Hi all.. I decided to take a break from magnesium for today and share a smoothie with you. It comes from Victoria Boutenko.

In the wintertime, we like to put ginger in our green smoothies. Curiously, we don’t like to use it much in the warm season. Lately I have been putting one inch of ginger root in my smoothie daily and today’s one tasted so wonderful that I decided to share its recipe with you.

1 bunch dandelion greens or any greens will do
1 ripe mango (with peel if it’s organic, but without pit)
1 ripe banana
½ inch ginger root
2-3 cups water

Blend well and enjoy.

Juicing a little fresh ginger into your glass of vegetable juice can aid the pancreas in its sugar metabolism as well as improve the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.

Fresh ginger can also warm the body up considerably, especially in the winter.

For a warm ginger tea, you can heat up a cup of water with a 1/2 inch piece of ginger cut up in it, strain, stir in a teaspoon of honey and enjoy!

Here's a raw Ginger Ale recipe from Montel Williams....

1/2 cup of a natural seltzer like Perrier
1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled
1 lime
1/2 lemon
3 tbsp. honey
1 cup of ice

Blend on high and serve with an orange slice.

Facts about Ginger
Ginger dates back over 3,000 years to India. Ginger is native to Southern Asia and has long been a staple addition to Asian cuisines. It is quite popular in the Caribbean Islands, where it grows wild in lush tropical settings.

Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine has recommended ginger for many gastrointestinal and blood diseases. It is used for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis and rheumatism. A little piece of ginger goes a long way. Look at the multiple benefits:
Enhances natural resistance for cold and flu.
Reduces inflammation.
Supports healthy digestion, offering 180 times the protein digestive power of papaya.
Soothes digestion.
Contains at least 12 anti-aging constituents that inactivate free radicals.
Supports blood platelet health and cardiovascular function.
Twenty-two known constituents inhibit inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase, supports prostate health.
May increase absorption and utilization of other nutrients and herbs by 2 to 2.5 times.
Ginger is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Selenium, and a very good source of Manganese.

Hear is a picture of froth from my juice today! similar to the creme on an espresso. YUM YUM dim sum...

Enjoy your smoothie

Amberlea

The Magnesium Miracle Part 4

Who is deficient? The most frequent question asked about Magnesium is "How do I know I need more Magnesium?" and "should I take Magnesium supplements?" Everyone could benefit from extra supplementation. However, there is a long list of possible symptoms and behaviors that can identify your need for Magnesium. The following 100 factors in 68 categories can help you recognize Magnesium deficiency. There's no way of knowing how many factors correlate with any one person's Magnesium deficiency, but if you find yourself ticking off a few dozen, you may want to see how many of your symptoms improve when you take Magnesium supplements.

Alcohol intake- more than 7 drinks per week, Anger, Angina, Anxiety, Apathy, Arrhythmia of the heart, Asthma, Blood tests with low Calcium, low potassium, low Magnesium, Bowel problems: Undigested fat in stool, Constipation, Diarrhea, Alternating constipation and diarrhea, IBS, Crohn's, Colitis, Brain trauma, Chronic Bronchitis, Caffeine(coffee,tea,chocolate), more than 3 servings per day, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Cold extremities, Concentration difficulties, Confusion, convulsions, Depression, Diabetes: Type 1,2 and Gestational, Fibromyalgia, Food intake imbalances: a) Limited in green leafy vegetables,seeds, and fresh fruit. b) High protein, Food cravings a) Carbohydrates, b) Chocolate, c) salt, d) junk food, Gagging or choking on food, Headaches, Heart disease, Heart- rapid rate, High blood pressure, Homocysteinuria, Hyperactivity, Hyperventilation, Infertility, Insomnia, Irritability, kidney stones, Medications, Digitalis, Diuretics, Antibiotics, Steroids, Oral contraceptives, Indomethacin, Cisplatin, Amphotericin B, Cholestyramine, Synthetic estrogens, Memory impairment, Mercury amalgam dental fillings, Menstrual pain and cramps, Migraines, Mineral supplements, a) take calcium without Magnesium, b) Take zinc without Magnesium, c) Take iron without Magnesium, Mitral valve prolapse, Muscle cramps or spasms, Muscle twitching or tics, Muscle weakness, Numbness of hands or feet, Osteoporosis, Paranoia, Parathyroid hyperactivity, PMS, Polycystic ovarian disease, Pregnancy: A) Currently pregnant, b) pregnant within one year, c) History of preeclampsia or eclampsia, d) postpartum depression, e) Have a child with cerebral palsy, recent Radiation therapy, Raynaud's syndrome, Restlessness, Sexual energy diminished, Shortness of breath, Smoking, Startled easily by noise, Stressful life or circumstances, Stroke, High sugar intake daily, Syndrome X, Thyroid hyperactivity, Tingling of hands or feet, Transplants of the Kidney or liver, Tremor of the hands, Water that contains the following: a) Fluoride, b) Chlorine, c) Calcium, and Wheezing....

Until next week..

