Magnesium

[hugs2day]

Hi, Just doing my research and finished another book on LYME. I read from several doctors that state if Bartonella is suspected and being treated do not use oral magnesium because it feeds the spriochetes.

 

I use lots of magnesium on my kids for tics and constipation, both PANDAS kids with history of chronic strep.

 

Can anyone confirm if your LLMD is saying this as well? Maybe I need to remove the magnesium supplement until all testing is complete. Very concerned, please share what you know about this topic and lyme. thank you.

[LNN]

This is only my opinion and you should certainly follow your doctor's advice, but I too freaked when i first started doing lyme research. It's not just Bartonella. You'll come to the same dilemma if/when you confront biofilms. Shold you supplement with x, y or z if the body needs it but the bacteria hoardes it?

 

Here's where I've landed on the decision - you aren't going to starve the bacteria to death by depriving them of x, y or z. And chance are, if there's any x, y or z in the body, the bacteria are going to grab it before the body can use it. So the pain of any shortage is felt by the body first - at least that's my belief (not based on research, just my own reasoning). Antibiotics or herbs are going to kill the bacteria, not starving it of magnesium. The bacteria may not thrive as well, but they're not going to go away if you stop giving magnesium.

 

But if you don't supplement, you will be starving the body of a really important mineral and your child will pay the price. I feel the same way about calcium and other elements that are needed by the body but also go into biofilms. My kids brains come first. I will confront the bacteria using other tactics.

 

Now, this is just my opinion. I've read doctor views on both sides of the debate. So you have to follow your own gut and your own doctor - and most importantly - the response of your child's body. JMHO.

[sf_mom]

We rotate between two LLMDs. One Dr. follows Dr. Klinghardt protocols a little more closely than the other and our Dr.'s are split on if we should be supplementing with magnesium. We originally started this journey supplementing nightly with Calm for the kids and 2,000 m.g.s of Magnesium per day for myself. It definitely helped my children sleep better. I could not tell a difference supplementing with magnesium for myself. Since we started treating biofilm's, we temporarily stopped supplementing and replaced magnesium with melatonin to help with sleep issues. One son does suffer from ongoing constipation but are addressing his regularity and stools via other supplements.

 

Now that I have a better understanding of the topic.... I think my decision to supplement would depend on if its helping, if progress is or isn't being made with other protocols, if there is a substantial biofilm problem and what phase of treatment you are currently. In the very beginning of treatment you've got to do whatever makes an obvious difference. As they get better you begin to take away things and test to see if its no longer needed.

 

We are in the process of rechecking many labs for our older DS as he begins to wind down on treatment. Checking for biofilms is on the list. If there isn't a continuing problem with biofilm's I would consider supplementing again if there are obvious benefits.

 

If you read more extensively on Vitamin D you will find similar conflict of perspective.

 

Edit: I think some of the additional supplements right out of the gate when treating Lyme/chronic infection would be what helps with methylation/detox specific to your child. Hence testing and supplementing with things like B-12, C, L-glutathione, minerals, etc can make a big difference. If I remember correctly you have a dual diagnoses that includes ASD and often methylation/detox is an issue for this particular population.

Edited March 1, 2012 by SF Mom

[rowingmom]

I just pulled this from Buhner's website. Timely huh?

 

Dear Stephen,

I continue to hear that certain vitamins and minerals actually feed lyme. And yet, most of us find ourselves extremely deficient in them. In my case I’m very low in iron and magnesium. What are your thoughts on having to repair a deficiency during lyme treatment? If you’re very low, would it make sense that the immune system will not perform to its full capacity unless these deficiencies are corrected to keep fighting lyme?

 

Stephen’s response:

Sigh. I don’t subscribe to that orientation. Essentially, ALL PARASTIC BACTERIA FEED ON CERTAIN SUBSTANCES FROM OUR BODIES, that is why they live in us and not in the wild in some pond. They have to get certain substances from us because they can’t make it themselves. The treatment then focuses on making sure the body is not depleted of those substances because YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THEM EITHER. Making sure that those levels are high will keep many symptoms at bay. You also, of course treat the bacteria themselves through other means. So, in essence. YOU ARE COMPLETELY CORRECT

[Bill]

My son was diagnosed with Bartonella and our doctor is in favor of providing magnesium. I stopped the last time we ran out as I was not seeing much difference but my son has asked for it as he's been ticcing lately. Restarting tonight in fact. Our doctor follows the theory that you need to give the body what it needs. The bart may get most of it but perhaps the body gets some that it would not have otherwise. BTW - the same discussion has been held regarding vitamin D and lyme. Our llmd believes it's better to provide vitamin D to help the patient there as well.

 

Bill