High magnesium in a study with mice showed a “significant improvement in anemia, increased serum and erythrocyte magnesium, increased erythrocyte magnesium, increased erythrocyte potassium, reduced potassium chloride cotransport, and diminished cell dehydration.” [2]
Note the reference to increased hydration (diminished cell dehydration) when ample magnesium was present. This is because magnesium is water-attractive. And without enough water we dry up and die. Our whole electrical system relies on electrolytes and water for conductivity.
Magnesium deficiency and inflammation
Elderly populations tend to have decreasing levels of magnesium, which correlate with the onset of disease and the increase of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, THF-x), according to a number of studies. This means they tend to experience more oxidation, free radical damage and inflammatory responses. Older people also get more easily dehydrated because cells need the right electrolyte charge to take up enough water.
You can suffer from magnesium deficiency long before you feel the symptoms. A particular genetic study of magnesium deficiency using cDNA expression arrays found upregulation of TNF receptor 1 and IL-1 receptor type 1 as magnesium levels dropped lower. The researchers noted, “It is important to highlight that these changes in gene expression have been found very early in magnesium depletion – only two days after the deficient diet, and even before inflammatory symptoms and perceptible modification in cell functions appear.” [2]
It is interesting to note that genes respond quite quickly to magnesium deficiency, setting up a higher propensity for inflammation as magnesium drops lower. We therefore become more primed for inflammation, requiring only small triggers to initiate inflammatory responses. This hypersensitivity increases with age, coinciding with the body’s increasing magnesium depletion.
Asthma and bronchial conditions
Magnesium can also relax the muscles of the lungs and help to open airways via its control of calcium channels. Calcium contracts and magnesium relaxes. “The magnesium ion has an inhibitory action on smooth muscle contraction, on histamine release from mast cells and on acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerve terminals.” [3]
Magnesium defends against and reduces superoxide production. It acts as an antioxidant to donate electrons and help buffer acids and reduce free radicals that are produced in an immune system activation. This helps to restore pH balance.
Magnesium reduces pro-inflammatory mediators, and promotes synthesis of prostacyclin and nitric oxide, which in turn stimulate broncho- and vaso-dilation.[4] Thus, using magnesium chloride flakes dissolved in water in a diffuser or inhaler can help to relax chest and lung muscles, as well as to relax the cardiovascular system. Even better is if you can add some essential oils (mentioned later in this article).
A magnesium bath or footsoak can work wonders to relax the whole body, as well as to help detox. The feet are very good at absorbing magnesium, whilst also releasing waste toxins from the skin into the hot water.
Make sure to drink plenty of mineral water for hydration, with added magnesium flakes. Viral infections tend to dehydrate cells and thereby create more toxicity and acidity.
Massaging magnesium cream, lotion and/or oil into chest and back muscles can also relax and calm down the inflammation, relieving aches and pains.