Are You Difficiant in Magnesium

Well as many of you know, Ricki has had a problem with her magnesium since before she got rid of me... but now post her transplant, she has needed Magnesium infusions at least 2 times a week! However we were shocked to find out just how common low magnesium is, and the things that it causes... Just remember, it is always best to check with your doctor and get your mag level tested... but if you're not sure at least try to incorporate the following items into your diet.
Beans (especially Black and White)
Nuts (especially Almonds)
Buckwheat
Spinach
Artichoke
Tomato Paste
Pumpkin Seeds
Halibut
Now without further ado... some of the problems low magnesium causes.

Many of us suffer for months and years from chronic conditions, that no one seems to detect the source of (not even the so-called experts). Only a few lucky ones realize that the true source of these conditions is due primarily to a magnesium deficiency. Many conditions are caused primarily by a deficiency and for many other conditions it is a major contributing factor.
Magnesium is a very important mineral for the body and is responsible for numerous functions. Some of which are the creation of new cells, the proper functioning of your heart and kidneys. It is sometimes known as the heart mineral,or the mineral of the heart.Other functions are the production of energy, proper digestion, the relaxation of muscles and the function of muscle. It also activates B vitamins, the adrenals ,the brain and the nervous system.
To understand the importance of this mineral, consider that 90-95% of the population is deficient, and many thought that regular magnesium supplements will fix this deficiency. But if it is not water soluble or available in ionic form it will literally pass through the digestive track with very little benefit to the body. For minerals to be absorbed into the body they must be available in ionic form.
Deficiency of magnesium, to any extent, will interfere with any of the functions that this mineral is responsible for. The solution is to take it in a form where it is completely dissolved in water. In this ionic form the it assimilates into the body fast, producing almost instant relief.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency
* FATIGUE & LOW ENERGY
This mineral has a key role in the energy process within each cell, and our overall energy level. Energy production is inhibited, with inadequate amounts of magnesium, with the eventual outcome being fatigue and weakness. It is essential to regulating potassium levels and functioning of the adrenal glands which are both important to maintaining high energy levels.
* NERVOUSNESS & INSOMNIA
Deficiency in this mineral can cause insomnia, and wake us up with muscle spasms, cramps, tension and feeling uncomfortable. The proper functioning of the nervous system requires magnesium and without sufficient quantity the nerve cells cannot give or receive messages and tend to become excitable and highly reactive. Noises will seem excessively loud and the person will jump at sudden sound and be generally nervous and on edge. Light can appear to be too bright and the person can become highly sensitive and nervous.
* PMS & OSTEOPOROSIS
Instant relief can be obtained by taking a magnesium drink because PMS is mostly a magnesium deficiency and excess calcium. When it comes to OSTEOPOROSIS, this mineral is crucial in regulating bone density, as it is magnesium which allows calcium to assimilate. Calcium alone is potentially harmful.
* THE HEART CONNECTION
Without sufficient of this important mineral you would actually die as your heart will stop beating and the doctors will call it "a heart attack". Thus it is critical to have the proper levels of it in the body. Early signs of terminal extinction are unusual changes in heart rates (beats), angina pain, collapsing from exhaustion after heavy physical exercise or sports related activities. With low magnesium the heart muscle develops a spasm or cramp and stops beating because there is insufficient of it to relax the heart ready for the next contraction.
HEADACHES, DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Asthma, headaches, migraines, seizures, depression, fibromyalgia, anxiety, ADD, arthritis and kidney stones get worse when a sufficient amount of this mineral is not consumed.
Excess calcium DEPLETES magnesium from the body and as a result brings about symptoms of a deficiency. It is not important how much you take but how much is left in the body. Remember calcium and magnesium need to be in correct proportions, otherwise calcium goes from being a nutrient into a pollutant. When this mineral is deficient in the body excess calcium can cause heart disease, arthritis, senility, calcification of organs and tissues that eventually degenerate. Thus excess calcium can become a real problem, while excess magnesium is not any concern. This mineral does not build up in the body but the excess is eliminated while excess calcium builds up. This situation can be the cause of senility, arthritis, heart disease, calcification of organs and tissues, causing them to degenerate.
Besides calcium, there are other factors that deplete this mineral in the body. Learn what depletes it, and avoid them as much as possible. These factors dramatically deplete your body's storage and make it necessary for greater consumption of the mineral:
- coffee
- sugar
- mental stress
- alcohol
- cola type soda
- high sodium diet
- tobacco
- medical drugs of all types
- high perspiration
- low thyroid
- diabetes
- diuretics
- chronic pain
- a high carbohydrate diet
- a high calcium diet (yet too much calcium can be a problem)
Deficiency symptoms include Muscle Cramps, Anxiety, Spasms, Fatigue, Headaches, Irritability, Sleep-Disorders, Low Energy and Body-Tension.