Amberlea

The Magnesium miracle 3

WHAT DOES MAGNESIUM DO? Magnesium's hundreds of activities in the human body can be divided into five essential categories.

1. Magnesium's is a cofactor assisting enzymes in catalyzing most chemical reactions in the body, including temperature regulation.
2. Magnesium produces and transports energy.
3. Magnesium is necessary for the synthesis of protein.
4. Magnesium helps to transmit nerve signals.
5. Magnesium heips to relax muscles.

1. Cofactor in chemicals reactions Enzymes are protein molecules that stimulate every chemical reaction in the body. Magnesium is required to make hundreds of these enzymes work and assists with thousands of others.

2. Producing and transporting energy. Magnesium and the B-complex vitamins are excellent examples of energy nutrients, because they activate enzymes that control digestion, absorption, and the utilization of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Because Magnesium is involved with hundreds of enzymatic reactions throughout the body, deficiency can affect every aspect of life and cause a scare of symptoms. Of the 325 Magnesium-dependent enzymes, the most important enzyme reaction involves the creation of energy by activating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fundamental energy storage molecule of the body. ATP may be what the Chinese refer to as QI or life force. Magnesium is required for the body to produce and store energy. Without Magnesium there is no energy, no movement, no life, It is that simple.

3. Synthesizing protein. Magnesium is used in synergy with dozens of other vitamins and minerals to create structural components of the body. Under the direction of Magnesium, enzymes and nutrients modify the building blocks from food to create the body. Without Magnesium, there is no body. RNA and DNA, which contain the genetic blueprints for the formation of all the protein molecules in the body, are also dependent on Magnesium.

4. Transmitting nerve signals Magnesium permits a small amount of calcium to enter a nerve cell, just enough to allow electrical transmission along the nerves to and from the brain, then forces it back outside. Even our thoughts, via brain neurons, and dependent of Magnesium.

5. Relaxing muscles. Calcium causes contraction in skeletal muscle fibers, and Magnesium causes relaxation. When there is too much calcium and insufficient Magnesium inside a cell, you can get sustained muscle contraction: twitches, spasms, and even convulsions. Smooth muscles directed by too much calcium and insufficient magnesium can tighten the bronchial tract, causing asthma: cause cramping in the uterus and painful periods; and cause spasms in blood vessels, resulting in hypertension.

Who is deficient? Next week.....

Amberlea

Hello all...

The Magnesium Miracle part 2

A 1967 medical paper recommended magnesium, with some exaggerated unscientific enthusiasm, for conditions as varied as skin ulcers, depression, vertigo, heartburn, worms, kidney stones, jaundice, and gout. Most of these conditions are still treated with magnesium, and current research supports its use for a long list of ailments that you will read about in " The Magnesium Miracle" The amount of research on the topic of magnesium is staggering. Dr Dean has put it all together and sifted through thousands of pages of scientific studies, each of which begins with the acknowledgment that magnesium is of therapeutic value in treating a myriad of symptoms.

1. Anxiety and panic attacks.. Magnesium normally helps keep adrenal stress hormones under control.
2. Asthma.. Both histamine production and bronchial spasms increase with Magnesium deficiency.
3. Blood clots. Magnesium has an important role to play in preventing blood clots and keeping the blood thin without any side effects.
4. Bowel disease. Magnesium deficiency slows down the bowel, causing constipation, which could lead to toxicity and malabsorption of nutrients as well as colitis.
5. Cystitis.. Bladder spasms are worsened by Magnesium deficiency.
6. Depression. Serotonin, which elevates mood, is dependent on Magnesium. A Magnesium-deficient brain is also more susceptible to allergens, foreign substances that in rare instances can cause symptoms similar to mental illness.
7. Detoxification.. Magnesium is crucial for the removal of toxic substances and heavy metals such as aluminum and lead from the body.
8. Diabetes.. Magnesium enhances insulin secretion, facilitating sugar metabolism. Without Magnesium insulin is not able to transfer glucose into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood, causing various types of tissue damage.
9. Fatigue.. Magnesium-deficient patients commonly experience fatigue because dozens of enzyme systems are under-functioning. An early symptom of Magnesium deficiency is fatigue.
10. Heart disease.. Magnesium deficiency is common in people with heart disease. Magnesium is administered in hospitals for acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmia. Like any other muscle, the heat requires Magnesium. Magnesium is also used to treat angina, or chest pain.
11. Hypertension.. With insufficient Magnesium, blood vessels may go into spasm and cholesterol may rise, both of which lead to blood pressure problems.
12. Hypoglycemia.. Magnesium seeps insulin under control; without Magnesium, episodes of low blood sugar can result.
13. Insomnia.. Sleep regulating melatonin production is disturbed without sufficient Magnesium.
14. kidney disease.. Magnesium deficiency contributes to atherosclerotic kidney failure. Magnesium deficiency creates abnormal lipid levels and worsening blood sugar control in kidney transplant patients.
15. Migraine.. serotonin balance is Magnesium-dependent. Deficiency of serotonin can result in migraine headaches and depression.
16. Musculoskeletal conditions.. Fibrositis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, eye twitches, cramps, and chronic neck and back pain may be caused by Magnesium deficiency and can be relieved with magnesium supplements.
17. Nerve problems.. Magnesium alleviates peripheral nerve disturbances throughout the body. such as headaches, muscles contractions, gastrointestinal spasms, and calf, foot, and toe cramps. It is also used in treating the central nervous system symptoms of vertigo and confusion.
18. Obstetrical and gynecological problems.. Magnesium helps prevent premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea (cramping pain during menses), is important in the treatment of infertility, and alleviates premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in pregnancy. Intravenous Magnesium is given in obstetrical wards for pregnancy-induced hypertension and to lessen the risk of cerebral palsy and sudden infant death (SIDS) Magnesium should be a required supplement for pregnant women.
19. Osteoporosis.. Use of calcium and vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption without a balancing amount of Magnesium causes further Magnesium deficiency, which triggers a cascade of events leading to bone loss.
20. Raynaud's syndrome.. Magnesium helps relax the spastic blood vessels that cause pain and numbness of the fingers.
21. Tooth decay.. Magnesium deficiency causes and unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth.

