I was watching Dr. Oz on Friday. I usually avoid his program but I got interested in this one as it was about preventing Alzheimer's Disease.

His guest advocated using a multi-vitamin that is mineral free. He said that the metals that are added build up in the brain. He said we normally get all the zinc, iron and copper we need through our diets. Made sense.

He also said that fish oils contain lots of metal and that we should be very careful about the kind and amount we take.

This caught my attention because I take Omega-3 fish oil tablets and I also take Krill Oil tablets. I never thought about these supplements containing metals but it makes sense now that I think about it.

Are there other minerals that contain metal? What about magnesium? I've started taking a magnesium supplement and it's helping my leg spasticity at night. I've cut down to just one Baclofen before bed and I was taking 2 or three before the supplement.

I'm just wondering if the risk of metal absorption from these minerals is enough to be concerned about. I think the Krill Oil and Omego-3 is benefiting my health otherwise.

I have to say... blech on Dr. Oz.

Most people have terrible diets... just terrible.

Example: do you know how many people use ACE inhibitors?
Well millions and millions because they are now first line for blood pressure control. Well ACE inhibitors deplete ZINC...
And so do water pills (diuretics, estrogens (from HRT or birth control), and steroids.

Vegans cannot absorb zinc well, because of the phytates in the veggies complex zinc and make it unavailable for absorption.
Zinc is not typically therefore a problem in a vitamin tablet.

The magnesium in a multivitamin is magnesium stearate...this is not soluble and not absorbed. It is a lubricant to make pressing the tablets easier and less sticky in the machines. It does not count as a nutrient.

I think you are a bit confused about "metal" and mineral. A mineral is often a metal, but when in the metallic state it is not soluble and not absorbed by the body, unless solubilized by
body acids.

Minerals are often cofactors in various enzymes. They can only be absorbed as ions, and when in ionic state they are not metals.
Metals are a solid state form of an inorganic molecule.
It is estimated that about 70% of Americans are low in magnesium. It is a serious deficiency.

Zinc deficiency has been found in ADHD children:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16190794

Zinc deficiency in the elderly:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8353362

Dr. Oz's guests advocate many things... he had a show once with a doctor advocating HCG for dieting! (because his wife used it).

I won't watch him anymore...he often doesn't even understand what he talks about, and will contradict himself later in the show on the subject. He once told a woman on his show about low D levels to eat more mushrooms! (mushrooms have D2 in them and this does little or nothing). Dr. Oz is not good for MY blood pressure most days! LOL

LOL! I generally don't watch him, either. I just got interested in this particular show because he had someone on there to discuss Alzheimer's Disease. Since my Mom and sister both died from it I wanted to hear what he had to say.

I'm usually unimpressed with just about anything Dr. Oz has to say. His program is just a bunch of screaming women there to giggle and swoon over him. And even that I can't see!!

This particular doctor was talking about heavy metals and how they're found in many Alzheimer brains. I don't take extra iron or even iron fortified vitamins. I don't eat red meat. About the only fish I eat is salmon and tilapia.

The magnesium supplement is the only thing I have noticed a big improvement with. I also use the Epsom lotion and have started using your trick of applying it to my wrists for better absorption.

I've stopped the HBP meds (both Lisinopril and Losartan).

I am glad the magnesium is helping you.

You know between magnesium, B12, and Vit D...if those were fixed in most people, their chronic suffering could be greatly
minimized.

I love the Magnesium lotion...it is fantastic IMO.

Well, I take B12, D3 and magnesium so I'm hoping I can be fixed.....or at least improved!