The Benefits of Melatonin

I've touted the benefits of using alternative and natural supplements vs prescription drugs for a while now. And I came across this article on melatonin and I found it extremely informative. It is quite long, and I had no idea all this about melatonin! Two of the things I found most interesting is that they 1. are starting to see links between using melatonin to help decrease Parkinson's (my father in 70 and has been diagnosed with) 2. some common prescription drugs - Xanax, Valium, Ativan - actually suppress melatonin levels in the body.

Worth the read:

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18342&B1=EG100213

Meditation for Fibro Pains

The yoga classes that I enjoy the most are heavy in meditation, no wonder I am addicted to them, read this article about how meditation can help ease pain:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/meditation/a/meditation_pain.htm?nl=1

Eat to Fight Inflammation

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/antiinflammatorydiet/a/Anti-Inflammatory-Diet.htm?nl=1

Alternatives to NSAIDS for Pain

(NSAIDS: asprin, ibuprofen, aleeve, mobic)


Niacin (vitamin B3) may decrease the pain associated with osteoarthritis, especially in the knee. Dr. Abram Hoffer, author of Orthomolecular Medicine For Physicians, writes: "I suspect vitamin B3 is necessary for everyone for tissue repair, and that one of the earliest symptoms of deficiency is a decrease in the rate of repair."

Boswelia is one of the oldest herbs in Indian, Ayurvedic medicine. Studies show it to be a potent pain relieving, anti-inflammatory herbal remedy.

Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme derived from pineapple blocks inflammatory chemicals called kinins. It also digests excess fibrin, a chemical implicated in osteoarthritis, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis, and scleroderma. There's considerable research (over 200 medical journal articles) on its effectiveness in treating a variety of inflammation driven illnesses.

Curcumin is a perennial plant found in eastern Asia and parts of India. It's a popular arthritis remedy in India and a powerful pain-relieving anti-inflammatory.

Devil's Claw is a perennial vine native to South Africa. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.

Organic Foods Worth Paying More For

http://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/your-organic-food-guide.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthDietandNutrition_20100821

Read the article to find out more about organic foods and organic food labeling.

The following fruits and vegetables have been identified as requiring high levels of pesticide use when conventionally grown, so, as a general rule, they are safest when grown organically:

• Apples
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Strawberries

15 Foods That Don’t Have to be Organic
Fruits and vegetables that are conventionally grown with relatively fewer pesticides include the following:

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Kiwi
• Mango
• Onion
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Sweet corn
• Sweet peas
• Sweet potatoes
• Watermelon
• Tomato

Massage for Fibromyalgia

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/fibromyalgia/a/fibromyalgia_massage.htm?nl=1

Some studies have shown that massage on a regular basis can have neurological, psychological and reflexive effects to help reduce depression, ease inflammation and pain, lessen stress and tension, promote relaxation, increase muscular relaxation, mobilize fluids and eliminate toxins and even help with sleep. Studies have also shown it to stimulate the release of endorphins and increase serotonin levels and lower blood pressure. Touch has a long history of being a natural, essential component of healing and health maintenance and can help increase positive well-being.

I make it a point to go to Massage Envy (they are located all over the U.S.) once a month for a massage. I have found several therapists there who are familiar with helping trea fibro. I am able to tolerate a light massage and I can feel the benefits of it in helping me unwind, de-stress, refresh my muscles, and I feel it helps get toxins out of my muscles. I love it.

Tai Chi for Fibro

This has gotten a lot of attention lately, and I am so glad! I wanted to share the article from the NY Times, link below.

While I have not tried Tai Chi, I feel yoga has a lot of similar components. I have tried Qigong which is also very similar, and I really enjoy this as well. (I bought a Qi Gong DVD which I follow: Qi Gong for Cleansing (2005) with Daisy Lee Garripoli and Francesco Garripoli)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/health/19taichi.html?_r=1 

Some key quotes from the article:

Dr. Chenchen Wang, a Tufts rheumatologist who led the study, said she attributed the results to the fact that “fibromyalgia is a very complex problem” and “tai chi has multiple components — physical, psychological, social and spiritual.”

After a few weeks, a patient she said she began to feel better, and after 12 weeks “the pain had diminished 90 percent.” She has continued tai chi, lost 50 pounds and can walk three to seven miles a day.


“You could not have convinced me that I would ever have done this or continued with this,” she said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a cure. I will say it’s an effective method of controlling pain.”

