There is an epidemic of asthma in the United States. And magnesium is a common mineral deficiency, especially in the typical processed and junk food diets of so many of the children and young adults with asthma. A new study shows that those who took 370 mgs of magnesium per day had significant improvement in their asthma. Magnesium helps multiple issues involved with asthma. It helps to relax the airways, it helps energy production, and it reduces inflammation. In this study individuals were given magnesium for 6.5 months or placebo. The data showed that a standard test for measuring asthma (methacholine challenge test) was significantly improved, as was the peak expiratory flow rate. In addition to these lab markers individuals taking magnesium had significantly better quality of life and were better able to manage their asthma.
It has long been known that magnesium is helpful for asthma. This new study paints a very clear picture that magnesium is extremely helpful, in a rather moderate dietary supplement dose of 370 mgs per day. I always recommend 600 – 800 mgs of magnesium per day for anyone with this problem (some can’t take this much due to loose stools). Taking magnesium (200 mg – 300 mg) immediately before exercise is also quite helpful, especially for the person with exercise-induced asthma.