http://www.nucellcanada.ca/store/ionicmagnesium.html - http://www.nucellcanada.ca/store/healthyheart.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Betty_Hart

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15 Tips for Managing Interferon-Ribavirin Side Effects

Many people abandon this challenging HCV treatment mid-course. Here are 15 ways to help manage the side effects of Hepatitis C combination therapy, to help patients' likelihood of completing the extremely challenging treatment. Share this article among patients contemplating and/or already undergoing chemotherapy for Hepatitis C, so they can help increase their likelihood of conquering the virus.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Although it affects an estimated four to five million Americans, there is still no easy formula to eliminate the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). At best, infected individuals have a 50 percent chance of triumphing over the virus by enduring standard combination therapy, a notoriously challenging treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin medications. Most experts believe that the success rate of these drugs would be much higher without the burden of their potentially serious side effects. In cooperation with a physician, those with HCV who can manage standard combination therapy’s side effects are more likely to complete the drug regimen at full strength – and thus have a better chance of ridding the virus from their body.

Especially apparent in the first several weeks of treatment, the side effects of these drugs range from mild to severe. Managing these effects can be simple, involving lifestyle modifications, logical home remedies and taking some routine medications. Beyond these basics, working with a knowledgeable physician is important for customizing a plan to help someone manage their side effects.

The side effects from interferon and ribavirin therapy often lead to lowered dosages or even discontinuation of these drugs. Physicians agree that the more a dosage is reduced, the less of a chance the therapy has at successfully killing HCV. However, dose reduction or discontinuation of interferon or ribavirin may be indicated immediately if severe side effects develop.

Fifteen suggestions to discuss with your physician for managing the most common side effects of combination therapy are outlined below:

1. Getting a full night’s sleep helps the body recover from physical and emotional stressors. Being fully rested lessens the side effects of fatigue, headache, fever, myalgia (muscle pain), irritability and insomnia.

2. Keeping hydrated is helpful to counteract the drying properties of combination therapy. Keeping hydrated is advised to improve fatigue, headache, fever, myalgia and dry mouth.

3. Eating well-balanced meals helps the body bounce back from fatigue, headache, fever and myalgia.

4. Engaging in regular exercise keeps your circulation going and thus helps prevent fatigue, headache, fever and myalgia.

5. Taking a hot bath or using hot packs is recognized for helping relieve myalgia.

6. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDS can reduce fatigue, headaches, fever, myalgias or liver pain. However, dosage and safety considerations must be confirmed by your doctor since these drugs may place an additional burden on the liver.

7. Include ginger in your day by drinking it in tea, ale or snacking on ginger baked goods to relieve nausea.

8. Taking ribavirin with food and eating small, frequent meals helps ease ribavirin-related nausea.

9. Prochlorperazine (compazine) may stop nausea but should only be done under a physician’s guidance.

10. Avoiding stimulants like caffeine at night can reduce insomnia and irritability.

11. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as taking a deep breath and counting to ten, can significantly help reduce irritability.

12. Taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been proven effective in treating the depression associated with interferon therapy for certain individuals. The additional side effects of SSRIs and treatment guidelines must be carefully evaluated by your physician.

13. Sharing feelings with friends, family or a support group can help many people cope with the irritability and depression often accompanying HCV therapy.

14. Being gentle with your hair can help minimize hair loss. This includes not pulling on or braiding the hair, avoiding vigorous combing or brushing and only using natural (not harsh) hair products.

15. Avoiding hot or spicy foods minimizes mouth irritation. For those dealing with the side effects of a dry mouth or mouth sores, avoiding these types of foods is a must.

Some of these tips for managing side effects are easily accomplished at home while others require collaboration with your physician. However it is accomplished, reducing side effect severity helps people endure a full course of combination therapy, a feat that increases their odds of eliminating the Hepatitis C virus.

YOU CAN DO IT!! It is tough work, but we have to try!

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Steps to reverse fatty liver disease

Did you know that one third of all Americans suffer from a little known condition named "steatosis" or fatty liver?
This common disease causes nausea, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, bad breath, rashes, among other small maladies that are so frequent nowadays.


Four key steps to reverse fatty liver disease:
1. Limit yourself to no more than one fast-food meal a week. For some people, that’s going to be a major downshift. But for the sake of your health, a visit to a fast-food restaurant should be considered a treat – not a regular event.

2. When you do eat fast food, eat as healthfully as possible. Try the burger without mayo and cheese, and avoid fries and sugary soft drinks. Better yet, go for a grilled chicken sandwich, a salad with a lower-fat dressing and bottled water or a diet soft drink.

3. Get active. If you don’t already exercise at least three times a week, start now. Regular exercise helps keep your weight down and helps your body better metabolize and process the food you eat.

4. Ask your doctor to do a blood test to check your level of liver enzymes, a key measure of the health of your liver. Many doctors now order test this routinely when doing blood work on adults, but kids who eat a lot of fast food especially need to have their liver enzymes checked.

A recent study from Europe showed that eating too much fast food – a diet high in fat and sugar – can cause serious liver damage called fatty liver disease.
Yet for those who overdo it with too many trips to their favorite burger joint, there’s good news. You can likely reverse the damage done to your liver and other vital organs by a “super-size me” diet if you simply give up the unhealthy lifestyle, according to a leading liver specialist at Saint Louis University who conducted a similar study with mice.
“There’s strong evidence now that a fast-food type of diet – high in fat and sugar, the kind of diet many Americans subsist on – can cause significant damage to your liver and have extremely serious consequences for your health,” says Brent Tetri, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the Saint Louis University Liver Center and one of the country’s leading experts on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
“The good news is that most people can undo this damage if they change their diet and they keep physically active,” Tetri says. “If they don’t, however, they are asking for trouble.”
Particularly alarming, says Tetri, is that physicians are starting to see children and teenagers with cirrhosis, a serious liver disease once seen mostly in adults with a history of alcohol abuse or hepatitis C. Tetri suspects this is because many kids today eat far too much fast food or junk food and get far too little exercise – the kind of behaviors that can lead to liver damage.
“The fact we’re starting to see kids with liver disease should really be a wake-up call for anyone eating a diet high in fat and sugar and who’s not physically active,” Tetri says.
Tetri last year studied the effects on mice of a diet that mimicked a typical fast-food meal. The diet was 40 percent fat and replete with high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener common in soda and some fruit juices. The mice were also kept sedentary, mimicking the lifestyle of millions of Americans.
The result: Within four weeks, the mice displayed an increase in liver enzymes – a key indicator of liver damage – and the beginnings of glucose intolerance, a marker for type II diabetes.
Similarly, in February researchers in Sweden published the results of a study in which 18 healthy and slim adults ate fast food and restricted their physical activity for a month. The result: an average weight gain of 12 pounds and, within as little as a week, a sharp rise in liver enzymes.
Tetri is quick to emphasize that fast food per se doesn’t causes liver damage. Rather, he says, the harm comes from eating too many calories and too much fat and sugar – which happens with a steady diet of burgers, fries, sodas and most other items on the typical fast-food menu.
“The big issue here is caloric content,” says Tetri. “You can put away 2,000 calories in a single fast-food meal pretty easily. For most people, that’s more calories than they need in an entire day.”
For adults and children who’ve repeatedly indulged in fast food, Tetri advises the following four steps to help reverse the damage they’ve done to their liver. The steps will also probably lead to healthy weight loss back to a more normal weight.

