​80 percent of Americans have been found to be deficient in magnesium. Many people do not eat magnesium rich foods, are taking medicines that deplete magnesium or are using up all their magnesium.
 
Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical functions in the body, such as regulating heartbeat rhythms and helping neurotransmitter function.  This is why hypomagnesemia (another name for magnesium deficiency) is something you really want to avoid.
 
Magnesium is an essential mineral and an electrolyte. Some of the main functions of magnesium are:

• Regulating blood pressure
• Keeping bones strong
• Balancing nitric oxide in the body
• Supporting growth and development in babies and children
• Supporting proper function of nerves, muscles, and tissue
• Neutralizing stomach acid
• Moving stools through the intestine and preventing constipation

 
The kidneys primarily control levels of magnesium within the body and excrete magnesium into the urine each day which is one reason why urinary excretion is reduced when magnesium and other electrolyte statuses are low. Magnesium is actually the least abundant serum electrolyte in the body, but it’s still extremely important for your metabolism, enzyme function, energy production and much more.
 
Although we only need small amounts of magnesium relative to other nutrients, we must regularly replenish our stores either from foods or magnesium supplements in order to prevent deficiency symptoms. That’s because the body loses stores of magnesium every day from normal functions, such as muscle movement, heartbeat and hormone production.
 
Stress is a major cause of magnesium deficiency. Under stress, the body produces excessive amounts of estrogen. Stress can be caused by many factors such as extreme diets that are missing nutrients, mental approaches to life, lifestyle circumstances, excessive work or a lack of rest or sleep and many other factors. Adequate good quality salt is important to strengthen the adrenals so that the body holds on to magnesium.
 
It is best to get magnesium from foods and in some cases good quality supplements such as magnesium glycinate. Foods that are high in magnesium that are more balanced in their effects are: peaches, avocado, orange juice in moderate amounts, apricots, avocado, bananas, leafy greens, beets, wild rice, buckwheat, oats, black eyed peas, kidney beans, brown rice, wild salmon, halibut and many meats.
 
If you can handle coffee, it is high in magnesium. Magnesium is also high in chocolate, nuts and seeds. Because of its stimulating effects, I don't recommend a daily use of chocolate. Excessive amounts of polyunsaturated fats in nuts and seeds can lower the metabolism which creates a high estrogen state. I recommend the moderate use of seeds and nuts except in the condiment sesame salt.

Gut health has become popular with commercial products advertised on television and online. Doctors are talking about the importance of it even though most are late to the parade.

In macrobiotic teachings from the 70’s, gut health was known as intestinal health. Since I started teaching and counseling people about natural health in the 70’s, I’ve focused on gut health as a key to health.

New information since then explains how intestinal or gut health not only plays a role in digestion and elimination but also in immune health. A large percentage of the immune cells of the body are near the large intestines. The most likely reason for their location is to neutralize bad bacteria in the large intestines. If bad bacteria enter the body it can cause sickness.

The large intestines are home to millions of bacteria somewhere between two to six pounds. These bacteria provide important functions such as the synthesis of folic acid and valuable nutrients from foods including vitamins K and portions of the B complex. Good bacteria is thought to aid in digestion, elimination, and aspects of immunity.

When the bacteria become imbalanced, the immune system and elimination slows down. About 60 million people suffer from constipation in the U.S. This causes an imbalance in the bacteria in the colon that could lead to irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, colon cancer and other serious bowel disorders. Technically, bad bacteria in the colon is called dysbiosis. When bad bacteria over grows, it can enter the small intestines and interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

The modern diet which is low in fiber, high in sugar and poor-quality fats is a major cause of bacterial overgrowth and poor gut health.  Natural diets that also contribute to poor bowel health are diets that are low carb, raw foods diets and imbalanced vegan diets.  Each of these diets are missing nutrients that are important for the bowel.

Gut health is supported by whole grains, beans, cooked vegetables and some fruit. The fiber in these foods feed the good bacteria. Fermented foods such as non-vinegar, chemical free pickles, kvass - a fermented drink from rye or beets, miso, and yogurt can help feed the healthy bacteria.

Moderate amounts of olive oil and coconut oil are naturally anti -bacterial. Adequate protein in the diet will lead to strong muscles in the colon and digestive tract ensuring healthy peristalsis - movement through the digestive tract. Adequate proteins are gotten from natural meats such as grass-fed beef, wild fish, pastured chicken, eggs and raw cheese or good quality protein powders for vegans. Although the use of protein powders as a subsitute for natural unprocessed animal proteins will not be fully known until they are used for many decades and generations, and records of the results are studied. It is our hope that they will substitute adequately.

To keep the metabolism high, I suggest that vegans and vegetarians take certain supplements. Diets lacking any important nutrients put the body in stress and lower the metabolism slowing down the colon function.  In addition, good lifestyle practices include limiting stress, adequate sleep, regular eating and daily exercise helps keep circulation flowing for good intestinal health.

