PMS Syndrome
In Health and Healing,
Dr. Julian Whitaker refers to recent tests in which Potassium
Magnesium Aspartate increased energy levels by 50% and speeded
up burning of fat.
Dr. Lawrence Resnick,
endocrinologist and cardiologist at Cornell University Medical
Center in New York has discovered that every individual with
high blood pressure has lower than normal levels of magnesium
inside their cells. The intracellular magnesium, called free
magnesium, differs from magnesium in the blood stream, which
is known as circulating magnesium. Furthermore, this low level
of magnesium inside the cells occurs not only in hypertensives,
but in people who are obese and in diabetics. Resnick's discovery may help explain why these three conditions are so
often found in the same individual.
Dr. Elson Haas, M.D.,
author of Staying Healthy With Nutrition, states
supplementing magnesium has been shown to be very helpful in
alleviating many symptoms related to the menstrual period. PMS
symptoms, menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression,
and water retention have been lessened with magnesium, usually
given along with calcium and often with Vitamin B-6.
Dr. Haas also
stressed the importance of potassium. Potassium is a very
significant body mineral, important to both cellular and
electrical functions. It is one of the main blood minerals. Potassium is very important in cellular biochemical reactions
and energy metabolism; it participates in the synthesis of
protein from amino acids in the cell. Potassium also functions
in carbohydrate metabolism; it is active in glycogen and
glucose metabolism, converting glucose to glycogen that can be
stored in the liver for future energy. Potassium is important
for normal growth and for building muscle.
Dr. Kruse
performed clinical research on 200 individuals and showed an
improvement in over 85% of the individuals. He also analyzed
the results in various grouping of the individuals.
Seven of his
participants, for example, were women who had just delivered
babies and were given potassium-magnesium aspartate when they
left the hospital. Each of these seven women, stated “…that
they felt very good and that by comparison, with previous
postpartum periods, they had much greater feeling of well
being and were much better able to complete the usual chores
attendant on a new infant in the family.”
At a subsequent visit,
after the trial had ended, these seven women reported “…that
they felt they had been helped greatly rather unexpectedly,
but that they were beginning to feel rather tired at this
point. These seven women stated that they felt more fatigued
and tired than they had during the three weeks postpartum when
they were taking the active substances.”
Another subgroup
detailed by Kruse was a group of 27 individuals who had just
experienced a severe viral infection (influenza). Such
individuals often experience an inability to regain strength,
undue desire to sleep, and a severe washed-out feeling. Of the
27 patients in this group given the potassium-magnesium aspartate, 23 reported for follow-up. According to Kruse, “The
response was generally consistent throughout the entire group. Their muscular weakness, their fatigue, the washed-out
feeling, and the desire to sleep, seemed to subside very
quickly.”
There was also a group
of 25 women who were in the early stages of menopause. Kruse
reported, “Of these 25, I found only one woman who stated she
was doubtful as to whether or not the aspartates were helping
her. When given placebos as part of the investigation, “it was
clear to them that there was a letdown and they would always
ask what was the matter with the last batch of pills.”
Kruse also singled out
an older age group of 11 individuals aged 55-65. Two of these
individuals had fractures. They were reported to be
“interestingly responsive when given the aspartates after
removal of the cast and the beginning of rehabilitation.” Of
the other nine individuals in this group, Kruse sated, “The
element of fatigue, when pronounced in these people, did
definitely respond to the aspartates.
The following comments
are taken from the summary section of the research paper:
“During a ten month period, 200 individuals were given the
magnesium and potassium salts of aspartic acid. Some of these
patients suffered only fatigue but in most, fatigue various
pathologic or functional entities.”
“Results indicate that
this material in its potassium and magnesium salt forms, is
physiologically effective. It is notable that regardless of
the source or type of fatigue the aspartates, in general, are
helpful. The aspartates do help the individual who is
preoccupied with the fatigue itself, or who notices it to such
an extent that it interferes with normal tasks in ordinary
living.”
”In many cases the
aspartates were given in conjunction with other medications,
with results better than anticipated from the other materials
alone. Placebo substitution, employed in approximately half of
the series, usually resulted in reversion to the condition
existing prior to use of the aspartates.
“The potassium and
magnesium salts of aspartic acid, although not a panacea,
afford the first truly effective physiologic treatment for
chronic fatigue, whether or not it is associated with organic
disease. Proper selection of the patient is essential. The
compound should not be used indiscriminately. The patient in
need of psychiatric care only is not likely to respond. The
compound is not a substitute for other therapy required by the
body (as in hypothyroidism or other medical conditions).”
Daniel Shaw, MD
performed one of the few studies that
measured changes in the muscles and nerves in response to
potassium-magnesium aspartate. He showed differences in the
electrical responses of nerves and muscles of fatigued
individuals as compared to trained athletes. He compared the
electrical responses of fatigued individuals before and after
administration of potassium-magnesium aspartate.
Improvement was noted in 86% of the group and their subjective
improvement was strongly correlated with changes in the
electrical responsiveness in their muscles and nerves. From
the summary of their research paper: “The potassium and
magnesium salts of aspartic acid have been investigated for
treatment of fatigue in more than 2000 patients in the united
States. This investigation demonstrated subjective and
objective evidence of relief of fatigue, whether or not
organic disease was associated. Positive and negative
subjective results correlated well with objective data
obtained with the electronic rheotome.”
P.E. Formica, MD
published a research paper on the use of
potassium-magnesium aspartate in 100 patients (84 women and 16
men) between the ages of 18-74 years. Results showed that “A
positive response was obtained in 87% of the treatment periods
with the active compound. The therapeutic response developed
gradually. The patients reported that in four to ten days (54
per cent by the 7th day) they became aware of a definite
increase in energy and strength.”
Bibliographic References
can be found here:
references.html
