Posted by jujube on November 1, 2004, at 9:41:39
In reply to Re: Magnesium/calcium/chromium » jujube, posted by JLx on November 1, 2004, at 9:06:41
> > Thanks JL. I think I will try the magnesium again, but at a lower dose this time. As for the calcium, I may consider adding a small dose. However, a few months ago when I had blood work done (I was being treated for iron deficiency at the time), it showed my calcium levels as being slightly elevated. I do eat a lot of yogurt and cheese, so maybe I don't need extra calcium.
> >
> > Tamara
>
> Sure, most likely not.
>
> I'm always trying to understand the calcium/magnesium thing. My understanding is that if you take/eat too much of each and not enough of the other, you perversely don't even get enough of the one you're taking too much of. If you follow.... :)
>
> I suspect that I wasn't actually getting much calcium for years despite my high calcium diet because I was getting so little magnesium (and a lot of phosphorus). Then I went the opposite direction. Now I'm trying to figure out the happy medium, while also still being sensitive to calcium supplementation (it makes me irritable). Dietary calcium doesn't have the same effect on me although I've cut dairy products out almost entirely. (I'm very suspceptible to the casomorphin thing, I think, as they're very addictive for me.)
>
> Did your doctor tell you why your blood calcium was high? Was the high calcium causing your iron deficiency? (I've read that it interferes with iron absorption.)
>
> Btw, I took some chromium last night, and although my dog woke me up once and I woke up again later briefly for no reason, I slept more hours overall. So, thanks. I'm going to keep trying it. Did you know that cinnamon lowers blood sugar? WebMD even had an article about it, but this is a better one: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68
>
> JLThanks JL. The slightly elevated calcium levels were actually detected by the gastrointerologist I was seeing (it was thought that I may have had a malabsorption problem because I was not responding to the months of iron supplementation to correct the iron deficiency). When I told my gp about the elevated calcium level, she immediately did some tests (parathyroid and another I think). All was normal, so it may have just been a blip. From what I have read, high calcium (hypercalcemia) can cause a whole host of problems (anxiety, depression . . .).
As for the chromium, when I first starting supplementing, I tried taking it during the day for a few days as well as at night, but daytime dose seemed to make feel fatigues. So, now I only take about 200 - 300 mg just before bed. I was not aware that cinnamon lowered blood sugar levels. Thanks, its something to keep in mind. I think the chromium works differently in that it regulates blood sugar. So, I would think that it would probably be suitable for those with high or low blood sugar. I am beginning to think that some of my problems may be blood sugar related, although a glucose tolerance test did not indicate diabetes or hypoglycemia. Even though I eat a good, well-balanced meal in the evening and try to eat well during the day, I wake up in the morning feeling anxious and like I haven't eaten for days. That feeling is lessening since I added the chromium about a week ago. The other thing about chromium is that it is supposed to reduce carb cravings and help with weight loss (at least that is what I have read - who knows).
With respect to magnesium, I had been using oxide (in some of my readings I had read that you get more elemental mag from oxide, but that other forms are more bioavailable). I think I will switch to a different form. What do you think of Magnesium Taurate or Magnesium chelate? Would I be getting more bang for my buck if I tried either of those?
I am just in the process of educating myself about the use and benefits of vitamins, minerals and supplements above the RDA values. I am glad to have found this board to further educate myself and to share experiences and successes.
Thanks again, and take care.
Tamara
poster:jujube
thread:408983
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041022/msgs/410004.html