This was from a site talking about Atrial Fibrillation.
Also a note for Australians below.
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MagBicarb Atrial Fibrillation
Natural mineral waters with high concentrations of magnesium and
bicarbonate ions have long been prized for their health promoting
qualities. The famous Apollinaris water contains104 mg/L of magnesium,
but unfortunately is also fairly high in sodium and calcium. Mendocino
water contains 130 mg/L of magnesium, but again has fairly high calcium
and sodium levels. A more ideal water is Noah’s spring water bottled
from the Adobe Springs in California. Noah’s California Spring Water
contains 110 mg/L of magnesium, but only 3 mg/L of calcium and 5 mg/L of
sodium. It also contains 529 mg/L of bicarbonate ions and has a pH of 8.3.
Magnesium-rich mineral waters are easily absorbed and have many health
benefits due not only to their magnesium content, but also because of
their content of bicarbonate ions that help neutralize the carbonic acid
formed in the body during metabolic processes. Several studies have
shown that an increased intake of bicarbonate may help prevent muscle
wasting and bone loss[1-3]. A manufactured magnesium/bicarbonate water,
“Unique Water”, has recently been developed in Australia. It contains
120 mg of magnesium and 650 mg of bicarbonate per liter and has a pH of 8.3.
Erling Waller, a former afibber, and Jackie Burgess, both frequent
contributors to the Bulletin Board, collaborated to develop a recipe for
homemade magnesium/ bicarbonate water that, in its composition, is very
close to both Noah’s California Spring Water and Unique Water. The
recipe is based on the reaction of magnesium hydroxide (in milk of
magnesia) with plain carbonated water according to the formula Mg(OH)2 +
2CO2 --- Mg(HCO3)2.
Plain Milk of Magnesia (MoM) should be used in the recipe. The “active”
ingredient should only be magnesium hydroxide [Mg (OH)2], 400 mg per
teaspoon (5 ml), and the “inactive” ingredient should only be purified
water. 41.7% by weight of magnesium hydroxide is magnesium (Mg), so 5 ml
of MoM has 167 mg of Mg, and 1 tablespoon has 500 mg of Mg (1 tablespoon
= 15 ml).
To prepare the water follow these steps: 1. Chill completely to
refrigerator temperature a 1-liter bottle of fully carbonated water.
Carbonated waters such as /Canada Dry Seltzer/, which consist of only
water and carbon dioxide (CO2), are suitable. Club sodas such as
/Schweppes Club Soda /are also suitable; they are carbonated water with
a small amount of added sodium. 2. Shake well the bottle of MoM, then
measure out as accurately as possible 3 tablespoons (45 ml) and have it
ready. The plastic measuring cup that comes with the MoM is accurate and
ideal for the purpose.
3. Remove the bottle of carbonated water from the refrigerator without
agitating it.
Open it slowly and carefully to minimize the loss of CO2. As soon as the
initial fizzing settles down, slowly add the pre-measured MoM. Promptly
replace the cap on the water bottle and shake it vigorously for 30
seconds or so, making the liquid cloudy.
After ½ hour or so the liquid will have cleared, and any un-dissolved
magnesium hydroxide will have settled to the bottom of the bottle. Again
shake the bottle vigorously for 30 seconds or so, making the liquid
cloudy again. When the liquid again clears all of the magnesium
hydroxide in the MoM should have reacted with all of the CO2 to become
dissolved (ionized) magnesium and bicarbonate. However, if a small
amount of un-dissolved magnesium hydroxide still remains in the bottom
of the bottle as a sediment it may be ignored. This 1 liter of
concentrated magnesium bicarbonate water will have approximately 1500 mg
of magnesium and approximately 7500 mg of bicarbonate. It should be kept
in the refrigerator. You may note that the sides of the bottle “cave in”
when the liquid clears. This is a sign that the reaction is complete.
4. To make 4 liters of magnesium bicarbonate drinking water with
approximately 125 mg of magnesium and approximately 625 mg of
bicarbonate per liter and a pH of approximately 8+ measure and transfer
1/3 liter of the concentrate (333 ml) into a4-liter container. Fill the
container with 3 2/3 liters of plain or purified water, as desired.
Magnesium dissolved in water (ionized) is considerably more bioavailable
than is magnesium in solid tablets or capsules. About 50% of the
magnesium contained in magnesium/bicarbonate water is absorbed[4,5].
This is 12 times better than the absorption rate for magnesium oxide. So
drinking 1 liter of magnesium/bicarbonate water per day would correspond
to taking five 500 mg magnesium oxide tablets daily.
The alkaline magnesium/bicarbonate water should be consumed throughout
the day. It can be consumed with a meal, but not in such quantities that
it results in dilution of stomach acid. Anyone not in the habit of
drinking water should begin by consuming small daily amounts, and
