tbsp flax seed (I bake the granola for ~ 15 min @ 20, & have some flax seed in another pan @ same time)
2 Tbsp sesame seeds WITH hulls (for calcium)
Grind in seed grinder (may need to do in a couple of batches) & store in the freezer (I sometimes add bee pollen, or a tsp of fennel seeds)

Lets see; I try to eat simply, lots of veggies, Rice & Lentils is our family standard (OG, natch) & I love the different shades of deeper brown, combined with the short grain brown.

Body image - I tend to 'normal weight,' tho since turning ~ 55, lol . . .
I've always had bigger hips & thighs - 'till I stopped drinking milk! I grew up with pasture fed cows, &no hormones that I know of, & raw milk. Found out this summer that drinking pasteurized milk, since that process destroys the lactase, can cause lactose intolerance. My former hubby had also grown up on raw milk, & became lactose intolerant after we divorced, as we'd gone to certified dairies to get raw milk.
I continued using local yogurt, but pretty much stopped drinking milk. I've never drunk coffee, so mostly have water or herb teas - often from my garden! & I have a couple of tea camellia plants (did you know 'black' & 'green' teas come from Camellias? Any place the ornamentals grow, so will the 'tea' - Camellia sinensis)
I eat some meat, try to keep that to wild (my son hunts) or OG. Mostly drink herb teas & water . . . . occ some wine, often a bit of port or sweet wine . . .

One thing I've noticed doing the SC process - my desire for sweets has dropped off - on Sat I cut cake at an event, & didn't even WANT a piece, . . . Chocolate - I keep some dark chocolate on hand, & find even that easier not to have.

The La Leche League (breast feeding support group) motto for nutrition was "Eat a wide variety of food, in as close to its natural state as possible." Local, OG (usually have at least a small garden!), from the rainbow, . . . & I live in a community that is getting more interested in supporting local small agriculture - weekly farmers market May - Oct, several Community Supported Ag. farms, . . . good Natural Foods store (I was on the old food-co-op board, & we sold the bus to them in the early 90s)

In the late 70s, before studying massage, I began taking Ballet, & while I strongly disliked PE (usually ball sports, with a jock teacher) I adore dance, in its many forms!! I began with Tai Chi with my massage practice, & enjoy belly dance, ecstatic dance, Nia, ballroom, round dance, jazzercize, . . . & deep water aerobics. In the winter it's harder to get myself up for that class - but I intend to go Tue :) Bike to work (good weather/ warm enough) & enjoy walking to downtown ~ 8 blocks) . . .

Love this week - love it, love it!!