The physician said it offered an inexpensive and “gentler option” for patients deterred by other physical activities. “The mind-body connections set it apart from other exercises,” she said, adding that doctors are seeking “anything we can offer that will make patients say ‘I can really do this.’ ”

Video on Fibromyalgia

This is a good video, scroll down on the page to watch. I think he synopsizes fibro best by saying its "The flu from hell that never goes away." !!!

Dr. Rodger Murphree

http://www.treatingandbeating.com/videos.html

"This is part one of a nine part video recorded at a seminar Dr. Murphree did for a group of doctors in Pittsburgh PA. Although the message was delivered to doctors, anyone with, or just curious about, fibromyalgia can easily follow the presentation. The program material can benefit a number of folks besides those with fibromyalgia since it covers several general health issues including poor sleep, low thyroid, adrenal fatigue, GI disorders, fatigue, low moods, yeast overgrowth, drug side effects to watch for, chronic pain, leaky gut, allergies, and much more.

If you have fibromyalgia, know someone with fibromyalgia and/or care for someone with fibromyalgia, here’s your chance to hear Dr. Murphree explain the causes, the symptoms, who's most likely to get it and why, why traditional medicine alone is doomed to fail, his how to, step-by-step protocols for beating poor sleep, chronic pain, low moods, fatigue, low thyroid, IBS, poor digestion, reflux, and more."

Oprah, Dr. Oz and Fibromyalgia!

Its great to see fibromyalgia get this much attention and priority, and it is interesting (and refreshing) that it does not focus on prescription drugs as the main and "simple" solution!

Oprah Winfrey included a discussion on fibromyalgia in her newsletter today. It's wonderful when celebrities give a stage to this topic and Oprah does us all a great service when she helps to inform her audience on this illness.

Her newsletter also included the first article Dr. Oz wrote for O MAGAZINE. In the article, Dr. Oz opens the discussion with four different approaches to fibromyalgia treatment. This is now in their "Best of Dr. Oz" collection. Doors are opening...;-)


http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-Treatments-for-Fibromyalgia

1. Western Medicine Approach
2. Energy-Based Approach
3. Psychological Approach
4. Nutrition-Based Approach  (reference to http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/)

WARNING! Avoid These Supplements/Ingredients!!!

I caught this on the news the other night, its very important so please read and take note!

Consumer Reports has released a list of supplement ingredients its researchers say have been linked to cancer, coma, heart problems, kidney damage, liver damage, and death, and highly advise avoiding these ingredients:

• aconite
• bitter orange
• chaparral
• colloidal silver
• coltsfoot
• comfrey
• country mallow
• germanium
• greater celandine
• kava
• lobelia
• yohimbe

For details on each read more at this link:

http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/health/Copy_of_list-of-dangerous-supplements-announced1281035561806

Consumer Reports worked with Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent research group that gauges the safety and effectiveness of nutritional supplements, to devise the list.

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.   

Herbal Sleep Remedies

A friend recently shared this article with me from NewsMax Health. I wanted to post the link here, as I have tried some of these but did not realize that all these aided in sleep. Very interesting. I have tried the Valerian (caution - it smells funky! :) and Melatonin (I think I built up a tolerance?) and I take Skullcap for pain (anti-inflammatory) and sometimes I sip Chamomile tea at bedtime.

These made me tired for sure, but to get my deep restful sleep I still need my Lunesta script :(

Has anyone else tried any of these?

Please don't forget to consult your doctor though before trying anything new, as even herbs like these can interact with other herbs and prescriptions.

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headline_health/drug_free_sleep_remedies/2010/08/05/338930.html?s=al&promo_code=A6E1-1

For details check out the article above

1. Valerian
2. Melatonin
3. Chinese Skullcap
4. Theanine
5. Lavender
6. Chamomile
7. PassionFlower

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.   

FREE Fibro Teleconference: August 3rd, 2010

I received this info & story via email from Dr. Rodger Murphree, www.treatingandbeating.com.


I really like the story below, it really supports the idea of focusing on creating an overall healthy body in order to tackle fibro.


I am going to try and remember to catch the free teleconference tomorrow nite :)


You can see what others have said about his previous teleconferences, and access archives of Dr. Murphree's teleconferences here: http://www.treatingandbeating.com/teleconferencesignin.html 

---

FREE Fibromyalgia Teleconference
Tuesday, August 03, 201,  7:30 PM CDT- 8:25 PM CDT

Dial-in Number: 1-218-936-4141 
Access Code:  986495

---

Fertile Soil Yields Best Results For Reversing Fibromyalgia

Several years ago my family and I moved into a beautiful 80 year-old house with a large, but barren backyard. Wanting to make my backyard a garden paradise I enlisted the help of a good friend and Master Gardner, William Keith.


