Posted by Larry Hoover on March 29, 2003, at 10:55:32
In reply to Re: Miraculous results with magnesium!, posted by JLx on March 29, 2003, at 10:19:11
> > Another excellent form is magnesium malate, something highly recommended for fibro sufferers.
>
> I confess to not understanding the science behind the different types of magnesium available. Do you know why malate specifically would be recommended for that?The second term in the name of a magnesium salt, for example, is called the counter ion. In a magnesium salt, the magnesium is ionized, taking on a positive charge, and the counter ion is negative, forming a neutral molecule. In the case of magnesium chloride, the chloride has no physiological effect, as chloride is one of the most common ions in the body already. What makes it so effective is its high solubility. In the case of other counter ions, e.g. aspartate or malate, the counter ion does have an independent physiological effect. In essence, some magnesium salts have a single mode of action (neutral counter ion), whereas others have dual effects.
Malic acid, if I recall correctly, enhances the Krebs cycle activity. The Krebs cycle is the process used by the body for liberating energy from fat.
I personally happen to have some of the symptoms of fibro. Given that malic acid may be beneficial for the condition, I *may* obtain more benefit from magnesium malate than from magnesium chloride, for example.
> > I suggest a more cautious position than you, however. I agree that nutritional issues may be prominent in many mental disorders, but I think there are other unrelated factors. I think everyone should try different suppportive nutrients, to see if improvements are possible via methods which are entirely within the subjects' control. That's what I most like about nutritional strategies, they are totally within my control. I do better when I monitor and supplement my intake of nutrients than when I do not trouble myself to do so (and trouble myself is an apt phrase here). I am what I eat.
> Yes, it is a lot of trouble to figure out supplements and nutrition, especially given the conflicting advice from the various factions, but that's what I like about it too, having control.Supplements are cheap, generally safe, and in my control. I like those characteristics.
> What I've discovered now that I am no longer depressed (wow, I like saying that! :)) is that depression creates its own logic -- "I'm depressed because of .....", but once you're out of the state of depression -- Poof!-- all that "stuff" is just gone.It is only because I have stabilized my mood with supplements that I was able to determine that I have other comorbid conditions. All we knew before was that I was a very complicated treatment-resistant depressive. Now I'm a depressive with comorbid PTSD, chronic fatigue/fibro something or other (I find that diagnostic definitions are limitations. I don't fit neatly into the diagnostic categories, and that limits their utility to *me*.), and irritable bowel syndrome. And there are nutritional strategies for those other things, too.
>You probably have read Kramer's book, "Listening to Prozac".
Nope, sorry.
>What I remember best from that book was his observation that people's personalities appeared to be changed by Prozac, so what did it mean after all to speak of "personality"? I feel like my personality is changed now too, but BACK to when I was much younger, so this feels like more "me" than ever.
I think we are all environmentally reactive, and strictly speaking, I consider medications to be environmental influences.
> I read Eby's site before my last psychiatrist appointment and specifically asked him about magnesium, and received a negative response. Good thing I ignored him! ;)Let him come to ask just what has contributed so much for your well-being. I bet he remains a skeptic, nonetheless.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:214008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/214048.html