“Even for those people with the worst kind of diets, it’s not too late to start exercising and eating right,” Tetri says (Newswise).

Food Link to Fatty Liver

According to the Boston Children's Hospital study, fatty liver disease may be treatable through dietary changes. While these results are still unconfirmed in humans the following results link diet and fatty liver:

High-glycemic Foods

High-glycemic foods raise blood sugar fast, and are linked to contributing to fatty liver. High-glycemic foods include:

• White bread
• White rice
• Most prepared breakfast cereals
• Concentrated sugar 

Low-glycemic Foods

Low-glycemic foods which low blood sugar slowly include:

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Beans and unprocessed grains are examples

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Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin Has High Sustained Response Rates in Children with Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Research and News:

SUMMARY: Children with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who were treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin showed a high rate of sustained virological response, greater than that seen in most adult studies, according to a report in the June 2010 Journal of Hepatology. Nearly 60% of children with hard-to-treat HCV genotypes including 1 and 4 -- and more than 90% of those with easier-to-treat genotypes 2 or 3 -- achieved a cure.

By Liz Highleyman

Studies of combination interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C usually focus on adults, who typically demonstrate sustained virological response (SVR) rates of just under 50% for HCV genotype 1 and 70%-80% for genotypes 2 or 3 using a standard regimen of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for 48 or 24 weeks, respectively. Treatment of children with hepatitis C has not been as extensively studied.

In the present study, Etienne Sokal from Catholic University Louvain in Belgium and an international team of colleagues evaluated the safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) plus ribavirin in previously untreated HCV antibody positive children with detectable HCV RNA viral load.

This prospective analysis included 18 children with HCV genotypes 2 or 3, who were treated for 24 weeks, and 47 children with harder-to-treat genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6, who were treated for 48 weeks.

Results

• 83% of the genotype 2/3 children and 57% of the genotype 1/4/5/6 children achieved early virological response at week 12.
• End-of-treatment response rates were 94% (at week 24) and 57% (at week 48), respectively.
• Relapse rates were low, with 89% of easier-to-treat participants and 57% of hard-to-treat children achieving sustained response at 24 weeks after completion of therapy.
• 10 participants overall (15%) stopped treatment prematurely -- 2 due to serious adverse events and 8 due to lack of virological response at week 24.
• 15 children overall (23%) had their pegylated interferon or ribavirin doses adjusted -- 11 (17%) due to neutropenia and 3 (5%) due to anemia.
• The most common treatment-related adverse events included:

--Fever and flu-like symptoms (54%);
--Abdominal pain (38%);
--Irritability, depression, or mood changes (34%);
--Dermatitis (29%);
--Vomiting (23%);
--Loss of appetite (22%).

• Interferon-based treatment had no observed effect on the children's growth in height.

These results, the researchers concluded, show that children have an improved rate of sustained virological response compared with reference studies of adult chronic C patients treated with similar regimens.

Investigator affiliations: Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium; Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hospital de clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Unidade de Hepatologica Pediatrica, Hospital das clinicas da faculdade de medicina da universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics, Stradinš University, Riga, Latvia; Department of Paediatrics, CLINTEC, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Liver Unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

8/31/10