CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Most Americans do
not get enough magnesium from their diets, a problem that causes a
range of health risks, according to a 50-year veteran widely
considered one of the world's leading magnesium researchers.
"It's startling, we're in pretty bad shape," says Burton M.
Altura, Ph.D., a professor of physiology and pharmacology at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center in
Brooklyn, N.Y.
"We have a gigantic deficit."
Altura has helped lead peer-reviewed research that has resulted
in more than 1,000 publications in prestigious scientific and
medical journals, including five articles in the journal
Science. He's also been interviewed by national and
international publications, as well as radio and TV stations, and
he's helping launch a new group of scientists and physicians called
the Magnesium for Health Foundation. Altura and his wife, Dr.
Bella T. Altura (a research
professor of physiology and pharmacology), have been named honorary
co-presidents.
Altura says the lack of magnesium – which is even more severe
among the elderly – could cause health issues, such as high
cholesterol, atherosclerosis (where plaque builds up inside your
arteries), high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, kidney
problems, inflammatory conditions and nervous disorders.
"Magnesium is like a gatekeeper and without it, you upset the
energy cycle within your body," Altura says. "We used to say
magnesium regulates more than 300 enzymes in the body. We've
realized it's more like 600 or more."
Among Altura's recommendations:
- Improving your diet by drinking bottled water rich in
magnesium, consuming less alcohol, which depletes magnesium, and
eating foods that contain a lot of the mineral. Examples include
kelp, dark chocolate, unprocessed wheat bran, wheat germ, almonds
and other nuts, molasses, tofu, brown rice, soybeans and seafood,
such as oysters, sardines and scallops.
- Taking magnesium supplements.
- Soaking in Epsom salt, which is actually magnesium sulfate.
Recommendations vary on how much Epsom salt to use and how often to
soak; here's what Dr. Carolyn Dean,
another member of the Magnesium for Health Foundation, has
suggested:
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/news/articles/the-doctor-of-the-future-says-many-americans-need-more-magnesium.php.
"Everyone knows if you soak in Epsom salt, it soothes your body
if you're bruised or have pain," Altura says. "That's because the
magnesium is being absorbed through your skin."
About Burton M. Altura, Ph.D
Burton M. Altura is considered
one of the world's premier magnesium researchers. During his more
than 50-year career, he has helped lead peer-reviewed research that
has resulted in more than 1,000 publications, including five
articles in the journal Science. He's also been interviewed
by national publications, and he's helping launch a new group of
scientists called the Magnesium for Health Foundation. Altura and
his wife, Dr. Bella T. Altura (a
research professor of physiology and pharmacology), have been named
honorary co-presidents. To learn more, please visit
www.ResearchGate.com and search for "Burton
Altura" to review almost 600 of his peer-reviewed
publications.
About Epsom salt
Epsom salt — actually magnesium sulfate — is one of the most
versatile household products, with uses ranging from creating
at-home spa treatments to soothing achy muscles to helping start or
improve gardens. It's been used therapeutically for hundreds of
years, and it's gaining a new generation of fans looking for a
safe, economical alternative in a sea of expensive,
over-the-counter remedies. Epsom salt is easy to use, easy to find
in your local pharmacy or grocery store and it costs about the same
per use as a cup of coffee. For more information, please visit
either www.epsomsaltcouncil.org or
www.facebook.com/epsomsalt.
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SOURCE Epsom Salt Council