Like a good, urban yuppie gardener, I went to Home Depot and purchased the essential tools of the trade- shiny new shovels, rakes, hoes, rubber gardening shoes, and heavy leather gloves.


The following Saturday William showed up with a truck -load of dirt. "Healthy soil yields a healthy garden," he said.


For the next several days he unloaded and redistributed rich, dark dirt throughout my backyard. Day after day I'd come home ready to plant some roses, jasmine or maybe a Maple tree and I'd find William in the backyard spreading more dirt. Finally after a week of daily dirt deliveries, William declared the yard ready for planting.


And plant we did- roses, Carolina jasmine, Confederate jasmine, wisteria, Japanese maples, peach trees, plum trees, oak leaf hydrangeas, cone flowers, lilies, salvia, rosemary, sage, thyme, and all sorts of perennials.


The result of taking the time to use nutrient rich soil was easy to see- simply plant something, anything and it grew like crazy.


Like a healthy garden our body is dependant on having the essential nutrients it needs for optimal health.


Unfortunately the typical Western diet falls short of providing the essential nutrients our bodies need to be healthy.


A U.S. Food and Drug Administration study, which analyzed over 234 foods, over two years, found the average American diet to have less than 80 percent of the RDA of one or more of the following: calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese.  Other studies have demonstrated magnesium deficiency in well over 50 percent of the population.


The only way to be sure you're nutritionally sound is to supplement your diet with the essential nutrients your body needs for optimal health.


Traditional medical doctors often scoff at the notion of taking vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to improve your health.


But does anyone suffer from a drug deficiency? Well of course not.  And yet those with chronic illnesses, like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and even mood disorders often end up on a medical merry-go-round, seeing one doctor after another-taking an endless concoction of life draining, potentially dangerous drugs.


Drugs to put you to sleep, drugs to wake you up, pain pills, mood drugs (for the side effects of the sleep drugs), sedatives, and muscle relaxants- it just never ends.


Drug therapy can be useful. However, merely covering symptoms with drugs often leads to further problems.


The majority of my fibromyalgia patients have seen numerous doctors, traditional as well as alternative, before consulting me. They've tried numerous drugs, yet feel little if any better. Most have also taken an assortment of natural remedies - a One a Day vitamin, fish oil, herbals, green dinks, probiotics, and other over the counter supplements. While all of these are a step in right direction, certainly a safe and healthy choice, they don't provide they foundation one needs to overcome a chronic and difficult illness like fibromyalgia.


And while nutrition oriented physicians have good intentions, they often do no more than attempt to use natural remedies to cover up symptoms- valerian root for poor sleep, St. John's Wort for depression, probiotics for their irritable bowel symptoms, and on and on it can go.


This is a common mistake. I've found that no matter what the illness laying the foundation and fertilizing the patient's cells with a good optimal daily allowance multivitamin/mineral formula is the place to start.


I encourage my patients to start taking a good multivitamin/mineral formula.


Doctors who I lecture too are often amazed at how easy it is to do this (when done the right way) and how many of their patient's symptoms improve- usually within a relatively short period of time.


Patients need to become aware of the fact that nutrients, not drugs, are what make the hormones and biochemical reactions that regulate our body. Every essential chemical in our body, including thyroid hormone, testosterone, estrogen, neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, etc.), antibodies, adrenaline, cortisol, and white blood cells, are either made from or dependent on vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids.


By providing the essential nutrients the body needs for optimal health you help lay the foundation for getting healthy. I've learned after 14 years of specializing in clinical nutrition to make sure each of my patients no matter the condition (from allergies to yeast overgrowth) is taking a multivitamin/mineral formula. I make sure I lay the foundation before I start planting other nutrients- CoQ10, probiotics, adrenal or thyroid glandular supplements, etc.


Taking time to get the body's inner soil healthy will always yield positive long-term results. While chasing symptoms with drugs or a hodgepodge of "hit or miss" supplements typically yields a strained bank account and fleeting results.


There is a better way.


A Message from Dr. Murphree to those suffering with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


I've specialized in treating fibromyalgia for the last 17 years. I've been fortunate to help thousands of fibromyalgia sufferers. Are you next?


Dr. Rodger Murphree

Detox Tea Recipes

These are good, I found them here:
http://www.life123.com/health/weight-loss/detox-diet/detox-tea.shtml

There are a nice variety, and I think I can find most of the ingredient in my grocery store (does anyone know what Burdock root is?!)

