Ailments : A-Z

CMK™ (Calcium-Magnesium-Potassium)
Rowland Formula 24

Calcium, magnesium and potassium are electrolyte minerals that the body requires in balance. Together these minerals work throughout the body to help regulate fluid pressures, transmit nerve impulses, and contract muscles. To provide the electrical charges necessary for the above functions, these minerals need to be in an inorganic form (i.e., bonded by ionic valence).

CMK™ is an ideal supplement to add if a particular broad spectrum formula (PRIME, PLUS, RTRE) does not provide enough of any one of calcium, magnesium or potassium to meet a particular individual's needs. CMK helps to relieve hypertension, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle cramps/spasms, nervous tics and twitches, or hypersensitivity to noise

Suggested Use: 1 to 5 tablets daily, in divided amounts with meals.

Synergistic Support for CMK™

Vitamins A & D if not provided in other supplements being taken. UltraGest™ as a digestive aid, if required.

Low Sodium Salt to reduce dietary sodium (and increase potassium) for those who have hypertension aggravated by sodium imbalance.

Ratios
The ideal ratio of calcium to magnesium to potassium varies from person to person, depending on each individual's unique biochemical requirements. There are no scientific studies to suggest what an average ideal ratio might be for the population at large. Recommended ratios are based on educated opinions.

There is some general agreement that a ratio of calcium to magnesium of 2:1 in supplements may be desirable. A few experts recommend a 1:1 ratio. Supplementary potassium is usually ignored, because it is assumed that most diets provide enough of this mineral without the need for supplements. Technically, this is true. But there is benefit to adding potassium to mineral supplements because the potassium helps the body to make better utilization of the calcium and magnesium in those supplements.

When all factors are considered, for most adults the ideal ratio of calcium to magnesium to potassium in a broad spectrum vitamin-mineral supplement is probably about 8:5:4 (as in PRIME™ and PLUS™). This needs to be changed to 4:5:4 in supplements whose primary purpose is the dissolving of arterial plaque (RTRE™) – the relatively higher magnesium in that case is needed to dissolve the calcium that is released from the arterial deposits.

For a supplement containing only calcium, magnesium and potassium the ideal ratio is probably about 1:1:1. That is because this kind of supplement is used for individuals whose need for these electrolyte minerals is higher than can be met from other supplements. Since there is more variability in magnesium and potassium requirements than for calcium, the 1:1:1 ratio may be effectively utilized by the greatest number of people.

Interrelationships
• Magnesium keeps calcium soluble, to prevent it from precipitating out. Calcification and bone spurs often indicate magnesium deficiency.
• A calcium to magnesium ratio that is too high tends to constrict blood vessels and make the blood coagulate too easily, thus increasing the risk for coronary thrombosis.1
• Potassium and magnesium work closely together at the cellular level. Magnesium losses can induce a potassium deficiency. Potassium loss can be reduced by magnesium supplementation.2
• Magnesium deficiency is associated with loss of cellular potassium.3 Potassium supplementation helps to reduce magnesium excretion.4

Absorption
Which mineral supplements are the easiest for the body to absorb depends more on how they are taken than which ones are taken. In one study, fasting subjects were given 500 mg. of calcium from each of five calcium compounds and milk. No significant differences in absorption were found among the various sources of calcium. The mean net calcium absorption in each case was 39% from calcium carbonate, 32% from calcium acetate, 32% from calcium lactate, 31% from milk, 30% from calcium citrate, and 27% from calcium gluconate.5 "Fasting subjects" means that these people were given the various forms of calcium on an empty stomach. That is not the most efficient way to take mineral supplements, however.

Mineral compounds require the presence of stomach acid for adequate absorption. (Hydrochloric acid levels usually decline as we get older.) One study found that calcium from calcium carbonate is well absorbed if this supplement is taken with a meal — even if stomach acid is otherwise too low.6

Calcium carbonate provides the highest amount of calcium (40%) of all supplementary sources (e.g., calcium citrate provides 24% and calcium gluconate 9%). Similarly, magnesium oxide provides the highest amount of magnesium (60%) and potassium chloride has the highest amount of potassium (52%). Chelates provide 5% or less of the minerals in question.

