Magnesium - Common Group Symptoms
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Mar / Apr VOL VI NO 2.
Dr Alka A Rajpuria
Introduction
Magnesium's chemical symbol is Mg. It belongs to the group of elements called: Alkaline Earth Metals. It has a density of 1.738 gms per cc at 20 degree C. Its atomic weight is 24.305, and its atomic number is 12. Magnesium melts at 650 deg C and boils at 1100 deg + 10 deg C. Magnesium plays a vital role in the life of plants and animals. Chlorophyll which green plants use for Photosynthesis, contains Magnesium. It also takes part in duplication of RNA and DNA and thus in Heredity. It also activates many of the enzymes that speed up chemical reactions in the Human body.
Normal Sources : Whole grain wheat bread and cereals, beans and peas, nuts and dark green vegetables.
Magnesium has a circulation in the earth similar to that of Calcium between the lithosphere and hydrosphere. It is found in the upper earth surface in great amounts. Magnesium is obviously present in every living cell, indeed in the muscle and nervous tissue [strongest] in the cerebrospinal fluid the Magnesium content is higher than in the serum.
The normal level of Magnesium in blood is 1 -3 mg/100 ml.
Physiological Function
1] 70% of the total magnesium content of the body is combined with calcium and phosphorus in the complex salts of bone fluids.
2] Magnesium ions act as activators for many of the phosphate group transfer enzymes.
3] It is found in certain enzymes, such as co-carboxylase
4] It functions as a cofactor for oxidative phosphorylation
Distribution
| Whole 6100 | 2-4 mg/100 ml |
| CSF | 3 mg/100 ml |
| Muscle | 21 mg/100 ml |
| Infants | 100-150 mg |
| Children | 150-200 mg |
| Adults | 200-300 mg |
Absorption
1] A greater part [40 to 50 %] of the daily ingested Magnesium [200-300 ml] is not absorbed.
2] Very high intake of fat, phosphate, calcium and alkaline diminish its absorption
3] Parathyroid hormone increases its absorption.
Excretion
2/3 of the total excreted Magnesium is excreted in the feces and the remaining 1/3 into the urine.
Disease State
1] Magnesium deficiency causes depression, muscular weakness and liability to convulsions. The serum magnesium level is below 1 mg/100 ml
2] Its deficiency has also been observed in chronic alcoholics with the low serum magnesium and muscular weakness.
3] In cases of Kwashiorkor, the serum Magnesium level is low, causing weakness.
4] Low values for serum magnesium have been reported in uremia, normal and abnormal pregnancy rickets, growth hormone treatment, hypercalcemia and the recovery phase of diabetic coma, hyperparathyrodism.
Causes Of Magnesium Deficiency
Prolonged diarrhoea or vomiting.
Magnesium Excess
Mainly occurs in acute and chronic renal diseases and contributes to the central nervous features associated with uremia.
Common compounds which are mainly used in Homoeopathy are: Mag-carb, Mag-mur, Mag-phos, Mag-sulph.
Common Symptoms of Magnesium Group are as Follows
1] The main feeling of Mag is of tremendous internal anxiety and insecurity but this feeling is usually depressed.
2] The Mag needs nourishment and care of parents to come out of this forsaken feeling.
3] Mag patient seems quiet, self confident, unaffected composed and matter of fact, they not only take care of themselves but even seems to be taking care of others specially their mother. The anxieties are repressed.
4] a] The repressed emotions of Mag patient often manifest in dreams. The real meaning of dreams is not clear since they dream of dangerous situation but there is no feeling of danger.
b] Second polarity is total absence of dreams which indicates a severe repression. The Mag patients who do not dream are mere indicators ie they might be sleepless and they cannot attribute this to any reason.
Mag patient has a history of being neglected in some way by parents. Such people tend to become self-sufficient, non-demanding and repress emotion to a great extent. This state persists even if it changes their life situations later on.
Physical Symptoms
In Mag patient discharges stain the cloth and the stains are difficult to wash off. EXAMPLE: Perspiration stains the linen yellow. Menses are blackish and can leave indelible stain. Also Mag patients have either craving or aversion to vegetables. The patients of Mag are weak, chilly, sweaty, sour smelling. These patients often crave for meat and fruits. Above symptoms are commonly found in Magnesium group. Clinical symptoms are differentiated according to the compound.
