Asthma sufferers find relief with magnesium increase, study shows

THE IMPORTANCE of breakfast, in the form of toast and cereal, is given a boost tomorrow with the publication of research which shows that people prone to asthma and wheezing may not be eating enough magnesium.

A combined British and American study based on 2,633 adults from Nottingham has found, for the first time, that the higher the levels of magnesium the better the lung function.

Magnesium is found primarily in nuts, cereals, green vegetables and dairy produce. The researchers found wide variations of magnesium levels in the people they investigated.

They also found that older people were likely to have less magnesium in their bodies. Dr Ian Pavord, a member of the team, said that they could measure the risk of developing hyper- reactivity in the lungs, which increases by at least 10 times the chances of developing a constrictive lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

The research shows that the risk of developing hyper-reactivity could be reduced by 18 per cent for every 100mg of magnesium taken.

The variations in magnesium intake ranged from 182mg to 654mg a day in men and between 160mg to 527mg in women. The UK recommended daily intake of magnesium is 300mg for men and 270mg for women. While the average eaten was 380mg, clearly many people where not eating enough.