I suggest the use of probiotics when someone takes antibiotics. Yet, probiotics if taken too long can lead to an overgrowth of good bacteria that can negatively impact your health. The only probiotic that I recommend for daily use is one made from soil. It is called Bodybiotics. It supports your intestinal flora but does not create an overgrowth. You can find out more about Bodybiotics at my website.
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https://www.macrobiotic.com/health-products.html  Bodybiotics
https://www.macrobiotic.com/how-to-be-safe-on-a-vegan-diet-not-vagen.html

High blood pressure is a common problem in America. The solution offered is drugs. These drugs have many side effects. Modern medicine believes that high blood pressure makes one more at risk for heart disease and strokes.

There are other solutions which I will discuss, but first let’s look at the side effects of medicines that are prescribed. The major drugs prescribed are diuretics, beta blockers, ace inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. Each have their own side effects which are too numerous to list but here are a few.


Diuretics deplete important minerals from the body which can cause edema, low blood sugar, kidney problems and impotence.

Beta blockers can lead to serious heart problems.

Ace inhibitors block a chemical that raises the blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers can make you more susceptible to infections, cause kidney and serious heart complications.

The medical approach is often targeted to stop something happening in the body that is a natural process. If the blood pressure is high, there is a reason that it is happening. It is more important to understand and treat why this is happening.

Modern medicine keeps dropping the levels of blood pressure that is considered too high. In the past it was understood that it was natural to have a higher blood pressure when one was older. That is not what is professed today. Lowering blood pressure without understanding the cause is like turning your car radio louder when you hear a noise from the engine. That noise, the blood pressure sign, will eventually cause a problem if not addressed.

There are some natural health practitioners and doctors that believe high blood pressure is not a disease. From their view, high blood pressure is an adjustment in the body for an underlying health issue. Doing nothing may be an option from this view point. This is a personal decision.

It is possible to lower the blood pressure if you address the underlying cause. If you try any of these suggestions on your own while you are taking blood pressure medication, be sure to check your blood pressure regularly as the blood pressure may drop and cause symptoms of low blood pressure. At this time, it is important to address lowering your dosage with your doctor. I’ve seen people be able to stop blood pressure medications through natural means under their doctors supervision.

These issues can create high blood pressure from a natural view point:

1. The kidneys are getting weaker.
2. The body is in a stress mode.
3. The arteries are either contracting or hardening from inflammation.  

In my Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach Consultations, I have specific ways to diagnose each of these conditions.

Here are some ways to address these  to get started. For people with serious concerns, I recommend counseling with me first.

For kidney health, eat natural saturated fats such as coconut oil and butter, adequate proteins but not excessive proteins from natural animal foods or non-soy protein powders for vegans (about 40-60 grams per day), limit refined sugars and be sure to eat a well-balanced diet centered around grains and vegetables.

Blood pressure naturally goes up with stress and some people are more susceptible to stress. A diet that is missing any nutrient including adequate calories, fats, proteins and other nutrients such as B12 with vegans or carbs with Paleo eaters will induce stress. Dieting, skipping meals, not getting enough sleep, too much or too little exercise are other stressors. Modern diets with high amounts of sugars, poor quality fats and poorly balanced meals, alcohol and medicines contribute.

Although the cause needs to be eliminated and a better diet such as a Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach to your way of eating adopted, certain supplements such as vitamin C and the herb Reishi mushroom can lower stress levels. Slow moving exercises with breathing such as qigong have been found to be effective to lower the blood pressure.

Arteries will contract when the body is in the stress mode causing high blood pressure. Inflammation is caused from excessive amounts of refined sugars, poor quality vegetable oil such as soybean oil, pesticides and chemicals in foods, excessive amounts of raw fruits and raw salads, medications, recreational drugs and alcohol. Inflammation will cause scarring and calcium to harden the arteries which raises the blood pressure.   

Besides avoiding and limiting certain foods, a diet centered on grains and vegetables with natural animal foods or supplements to replace them, natural fats and sugars, fruit and other natural foods counter inflammation. Specific foods and remedies that counter inflammation are vitamin C, kuzu thickener, turmeric and ginger.  There is a protocol with vitamin C and other nutrients that has been found to reverse hardening of the arteries.

People with high blood pressure from all causes can benefit from calcium and magnesium rich foods. These include grass fed high calcium dairy products such as raw cheese, raw or pasteurized whole milk, yogurt, leafy greens, and small amounts of nuts. For those who don’t eat dairy products, a calcium supplement along with vitamin K2 can be substituted. K 2 is important to take with calcium as it prevents calcium from entering the wrong parts of the body, the arteries and joints. All grass-fed dairy products have vitamin K2.

Blood Pressure Medication and Mortality Risk  JAMA  Rhonda M. Cooper-DeHoff; Yan Gong; Eileen M. Handberg; Anthony A. Bavry; Scott J. Denardo; George L. Bakris; Carl J. Pepine
The Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach to Eating: https://www.macrobiotic.com/macrobiotic-diet.html