Dietary mineral balance.

[Ripped Barbarian]

I thought this would be interesting, i just posted elsewhere about too much salt effect on the body, so a thread on mineral balance is needed.

Just reading here Magnesium: The Key to Health and Life about calcium and magnesium interactions, i found this particularly interesting:


Whilst there are many other factors involved i think it is a valid observation.

I'm trying to work out what would be the ideal intakes for the bulk minerals, trace minerals (iron, selenium, copper, zinc etc) are more a 'set' required value as their physiological use is in small amounts and often toxic in large amounts whereas the bulk minerals (potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and calcium) are used liberally and not toxic in large amounts, as their absorption is affected by one another ratio is very important.

The RDIs are
Potassium 4700 mg
Chloride 2300 mg
Sodium 1500 mg
Calcium 1000 mg
Phosphorus 700 mg
Magnesium 420 mg

These have been worked out on an individual basis no doubt, as i have a calcium intake of 2000mg a day usually, i'm thinking i should adjust my magnesium dosage to 800mg, mabye even a gram?

Oh and 'magnesium taurinate' sounds like a great supplement!

Quote

Magnesium taurinate is the best form of Magnesium for the cardiovascular system, as Taurine affects enzymes in the heart muscle that contribute to contractility. Taurine also plays a role in the metabolism of calcium and may affect entry of calcium into heart muscle cells where it is essential in the generation and transmission of nerve impulses. Research shows that taurine prevents arrhythmogenesis by limiting cardiac hypertrophy and calcium overload of the myocardium. Taurine also protects the heart against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias via its properties as a membrane stabilizer and as an oxygen free radical scavenger.

Since magnesium and L-taurine share complementary cardio benefits (including the transport of calcium and potassium through the bloodstream), they make an ideal combination for the heart.

[Ripped Barbarian]

This is one of many reasons why electrolyte balance is so so important.

Quote

The insulin concentration in blood increases after meals and gradually returns to basal levels during 1-2 hours. However, the basal insulin level is not stable. It oscillates with a regular period of 3-6 min. After a meal the amplitude of these oscillations increases but the periodicity remains constant. [1] The oscillations are believed to be important for insulin sensitivity by preventing downregulation of insulin receptors in target cells. [1] Such down regulation underlies insulin resistance, which is common in type 2 diabetes. It would therefore be advantageous to administer insulin to diabetic patients in a manner mimicking the natural oscillations. [1] The insulin oscillations are generated by pulsatile release of the hormone from the pancreas. Insulin originates from beta cells located in the islets of Langerhans. Since each islet contains up to 2000 beta cells and there are one million islets in the pancreas it is apparent that pulsatile secretion requires sophisticated synchronization both within and among the islet of Langerhans.

Insulin oscillations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For correct synchronization cells need to have appropriate concentrations of calcium ions in the cell, which requires all of the electrolyte minerals to be in balance.