Dr. Carolyn Dean is a medical doctor and naturopath. She’s the author of over 35 books, including bestseller The Magnesium Miracle, Total Body ReSet for Women’s Health, Total Body ReSet for Men’s Health, The Complete Guide to Mental Wellness, along with IBS for Dummies, Hormone Balance and Death by Modern Medicine recently revised and released again in 2025.
In 2015, she launched RnA ReSet and brought her 40 years of experience into her proprietary, unique formulations that give every individual at any stage of wellness or illness the necessary building blocks for sustained health, vitality and well-being.
Carolyn Dean's Background Carolyn Dean shared that her early interest in nutrition led her to medical school despite being told her approach was too optimistic. She pursued naturopathic training and observed the benefits of diet and supplements in her practice and an AIDS study.
Discovery of Magnesium Deficiency Carolyn Dean recounted writing a book on magnesium after realizing her own symptoms were due to a deficiency, which was not emphasized in her medical training. This led her to work with a chemist to create a non-laxative form of magnesium.
Importance of Magnesium Carolyn Dean emphasized that 80% of the body's metabolic functions require magnesium, affecting muscles, nerves, insulin, and energy production in mitochondria. She noted its crucial role in various bodily processes.
Magnesium in Women's Health Carolyn Dean explained how magnesium deficiency can contribute to infertility by causing spasms in the fallopian tubes. She also highlighted its use in treating eclampsia during pregnancy.
Magnesium's Cellular Function Carolyn Dean described how magnesium facilitates the movement of calcium in and out of cells, which is essential for nerve and muscle function. A lack of magnesium can lead to an excess of calcium in cells, causing various issues like twitching, spasms, and premenstrual tension.
Interactions with Other Nutrients Carolyn Dean discussed how high sugar intake can deplete vitamin C levels in cells, affecting antioxidant processes. She also touched upon the quality of omega-3 sources, recommending algae-based options over potentially contaminated fish oils.
Magnesium as a Foundational Nutrient Brooke Harmer summarized that magnesium is not a cure-all but is vital and should be intentionally included in one's system. Carolyn Dean likened it to a "gateway drug" for health and suggested saturating the body with non-laxative magnesium before extensive testing. She listed numerous conditions potentially misdiagnosed as magnesium deficiency.
Food Sources of Magnesium and Depletion Carolyn Dean, a proponent of "food first," funds an organic farm but still finds it difficult to obtain sufficient magnesium from diet alone due to soil depletion. She mentioned that magnesium content in food has significantly decreased over the last century. Carolyn Dean shared her personal experience of needing supplementation despite eating organic food.
Challenges in Recognizing Magnesium Deficiency Carolyn Dean expressed concern that many individuals with magnesium in their cabinets may not realize its benefits due to laxative effects or a lack of awareness. She pointed out the lack of nutrition education in medical school and the absence of magnesium testing in standard electrolyte panels. Only 1% of the body's magnesium is found in the blood, making serum levels an unreliable indicator of overall status.
Consequences of Untreated Magnesium Deficiency Carolyn Dean highlighted how doctors often treat symptoms of magnesium deficiency with medications instead of addressing the root cause. She mentioned the importance of minerals like zinc for postpartum health and the nine minerals needed for thyroid function. Carolyn Dean shared her personal experience of resolving thyroid issues with mineral supplementation. Brooke Harmer affirmed the significant role magnesium played in her pregnancies, alleviating morning sickness, headaches, cramps, and helping with blood pressure and glucose regulation.
Benefits of Magnesium During Pregnancy and Menopause Brooke Harmer detailed how magnesium supported her sleep and bowel regularity during pregnancy and expressed confidence in its universal benefits for women. Carolyn Dean concurred, noting similar benefits for menopausal symptoms and highlighting that elevated estrogen levels can lower magnesium. She emphasized magnesium as a frequently overlooked mineral.
Co-factors and Absorption of Magnesium Carolyn Dean discussed vitamin B6 as a co-factor mentioned with some magnesium compounds but stated that her ionic magnesium does not require assistance for absorption. She explained how magnesium compounds must dissociate to allow the magnesium ion to enter cells. Carolyn Dean also noted the lack of comprehensive absorption studies for nutritional supplements.
The Calcium-Magnesium Balance Carolyn Dean addressed the common emphasis on calcium, explaining that much of it is poorly absorbed and can precipitate into soft tissues. She stressed the importance of a balanced calcium-to-magnesium ratio, recommending a near 1:1 intake, unlike the higher calcium recommendations. Brooke Harmer reinforced that excessive calcium without sufficient magnesium can lead to problems.
Magnesium's Role in Bone Health Carolyn Dean clarified that magnesium, along with vitamin C, is crucial for collagen and elastin production, forming the soft tissue matrix of bones. She explained that traditional bone research overlooked magnesium because it is burned off during analysis. Carolyn Dean also cautioned against bisphosphonate drugs for bone density, as they can lead to brittle bones.
Different Forms of Magnesium Carolyn Dean clarified that while various forms of magnesium exist (like glycinate and malate), any magnesium intake is generally beneficial as the body needs the magnesium ion. She suggested that marketing often emphasizes specific forms for particular benefits without substantial evidence. Carolyn Dean focused on a stabilized magnesium ion for optimal absorption. She debunked the claim that magnesium L-threonate is the only form absorbed by the brain and highlighted misleading marketing practices regarding elemental magnesium content in supplements.
Practical Advice on Magnesium Supplementation Brooke Harmer summarized that any form of magnesium is better than none. Carolyn Dean advised dissolving magnesium capsules or powders in water to minimize laxative effects. She also expressed a preference for avoiding pills due to binders and fillers.
Resources for Learning More Carolyn Dean shared her book title, "The Magnesium Miracle" (later corrected to "The Magnesium Miracle Revised and Updated"), and mentioned it is available on Amazon. She provided her educational website, drcarolynDean.com, her Monday radio show information, and her store website, rnareset.com. Carolyn Dean explained the limitations on health claims for supplements due to FDA regulations.
The Cycle of Magnesium Deficiency and Medical Treatment Carolyn Dean illustrated how common medical interventions, like diuretics for slightly elevated blood pressure, can inadvertently worsen magnesium deficiency, leading to further health complications and more medications. She emphasized that magnesium is a natural blood pressure and cholesterol balancer.
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