The mineral magnesium has been hailed as a “nerve food” by leading physicians. A team of doctors reported to the Journal of the American Medical Association on its emotion-healing power. Here are some of its reported benefits.
Magnesium therapy soothed such emotion-based problems as irritability, anxiety, muscle weakness, unsteady gait, staggering, vertigo-twitching, numbness, and cramps in hands and feet. It was also suggested for anyone feeling depression, or hysteria, or some other related emotional upsets coming on, as a soothing and all-natural relaxer.
Food sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, liver, meat, eggs, whole grain products. Blackstrap molasses and whole wheat products like wheat germ are other good sources.
According to Mildred S. Seelig, M.D., in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, patients with emotional disorders who need magnesium should have this minimum intake: 385 milligrams daily for a 140-lb. woman; 500 milligrams daily for a 185-lb. man. Says Dr. Seelig: “The diet should be supplemented with magnesium at least until equilibrium is noted and then possibly reduced to meet the body need.” Correct dosage, of course, is up to the physician.
That magnesium therapy can work is pointed up in the case of a 68-year-old man, who, following an abdominal operation, suddenly became irrational, noisy, wildly restless, confused and combative. His case, reported in the American Journal of Internal Medicine (1955), describes how he experienced hallucinations, was depressed and also-showed symptoms of hysteria. His brain and heart pattern were abnormal.
Vitamins, dextrose, potassium and calcium were prescribed without much help. Then the doctors gave him magnesium and calcium. In 18 hours, after he received the magnesium prescription, the man was rational, oriented and reported to be completely free of neuro-muscular disorder. In three days, he was up and around.