Sipping on some detox tea is a great way to gently help flush your system of harmful toxins. If an item is supposed to help in detox, it is made to help detoxify your body for better general health. Detox teas take a gentle and slow approach to this process, as opposed to the harsh detox pills and powders available. They use herbs and spices that act as natural antioxidants and body cleansers to flush your digestive tract.

Green Ginger Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients You Will Need
1 tablespoon dried mint
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground ginger root
1 teaspoon dried Burdock Root
2 cups - Boiling Water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Add the herbs to a tea strainer. Place the strainer in boiling water, cover the cup and let the tea steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea strainer from cup and stir in lemon juice. Drink and detoxify.

Lemon and Cayenne Pepper Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients You Will Need
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon honey
Stir all ingredients together in a mug. Do not strain cayenne pepper from water. Drink and detoxify.

Green Peppermint Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients You Will Need
1 bag peppermint tea
1 bag green tea
2 cups boiling water

Place the tea bags in the boiling water, cover cup and let tea steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags, mix the tea, drink and detoxify.

Lemon, Lime and Cranberry Mint Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients You Will Need
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 cup cranberry juice
1 bag peppermint tea
Pour lemon juice, lime juice and cranberry juice together in a microwavable mug. Heat tea in microwave until hot. Remove mug from microwave and place mint tea in mug. Cover mug and let tea steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bag from tea and stir tea. Drink and detoxify.

Licorice Ginger Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients You Will Need
1 tablespoon crushed, dried licorice root
1 teaspoon ground ginger root
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Add the roots to a tea strainer. Place the strainer in boiling water, cover the cup and let the tea steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea strainer from cup and stir in lemon juice. Drink and detoxify.

Meditation Helps Ease Pain

I read this blurb in the Aug. 2, 2010 issue of Women's World Magazine:

People who meditate regularly feel less pain from chronic conditions, such as arthritis. British reasearchers suspect that meditation trains the brain to dwell on the present and not to anticipate - and therefore not feel - pain. The longer you meditate, the greater the benefit. You can leanr basic techniques for FREE at http://www.brainsync.com/

More About Supplements!

In this article you will find info on how to recognize supplements, potential risks, what to look for when purchasing supplements, and why its important to speak with your doctor and keep a supplements diary.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/supplement/a/whatdietarysup.htm?nl=1

I want to also mentioned again this website, http://www.patientslikeme.com, where you can create an account (free!) and track all treatments you are trying, how effective they are, and how your pains and fatigues etc. rate over time, and you can print out a report to share with your doctor for each visit!

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.   

What are Supplements?

I found this article talking about what exactly supplements are, on about.com, and wanted to share, since I really lean towards taking supplements for my fibro and cfs: http://arthritis.about.com/od/supplement/a/factsupplements.htm?nl=1

[I also want to mention again this website, http://www.iguard.org/, which allows you to create and account (free!) and enter everything you take - prescriptions, vitamins, supplements - and it then generates any alerts or interactions you nee to be aware of for the combintion of what you are taking. I go here and enter info BEFORE I start taking anything new, to make sure no interactions will occur. I also consult with my doctor.]

Here are some snippets, but the whole article (linked above from about.com) is very thorough.

What is a dietary supplement?

As defined by Congress in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which became law in 1994, a dietary supplement is a product (other than tobacco) that

• is intended to supplement the diet
• contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; and other substances) or their constituents
• is intended to be taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid
• is labeled on the front panel as being a dietary supplement

General Safety Advisory

The information in this article does not replace medical advice.

Before taking an herb or a botanical, consult a doctor or other health care provider-especially if you have a disease or medical condition, take any medications, are pregnant or nursing, or are planning to have an operation.

Before treating a child with an herb or a botanical, consult with a doctor or other health care provider.

Like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and biological activity. They may have side effects. They may interact with certain medications. These interactions can cause problems and can even be dangerous.

If you have any unexpected reactions to an herbal or a botanical preparation, inform your doctor or other health care provider.

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.   
 

Yoga in South Florida

We all know how I love my yoga :) Is good in general for relaxing and muscle stretching and releasing toxins from your body. But it is also very good for fibromyalgia sufferers. It really helps integrate your mind and body, creating a healthier you. Even if you only do it for 5 or 10 minutes a day it can be very beneficial.


I have found several resources in my local area, South Florida, for taking inexpensive classes, listed below. Check out local public schools and MeetUp groups in your area to see what they may offer.

