Health and Nutrition Info
By Didrik J. Sopler, Ph.D, L.Ac.
12-20-05

Minerals are important in many ways you may not be aware of.

It is well known now that inflammation is damaging to the cardiovascular system and therefore is a big risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have documented this connection.

What may not be as well known is the role some of the minerals play in protecting the cardiovascular system from damage.

Manganese, or what is called mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase, act as cellular defense against damaging superoxide radicals generated as a consequence of inflammation and aerobic metabolism¹. Manganese is necessary for the production of our body’s own antioxidant protective enzymes.

Zinc is another important mineral. In inflammatory conditions, zinc requirements of the vascular endothelium which is found inside the blood vessels, may be increased. A study investigating this issue indicated that zinc is vital to vascular endothelial cell integrity, possibly by regulating signaling events to inhibit apoptotic cell death².

Magnesium is a mineral playing important roles in many cellular functions.

Several data indicate that magnesium deficiency caused by low levels in the diet and or difficulties in metabolizing it may be a missing link between diverse cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis.

Oral magnesium supplementation has shown to improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease and could therefore be useful in preventing atherosclerosis in combination with other preventive measures³.

In another study the researchers demonstrated that low magnesium levels promoted endothelium dysfunction by generating a pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic (forming of blood clots) and pro-atherogenic (forming of deposits in blood vessel walls) environment that could play a role in the pathogenesis (disease promotion) of cardiovascular disease⁴.

This is only some of the reasons these minerals are important. I will explain more about the importance of these minerals and other ones in the next issue of “Health and Nutrition Info.”

How can you get these minerals as well as other ones in an easy absorbable form? You can get them in the BMJ formula. There are many good reasons to take the BMJ formula in addition to the support it provides for bone, joints and neuromuscular function. For more information log onto www.tissuerecovery.com.

Wishing you a great Holliday and Happy New Year,

Didrik

References:

1. Kuo S. Chesrown SE. Mellott JK. et. al. In vivo architecture of the manganese superoxide dismutase promoter. J Biol Chem. 1999 Feb 5;274(6):3345-54.
2. Meerarani P. Ramadass P. Toborek M. et al. Zinc protects against apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by linoleic acid and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan;71(1):81-7.
3. Maier JA. Low magnesium and atherosclerosis: an evidence-based link. Mol Aspects Med. 2003 Feb-Jun;24(1-3):137-46.
4. Maier JA. Malpuech-Brugere C. et al. Low magnesium promotes endothelial cell dysfunction: implication for atherosclerosis, inflammation and thrombosis.