The Magnesium Factor (Paperback)

~ Mildred Seelig (Author) "We know the scene-its inherent drama puts it into screenplay after screenplay: The patient is surrounded by hustling figures in masks and gowns..." (more)
Key Phrases: magnesium factor, cellular magnesium levels, oral magnesium therapy, United States, American Heart Association, The Mineral That Combats Heart Disease (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

How one simple nutrient can prevent, treat, and help to reverse high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

This important book brings to light an often overlooked but central factor in some of the most prevalent and serious disorders that affect Americans today: magnesium deficiency. Written by a medical doctor and researcher who is considered to be the world's leading expert on the actions and uses of this vital mineral, The Magnesium Factor explains how magnesium deficiencies develop, why they are so widespread, and how they translate into metabolic disruptions that ultimately threaten the health of virtually every bodily system. The author then details how to determine whether you have, or are at risk for, this problem-and what you can do about it.

Backed by the latest scientific research, yet written in a clear, accessible style, here is the authoritative source for information on a topic of critical interest for all health-conscious individuals.

About the Author

Mildred S. Seelig, M.D., MPH, is a world-renowned researcher who has studied the role of magnesium in health and disease for more than forty years. The author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and an international lecturer, she is also a master of the American College of Nutrition and a founding editor of the college's professional journal.

Andrea Rosanoff, M.S., Ph.D., is an independent scholar who earned her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nutrition at the University of California at Berkeley. She lives in Hawaii.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avery Trade (August 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583331565
• ISBN-13: 978-1583331569
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #158,280 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #45 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Vitamins
  #50 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Nutrition > Vitamins & Supplements
  #70 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Heart Disease

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magnesium Factor - Most important health book ever!!!!!, September 29, 2004

By	George Eby "http://coldcure.com (cure for com... (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Drs. Seelig and Rosanoff have pinpointed THE LETHAL FLAW in American nutrition and medicine, that being chronic, culturally-induced magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency/calcium excess causes 90% of all lethal heart attacks, and causes more illness than anyone can imagine. The reader MUST see pages 5 and 17 of their book. Page 5 shows that heart attack deaths in 1900 were essentially zero, but by 2,000 the incidence had climbed to about 700,000 per year due to a decline over the same time in magnesium dietary intake. Lethal heart attacks are caused by low magnesium. Page 17 shows that nations with low magnesium/high calcium diets (U.S. Finland, Netherlands) have a lethal heart attack rate 20 times higher than nations with high magnesium/low calcium diets (Japan). Drs. Seelig & Rosenoff show by review of many peer-reviewed medical journal articles that nearly all of the serious/lethal heart conditions such as arrhythmias, tachycardia, EKG & ECG abnormalities, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, angina, heart attacks (including sudden death heart attacks), high bad cholesterol, blood clots, mitral valve prolapes, type II diabetes, inability to handle "stress" are really nothing more than SYMPTOMS of severe magnesium deficiency. Many other "diseases" such as constipation, kidney stones, menstrual cramps, pre-eclampsia, ecalampsia, PMS, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, carbohydrate intolerance, ravenous appetite, obesity, low serum calcium and potassium (not correctable with supplements), elevated serum phosphorus, vitamin D resistance, muscle cramps, musle soreness, backaches, neck pain, headaches, TMJ, muscle tension and twitches, convulsions, migrane headaches, hearing loss, ringing in ears, hyperactivity, stress disorders, ADHD in children, insomnia, numbness, tingling, agoraphobia, anxiety, depression, suicidal depression, irritability, panic attacks, all - each and every one - are SYMPTOMS of low magnesium. The diseases that are treatable, curable and preventable with magnesium supplementation represent the bulk of "diseases" currently treated with expensive pharmaceutical drugs and hospital treatments. If all Americans supplemented their diets with sufficient magnesium (estimates vary from 150 to 500 mg magnesium supplemental) per day, they believe would result a great reduction in the need for physican and hospital services nation-wide. The main source of magnesium in the American diet 100 years ago when there was much magnesium in our food was wheat, dark green leafy vegetables and nuts. Due to refining wheat, there is little magnesium remaining and people tend to avoid nuts due to their oil content. Most people do not eat enough vegetables. Conseqently, we have a serious culturally-induced magnesium deficiency that adversely affects all of our lives on a daily baises, and costs this country about 10% of its gross domestic product in un-necessary health costs.

117 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must read' for panic attack and migraine sufferers, September 6, 2004

By	J. Richardson (Maryland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would give it 10 stars if I could! It is truly unfortunate that such a simple solution to so many health problems is discounted by medical professionals, and therefore virtually unknown to the general public.

For nearly twenty years I suffered with migraines. I tried many prescription medications, but none of them worked and they all produced unacceptable side effects. Around 1998 (at 34 years old), my blood pressure was becoming elevated, my average resting heart rate was 95-100 bpm. My migraines were more frequent and severe, and I had started having frequent chest pains, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and overwhelming fatigue. I would go to the doctor's only to be told that they could not find anything wrong.

Then, in May 2000, my blood pressure was extremely low and my heart was beating so fast until it began to spasm rather than beat. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and I spent nearly a week in the hospital undergoing testing. When I left the hospital, I was hunched over with barely enough strength to walk, and had no real answers as to what had happened to me. A week or two later I was back in the hospital with the same symptoms. After that, it seemed as if everything was triggering panic attacks--sugary and starchy foods, certain types of exercise, viral infections, migraines, excessive heat, and, of course, everyday stressors. Finally, I decided that "anxiety" was no longer an acceptable answer for what I was experiencing. I saw a psychologist who told me that many people who get panic attacks also have a condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP). I read many books and articles about MVP even though I was never diagnosed with it. My physician told me, "there is no peer-reviewed medical literature to support an MVP/panic attack connection, and that the problem was `from the neck up, not from the neck down.'" He then said that the only thing he could do for me was to prescribe medication (antidepressants such as SSRIs) and recommend a psychologist (which I had already done).

Although I was gradually learning how to take care of myself to prevent the panicky feelings, the Magnesium Factor was the turning point for me which helped me to feel whole again. It provided guidelines on finding the right dosage for me; it directed me to online resources I could use to find foods that are high in magnesium. It really helped me to understand why my body so desperately needs magnesium, and why it's so difficult to test for and diagnose. Within about a week of starting magnesium supplementation, eating foods high in magnesium, and following other recommendations in the book, my average resting heart rate dropped approximately 30 points to 70 bpm! I thought, "Wow, this is incredible!" I have been taking magnesium for about 4 months, and now at age 40 I am once again able to do healthy vigorous exercise. I no longer get jittery feelings of "anxiety", heart palpitations, or panic attacks, and I have had only one migraine during the past four months.

THANK YOU to Drs. Seelig and Rosanoff for taking their time and energy to produce this very important book. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE continue your efforts to bring this problem (and solution) to the attention of the public and the medical community.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting, July 26, 2004

By	the critic - See all my reviews

I suffer from PVC's or heart palpitations and ordered this book because I read many postings online by people who have been helped by taking magnesium supplements. I found this book to be of enormous value because I always just assumed that since I ate well I really didn't need supplements and because my magesium levels from my blood tests were normal it was not an issue with me. After reading this book I began taking magnesium supplements daily and perhaps it is too soon to tell or coincidental but I have had no palpitations since taking it. Anyone who has high blood pressure, high cholesteral, migraines, heart disease or any kind of heart rhythm disturbance has to read this book!