Namaste

The Broward Educator:
http://www.mycommunityschool.com/

The Palm Beach Educator:
http://www.pbeducator.org/

Fort Lauderdale Yoga MeetUp Group:
http://www.meetup.com/fortlauderdaleyogaclub/

Yoga for Sleep

This is a good blurb about how Yoga can help you sleep better. I love my yoga :)

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/insomnia/a/yoga_insomnia.htm?nl=1

Supplements - When They Are Not Safe

I received this article from HeadWay, my migraine info connection. He has ssome excellent tips, the article is pretty universally applicable. Always remember to please be sure to consult your physician before trying any supplements.

http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/HeadWay-dangerous-supplements.html


He touches on:
- Supplement Regulations
- Natural does not mean safe
- The Number of Ways a Supplement Can Be Dangerous
- Drug enhancement

TIPS - see article for details

Talk to your doctor first.  

Recognize that not all supplements are created equal. 

Look for supplements recommended by sources that you trust.  

Do your own research. 

Don't adopt a "might as well" attitude. 

DO try supplements. 

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.  

Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium is a powerful mineral. Not only does it help relax muscles (calcium contracts muscles) and help with cellular regeneration, but it relieves a lot of chronic symptoms (see lists below.) Magnesium regulates the absorption of calcium, potassium and sodium. It plays a key role in energy production, digestion, muscle and bone function, cell production, and in the functioning of the heart, kidneys, adrenals, brain and nervous system. It is a critical nutrient for optimal health, and yet as many as 90 % of us may be magnesium-deficient!

Magnesium deficiency causes imbalance in the body. It is responsible for fatigue and the inability to sleep, lack of energy, muscle tension, cramps and twitches, headaches, backaches and heart problems. It can cause depression, excessive worry, stress-related irritability and over-sensitivity, accelerated aging, bone spurs, kidney stones, arthritis and osteoporosis. Because it is essential for the absorption of other major minerals, a magnesium deficiency will usually indicate an imbalance in potassium and also calcium. A deficiency in magnesium in your body means there are over 300 biochemical reactions that either won't occur at all or will occur very inefficiently. Somewhat like a six cylinder car trying to run on four spark plugs.

See this article for the important balance in calcium and magnesium. (http://www.absolutelythepurest.com/other%20parts/mysteryandmagicmagnes.html) It is possible that in taking too much calcium you are in turn depleting your magnesium. You CAN take too much calcium, but you cannot take too much magnesium.

The following factors deplete magnesium from your body. The more prevalent these factors are in your life, the more magnesium your body will need to replenish its magnesium storage:

• Mental, physical, emotional stress
• Environmental pollutants
• Excess calcium supplementation
• Sugar, coffee, sodas and milk
• Alcohol, tobacco and all types of drugs, including diuretics
• High-carbohydrate diets
• Low thyroid and chronic pain

“Top Ten List” of Symptoms Relieved by Magnesium: From Carolyn Dean

- Less knee pain
- Carbohydrate/sugar cravings down from 90 to 5 — on a scale of 100 (most) to 0 (none)
- Wrinkles and crevices in her face diminishing
- Dramatic reduction in “migraines”
- Period went from dark to bright red and from severe clots to minimal clots
- Able to exercise intensely for the first time in years without being exhausted for at least three days after
- Sleep has improved from “minimal” to “poor and restless” all night (this is a huge improvement for her).
- Able to “keep going” (to some extent) past 6:30pm at night.
- Less sound sensitivity/hypersensitivity.
- Better able to concentrate when someone is speaking to her (if there is any background noise).

http://www.healthlady.com/articles/%E2%80%9Ctop-ten-lists%E2%80%9D-of-symptoms-relieved-by-magnesium-2/#more-6765

More Benefits of Magnesium Supplementation Therapy

- Improve Sleep
- Relieve Muscle Discomfort
- Overcome Stress
- Relax Nerves
- Improve Bad Mood
- Improve Heart Function
- Increase Kidney Health
- Support Healthy Blood Pressure
- mprove Bone Health
- Alleviate Various Aches
- Keep Bones in Alignment

http://www.life-enthusiast.com/index/Products/Magnesium?ref=10595

I have found that taking 1200-1600 mg magnesium/day works well for me (400-800 in the a.m. and 800 in the p.m.) I have noticed that I feel better. I have found the Ultra-Mag by Source Naturals to be a very good brand. I get them at a good price from VitaCost (http://www.vitacost.com/Source-Naturals-Ultra-Mag-Magnesium-Complex#IngredientFacts)

I hope this helps.

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.