Healing Connections

Magnesium oxide, also simply referred to as magnesia, is a mineral that is essential in human nutrition. Magnesium is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions and is necessary for every major biological process, including the production of energy and the synthesis of acids and proteins, the contraction of muscles, conduction of nerves, and regulation of vascular tone. It coincides with calcium in the body to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

On average, adult males should have an intake of approximately 300 to 350 milligrams per day, and females require only 200 to 250 milligrams. Foods containing a rich amount of magnesium include grains, nuts, and green vegetables, but standard amounts of the nutrient can be found in meats, starches, and milk. Through the consumption of these foods, magnesium is absorbed through the small intestine and the colon, and then delivered to the liver, bone, and cells.

Magnesium deficiency is quite common in people with alcoholism, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption syndromes, and some types of diabetes. Signs of the lack of magnesium in the body include anorexia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, hypertension, muscle spasm, confusion, tremors and seizures, and loss of coordination. Supplements can remedy the cause of these symptoms.

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Sudden hearing loss could be a warning sign of increased stroke risk, Taiwanese research suggests.

People hospitalised for sudden hearing loss had more strokes in the following five years than otherwise healthy appendicitis patients.

The article, in the journal Stroke, suggested no reason why the hearing problem could be linked to strokes.

UK stroke specialist Dr Tony Rudd, of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, described it as “an unusual” finding.

There are dozens of reasons, including some illnesses, such as mumps, measles, and meningitis, why someone might suffer sudden hearing loss.

The suggestion of the research, which looked at 1,423 patients taken to hospital after losing their hearing, is that it could be a sign that the person has a far higher chance of stroke even some years afterwards.

The hearing loss patients were compared with 5,692 patients taken into hospital for appendix removal - chosen because among hospitalised patients, they best represent the healthy population outside.

The researchers found that after hearing loss, they were one-and-a-half times more likely to have a stroke in the five subsequent years.

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