Shopping
Cart
Magnesium Makes a Difference
“Magnesium has properties that may help people with asthma,” says John Britton, M.D., a senior lecturer in the respiratory medical unit at City Hospital in Nottingham, England.
This essential mineral helps reduce inflammation by stabilizing immune cells–mast cells and T lymphocytes–so that they are less likely to break down and dump their irritating contents in the lungs, Dr. Britton explains. It also helps the body eliminate certain lung-irritating chemicals. And magnesium helps produce anti-inflammatory biochemicals, called prostacyclins, in the body.
“All of these functions could help relieve congestion, constriction and hypersensitivity in people with asthma and other lung problems,” Dr. Britton says.
A study by Dr. Britton and his colleagues found that people who got about 480 milligrams of magnesium a day from foods could expel more air from their lungs than people getting only about 200 milligrams of magnesium a day. (The volume of air that can be expelled is considered an important indicator of healthy lungs.) People getting the larger amount of magnesium were also twice as likely to be able to tolerate the maximum dose of an airway-constricting spray, Dr. Britton says.
“Further studies are needed to confirm that magnesium can help control asthma,” Dr. Britton says. But he and other researchers agree that it’s a good idea to get the Daily Value of magnesium, which is 400 milligrams. Studies show that most people fall short.
“I recommend a diet of whole, unprocessed foods such as nuts, beans and whole grains,” Dr. Britton says. He also suggests “a pint a day of stout, another good source of magnesium.” Actually, he adds, any beer will do.
If you are considering trying magnesium supplements, be sure to check with your doctor first if you have heart or kidney problems.
Interestingly, magnesium is sometimes given intravenously to treat serious asthma attacks. Large doses of magnesium relax the muscles around blood vessels and airways. Intravenous magnesium is helpful for a person having a life-threatening asthma attack called status asthmaticus, which does not respond to the usual drugs. Apparently, the trick is to get the magnesium into the body fast, say doctors from Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.