High Blood Pressure
Calcium supplementation lowers blood pressure; about one-third of people can be expected to respond well to calcium supplementation alone.7, 8, 9 Magnesium supplementation has repeatedly been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensives under double blind conditions.10, 11 Potassium supplementation lowers blood pressure 12, 13 partly by increasing the dietary sodium/potassium ratio and partly by reducing calcium excretion.14

Muscle Cramps
Calcium deficiency causes neuromuscular irritability.15 Magnesium deficiency causes muscular cramps and spasms.16, 17 Muscle cramps may be associated with low potassium and usually respond to potassium supplementation.18

Osteoporosis
There is a growing body of controlled trials which strongly suggest that some of the age-related bone loss in elderly women could be prevented by higher intake of calcium.19 Magnesium has been shown to increase bone density.20, 21 Dietary potassium promotes calcium retention and may protect bone from osteoporotic changes.22

Irregular Heartbeat
Magnesium helps to regulate the electrical activity of the heart. Magnesium deficiency increases the danger of cardiac arrhythmias.23 Magnesium supplementation may prevent and correct a wide variety of arrhythmias.24 Potassium deficiency is associated with arrhythymias.25 The heart muscle is unable to hold onto potassium in the absence of magnesium.26

1. Seelig MS. J Am Coll Nutr 13(5):429-46, 1994.
2 . Whang R et al. Arch Intern Med 152:40-5, 1992.
3. Altura BM, Altura BT. Magnesium 3(4-6):175-94, 1984.
4. Bell R et al. Nutr Res 12:17-26, 1992.
5. N Eng J Med. Vol. 317, No. 9, Aug. 27, 1987.
6. N Eng J Med July 11, 1985.
7 . Allender PS. Ann Intern Med 124(9):825-31, 1996.
8. Bucher HC et al. JAMA 275(13):1016-22, 1996.
9. Resnick LM. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 64(6):803-7, 1986.
10. Sanjuliani AF et al. Int J Cardiol 56:177-83, 1996.
11. Witteman JCM et al. Am J Clin Nutr 60:129-35, 1994.
12. Cappuccio FP et al. J Hypertens 9:465-73, 1991.
13. Whelton, PK et al. JAMA 277(20):1624-32, 1997.
14. Bell R et al. Nutr Res 12:17-26, 1992.
15. Tonner DR, Schlechte JA. Med Clin North Am 77(1):251-63, 1993.
16. Khokhlov AM et al. Khirurgiia (Mosk) (9):88-92, 1989.
17. Moorkens Get al. Magnes Res 10(4):329-37, 1997.
18. Portier C. Nouv Presse Med 2(25):1717, 1973.
19. Heaney RP. N Engl .1 Med 328(7):503-5, 1993.
20. Stendig-Lindberg Get al. Magnes Res 6(2):155-63, 1993.
21. Rude RK, Olerich Ml. Osteoporosis Int 6(6):453-61.
22. Lemann J et al. J Nutr 123:1623-6, 1993.
23. Altura BM et al. J Am Coll Nutr 8(5):456, 1989.
24. Dietch D. BMJ312:1101, 1996.
25. Kafka H et al. Arch Intern Med 147(3):465-9, 1987.
26. Dychner T, Wester PO. Magnesium in Health and Disease. Spectrum Publishing, 1980:551-7.

Low Sodium Salt
Rowland Formula 36

Low Sodium Salt provides a 60:40 ratio of potassium to sodium – plus a hint of spices to give it a gourmet flavour. Makes it easy to stick to a sodium restricted diet. Good to use as seasoning before cooking and also great in a table shaker.

Most salt substitutes contain no sodium and only potassium, which by itself doesn't have a very appealing taste. When something doesn't taste good, people are unlikely to continue its use. Furthermore, the reasoning behind the all-potassium salt substitutes is faulty. It is not that the body requires zero sodium, it simply requires more potassium than sodium in order to maintain its electrolyte balance of these two minerals.

Ingredients: Potassium Chloride, Iodized Sodium Chloride, Tri-Calcium Phosphate, Celery, Parsley, Onion, Garlic, Dill, and Kelp.