Drugs such as painkillers, diuretics, antibiotics, and cortisone, many of which are inappropriately used for the aforementioned conditions, further deplete Magnesium and other minerals, allowing symptoms to get completely out of control. Surgery, malnutrition, third-degree burns, serious injuries, pancreatic inflammation, liver disease, malabsorption disorders, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, and cancer are all seriously stressful medical conditions requiring increased amounts of Magnesium.

Well, I realize there is so much to be said about this topic, I will highlight some of the things I feel are important and made me make a change in my magnesium intake. You can find Dr. Carolyn Deans book " The Magnesium Miracle" on amazon.

Until Wednesday.

Amberlea

The Magnesium Miracle: Part 1

Do you know that most of us today are suffering from certain dangerous diet deficiencies which cannot be remedied until depleted soils from which our food comes are brought into proper mineral balance? The alarming fact is that foods ( fruits, vegetables and grains) now being raised on millions of acres of land that no longer contain enough of certain minerals are starving us-no matter how much of them we eat. The truth is that our foods vary enormously in value, and some of them aren't worth eating as food. Our physical well-being is more directly dependent upon the minerals we take into our systems than upon the precise proportions of starch, protein or carbohydrates we consume. Laboratory tests prove that the fruits, the vegetables, the grains, the eggs, and even the milk and the meats of today are not what they were a few generations ago. No man today can eat enough fruits and vegetables to supply his stomach with the mineral salts he requires for perfect health, because his stomach isn't big enough to hold them! And we are turning into a nation of big stomachs. -From the 74th Congress, 2nd session, senate document no. 264, 1936

It is hard to believe that this Senate document about mineral deficiency was written as long ago as 1936. Today farmlands are even more mineral-deficient and fertilizers still don't fully replace those minerals. Magnesium is one of the most depleted minerals, yet one of the most important. We imagine that medicine has advanced to the stage of miracle cures, yet it's not technology that we're lacking but basic nutrients that power our bodies and give us our health.

Magnesium regulates more than 325 enzymes in the body, the most important of which produce, transport, store, and utilize energy. Many aspects of cell metabolism are regulated by magnesium, such as DNA and RNA synthesis, cell growth, and cell reproduction. Magnesium also orchestrates the electric current that sparks through the miles of nerves in our body. Magnesium has numerous physiological roles, among which are control of nerve action, the activity of the heart, neuromuscular transmission, muscular contraction, vascular tone, blood pressure, and peripheral blood flow. Magnesium modulates and controls the entry and release of calcium from the cell, which determines muscular activity. Without magnesium, muscle and nerve functions are compromised and energy is diminished. We are operating with the power turned off. Muscular weakness, soft bones, anxiety, heart attacks, arrhythmia, and even seizures and convulsions can result.

More than seventy-five years ago, scientists declared magnesium to be an essential mineral. Each year since then, research has revealed more ways in which magnesium in indispensable to life. Yet it is continually being lost from the natural food supply. There has been a gradual decline of dietary magnesium in the United States, from a high of 500 mg/day at the turn of the century to barely 175-225 mg/day today. The National Academy of Sciences has determined that most American men obtain about 80 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) and women average only 70 percent. In addition, most magnesium researchers find that the RDA is inadequate to prevent magnesium deficiency, making the above statistics of even more concern. In spite of this concern, few medical doctors are sounding the alarm, so it is left up to you to inform yourself and protect your health and that of your family. " The magnesium miracle, Carolyn dean, M.D., N.D."

Over the next few week I feel I must share the Miracle of Magnesium and what it has done for me and my family. I really had no idea about how important vitamins and minerals are for our health. Later after I give you some facts about Magnesium I will share how it has helped me and my husband Mike. I will try to write a few times this week, so if you want to check back please do....

Amberlea