Posted on 09/05/2008 6:05:07 PM PDT by Coleus
A common household substance may be the key to reducing the number of babies born each year with cerebral palsy, a study being published today has found. Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine found that infusing pregnant women at risk of premature birth with magnesium sulfate -- commonly known as Epsom salts -- just before they delivered cut their chances of having a baby with cerebral palsy in half.
The study's authors say the findings could translate into immediate application by doctors in clinical settings, where about 3 of every 1,000 babies end up being diagnosed with the disabling muscle disorder by the time they turn 3. "We've had absolutely no effective tools at cerebral palsy prevention to offer families with a premature baby," said John Thorp, the McAllister distinguished professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Chapel Hill medical school. "This research in my mind represents a real breakthrough."
Based on the experiences of 2,200 woman, the study is the largest so far in this country to examine the ability of magnesium sulfate to prevent the common birth defect. The research, appearing in today's New England Journal of Medicine, showed no significant benefit of Epsom salts, however, in reducing the rate of infant death in those patients. The big advantage of magnesium sulfate, Thorp said, is that it's cheap and can be found in every maternity ward. It's already used to prevent seizures during delivery in women with pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition marked by high blood pressure and presence of protein in the urine.
Thorp said the side effects of magnesium sulfate infusion therapy can be a "nuisance," but he doesn't consider them harmful.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
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So, why magnesium sulfate?
Bump
maybe this is why, also, Mg is also great for reducing high blood pressure. As far as the sulfate ion being beneficial, we'll have to wait for some of the Dr.'s on the fr to post.
Magnesium is pretty good as an anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, muscle relaxant. It also has a calming effect, and is quite safe.
Taken orally, it’s also a decent laxative.
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There's no laxative effect if you absorb most of it.
Magnesium is essential for brain chemistry.
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