Sudden Cardiac Death More Common in Young Athletes Than Thought

After high school basketball star, Wes Leonard, died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest after playing in a basketball game last week, parents of teen athletes are wondering, "could my child have a silent problem also?"

Unfortunately, a mandatory screening program of athletes that involves an electrocardiogram (EKG) before participation in sports does not reduce the incidence of sudden death, according to an upcoming article in Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Mildred Seelig, the worldwide magnesium researcher, stated in her book, THE MAGNESIUM FACTOR, that "When a young person suddenly collapses and dies, and an autopsy fails to reveal a heart defect, a fatal heart arrhythmia is the suspected cause. The loss of cellular potassium and increase in cellular calcium that results from magnesium deficiency, gives rise to arrhythmias." If not treated with supplemental magnesium immediately, this can cause cardiac death.

Magnesium belongs in a category of minerals called electrolytes because they conduct electrical signals in the body. Magnesium is necessary for over 300 enzyme reactions involving nerve transmissions, muscle contraction, and maintenance of a normal heart rhythm. All important electrolytes are lost through perspiration, except calcium. Low magnesium levels during exercise cause muscle fatigue, breathing difficulty, and an irregular heartbeat.

Because magnesium has been deficient in the American diet for over 20 years in 70% of the U.S. population, according to the two previous HANES studies, and because it is depleted through sweating during heavy physical activity, supplementation should be necessary for all serious athletes.

Blood magnesium is not an adequate measure of cellular magnesium status. High blood potassium is a clue, but the best measure is a 24 hour urine or an erythrocyte Mg level. How many more senseless deaths must our young athletes experience before screening and supplementation of magnesium among elite athletes becomes the norm?

Magnesium references upon request.

Have a happy, healthy day.

Bonnie Minsky MA, MPH, CNS, LDN

nutritionalconcepts.com

Bonnie Minsky of IL 9:36AM April 05, 2011