Posted by Todd (216.199.4.139) on February 27, 2000 at 08:45:23:
In Reply to: Magnesium posted by Dave on February 27, 2000 at 05:25:19:
Here's a quote from the above-linked article:
"Magnesium also acts competitively for calcium channels; therefore, it simulates a calcium channel blocker's mechanism of action."
Couple of thoughts-
-magnesium may be beneficial to CH just as Verapamil (a calcium channel blocker)is and for exactly the same reason.
-differing levels of magnesium may play a factor in the varying doses of verapamil different people have posted (sure, the standard body weight, etc is a factor, but just for an example, Elaine was on a very high dosage and she weighs less than the average Labrador Retriever)
-the apparent loss or decline of effectiveness of verapamil might be related to a fluctuation in magnesium level
On the other hand, if magnesium deficiency is a factor, one would expect to see other symptoms of this, such as "neuromuscular hypertonicity, psychiatric disturbances, potassium or calcium problems, or cardiac effects".
And just to add a bit of complexity, serum magnesium levels do not accurately reflect the level of magnesium in the body. This is because magnesium is primarily an intracellular and skelatal ion. It is believed that magnesium absorption is inversely proportional to level, i.e., when given an infusion of magnesium, the more you absorb (as opposed to excrete), the higher your level of deficiency. So, the best test for magnesium deficiency is to be infused with a known dosage,(typically 3.6g) intravenously over a 12 hour period while also undergoing 24-hour urine collection and urinalysis to determine the absorption (or excretion) percentage. Just try getting the insurance company that won't cover O2 or more than 2 Imitrex kits/month to pop for THAT test!