Posted by JLx on September 20, 2003, at 15:57:30
In reply to HELP!!! first post here~maybe can get some answers, posted by galkeepinon on September 15, 2003, at 1:03:50
> Subject: headaches!!!!!!!!!
> I started the Lexapro 6 weeks ago. Recently, I've been having headaches. It could be due to my menses or it could be stress.Most people are deficient in magnesium, which has been found to be specifically helpful for many headache sufferers. PMS, with it's assorted symptoms, is also considered to be indicative of a magnesium deficiency.
"Magnesium depletes with stress, diuretics, fluoride, refined flour, chemotherapy, too much sugar, large amounts of protein and antibiotics. High fat foods decrease absorption of magnesium as do foods high in oxalic acid (such as spinach, tea, almonds, cocoa).
Possible signs of deficiency include: nervousness, increased cravings for sugar and sweet foods, constipation, heart conditions such as arrhythmia, hypertension, and high LDL cholesterol levels, migraines (without magnesium, arteries, especially in the heart and brain, tense up, causing these problems), poor concentration, irritability and nervousness, caused by poor transmission of nerve and muscle impulses."
http://www.theherbsplace.com/magnesium.htmlA high calcium intake in the diet or by supplements may overpower the magnesium you are getting.
I thought I had my basic mineral requirements covered by a multi-vitamin/mineral, but I didn't, as I didn't know many of the things I've learned recently about magnesium....such as that certain kinds of magnesium are poorly absorbed by the body, including magnesium oxide which is usually what is in most supplements. I was definitely depleted and feel much better since I have been supplementing.
Magnesium acetate, chloride, citrate, gluconate, glycinate, lactate, malate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate and taurate are considered absorbable.
Magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate are not.
Magnesium glutamate and aspartate, are probably contraindicated for depressives.
The RDA in the U.S. is 350-400. To get enough from your diet, you'd need to eat 2,000 calories a day, says Dr. Lam here, http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/1999-No3-MagnesiumandAging.cfm with a diet high in nuts, whole grains and legumes. The RDA in Canada, where the gov't foots the health care bill, is 600 mg.
An informative website is http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html.A good basic informational book is "The Magnesium Miracle" by Carolyn Dean, M.D. Here's an excerpt, where she specifically mensions PMS: http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0345445880&view=excerpt And headaches:
"Too much calcium entering cells can cause symptoms of heart disease (such as angina, high blood pressure, and arrhythmia), asthma, or headaches. Magnesium is nature's calcium channel blocker."
The more I learn about magnesium, the more amazed I am that this information is not getting more attention. Dr. Dean's book is well foot-noted, for instance, and these studies are not new! After I read it, I was glad for my heart's sake if nothing else, that I was already supplementing. I wish I'd been doing so for many years previously.
poster:JLx
thread:260116
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/261993.html