Some Canadian doctors are calling for human studies of an overlooked yet simple potential treatment for conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, heart disease and high blood pressure.

The treatment consists of supplements of the essential mineral magnesium, a common but overlooked nutrient that may combat some forms of chronic pain, muscle cramps, and even to ward off heart disease and diabetes.

Magnesium is readily available in hard water, dark green vegetables, nuts, and beans. But we use it up in great quantities when we're under stress, and when we eat a poor diet.

The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 600 milligrams a day, but there is evidence that between 50 and 90 per cent of people in North America don't get enough of it. And that could be leading to deficiencies.

"Part of the reason we're seeing problems with magnesium is the result of a high-starch diet. That uses up more magnesium," says Aileen Burford-Mason, a nutritionist who has taken a keen interest in magnesium. "And when we're under stress our needs for magnesium skyrocket. When you put those together I don't think it's surprising we are magnesium deficient."

Pain and magnesium deficiency

Dr. Linda Rapson, who specializes in treating chronic pain, believes that about 70 per cent of her patients who complain of muscle pain, cramps and fatigue are showing signs of magnesium deficiency. So she has been adding it to the diets of most of her patients over the last two years, and noting significant results.

"Virtually all of them improve when I put them on magnesium," says Rapson, who runs a busy Toronto pain clinic. "It may sound too good to be true, but it's a fact." She's seen the mineral work in those with fibromyalgia, migraines and constipation. "The scientific community should take a good hard look at this."

Lynne Suo is one of her patients. She had been using painkillers and steroids for years to try to ease the pain of her arthritis and fibromyalgia. Dr. Rapson started her on 675 units of magnesium a day. Within days, Suo called Dr. Rapson to report a surprising change.

"I went from being in constant pain almost throughout the day and night to having moments of pain. And for me that was a huge improvement," says Suo, a former college English teacher. She dismisses suggestions that the change is a placebo effect.

"I was not one day without pain and now I don't have to take heavy pain medication," she reports.

Magnesium linked to heart health

Magnesium deficiency is also linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Many believe that magnesium improves these condition because it helps muscle cells relax. Since the heart is also a muscle, magnesium reduces irregular heart beats and palpitations.

But there have been few clinical studies of it's role in preventing heart disease. In a review article in the Journal of Hypertension, Dr. Rhian Toyuz, an associate professor at the University of Montreal, writes: "Data from recent studies shows that magnesium-rich diets may reduce blood pressure, especially among older adults. The time is ripe for the progression of this experimental research to extend into the clinics, where the exact role of magnesium in cardiovascular disease can be studied in patients."

"It's not taught in medical schools," says Dr. Mildred Seelig, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina. She has been studying magnesium for years and is writing a book, due out next year, urging doctors and patients not to overlook this essential mineral. "It's not being promoted because pharmaceutical companies don't make money selling magnesium," says Dr. Seelig. "So there is no big push to get magnesium understood and taken by the average (North) American."

Dr. Saul Pilar, a general practitioner in Vancouver, says he too has seen magnesium lessen pain and spasms, reduce fatigue and improve sleep. "My aim is that 100 per cent of my patients get enough magnesium either from food or supplements," he says.

But Pilar points out that he has to rely on clinical symptoms of magnesium deficiency, because there is no reliable test. Blood tests only pick up the one per cent of magnesium in the blood, because most of it is stored in the tissues, where it is used.

Magnesium also has to be prescribed with calcium because they work together to regulate how muscle cells contract and relax. People taking calcium supplements without magnesium may leading to even larger magnesium deficiencies.

"I am optimistic that in the future more attention will be paid to this essential mineral," says Dr. Pilar.

Dietary sources of magnesium Source: Aileen Burford-Mason, nutritionist:

• 1 cup pumpkin seeds 700 mg
• 1 cup mixed nuts 300 mg
• 1 cup natural granola 100 mg
• 1 cup cooked oatmeal 56 mg
• 1 cup spinach 44 mg
• 1 cup broccoli 22 mg
• 1 slice whole wheat bread 18 mg
• 3 oz halibut 70 mg
• 1 can tuna 50 mg
• 3 oz shrimp 31 mg