METHOD FOR ASSAYING IONIZED MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS AND A COMPOSITION OF BIOAVAILABLE MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing and storing biological samples prior to measuring ionized Mg<2+> concentrations in order to obtain accurate and reproducible readings. A novel method for accurately reading ionized magnesium ion concentrations in biological samples is provided. A method for monitoring ionized Mg<2+> concentrations and ionized Ca<2+>:Mg<2+> ratios in a patient, useful in diagnosing and prognosing disease states including cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, hypertension, abnormal pregnancy, head trauma, and fetal abnormalities is provided as well as a composition and a method of treating a patient with ionized Mg<2+> or ionized Ca<2+> and mg<2+>.

Description: "METHOD FOR ASSAYING IONIZED MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS AND A COMPOSITION OF BIOAVAILABLE MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM" FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to ionized magnesium 24" and to ionized calcium 2+ /ionized magnesium ratios, specifically to sample handling, determination of ionized magnesium 2" * " or ionized calcium 2 " /ionized magnesium 24" ratios and the association of ionized magnesium 24" deficiencies or imbalances, or ionized calcium 2 7ionized magnesium 24" imbalances in certain disease states. The invention also relates to compositions and methods of treating individuals that have ionized magnesium 24" deficiencies or imbalances, or ionized calcium 24" /ionized magnesium 24" imbalances. BACKGROUND ART Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant cation in the body [Altura, B.M. et al., Drugs 28 (Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984]. It is cofactor for more than 325 cellular enzymes involved in cellular energy production and storage, protein synthesis, DNA and RNA synthesis, cell growth and reproduction, adenylate cyclase synthesis, maintenance of cellular electrolyte composition, and stabilization of mitochondrial membranes [Altura, B.M. et al, Drugs 28 (Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984; Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1980]. As a consequence of these biochemical activities, Mg plays a pivotal role in control of neuronal activity, cardiac excitability, neuromuscular transmission, muscular contraction, and vasomotor tone [Altura, B.M. et al., Drugs 28 (Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984; Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1980; Altura, B.M. et al., in: Metal Ions in Biological Systems, ed. by H. Sigel and A. Sigel, Vol 26: Compendium on Magnesium and Its Role in Biology, Nutrition, and Physiology, pp 359-416, Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, 1990]. Most clinical data of Mg determinations are derived from blood levels of total Mg (Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. 1980; Elin, RJ. Clin. Chem. 33: 1965-1970, 1987). Total serum Mg concentrations reflect protein-bound (30-40%), SUBSTITUTE SHEET ° chelated (7-12%), and free or ionized Mg (Mg 2+ ) (60-70%) fractions. The exact proportion of these fractions has been extremely difficult to determine precisely, and, moreover, there is no way to rapidly make such determinations. Precise information about Mg activity is pivotal to our understanding of Mg metabolism. The free or ionized form (Mg 2+ ) is the active form of the mineral (Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. 1980; Elin, R.J. Clin. Chem. 33:1965-1970, 1987; Ryan, M.F. Ann. Clin. Biochem. 28:19-26, 1991). Alterations in circulating protein levels (primarily albumin), which are seen in numerous pathophysiologic states, will alter the interpretation of Mg status (very similar to calcium) (Elin, R.J. Clin. Chem. 33:1965- 10 1970, 1987). Although numerous methods are available clinically, to determine total Mg in serum, plasma, urine, cerebral spinal fluid and other body fluids (e.g., atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectrophotometry, colorimetry, 5 fluorometry, compleximetry and chromatograph for quantifying total Mg), none of these can determine ionized or free Mg 2+ (Elin, R.J. Clin. Chem. 33:1965-1970, 1987; Wills, M.R. et al. Magnesium 5:317-327, 1986). Until the present invention, the only method for assessing free Mg 2+ in 0 biological samples was an ultrafiltration procedure (Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. 1980; Elin, R.J. Clin. Chem. 33:1965-1970, 1987; Wills, M.R. et al. Magnesium 5:317-327, 1986; Aikawa, J.K. Magnesium: Its Biologic Significance. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1981). While this procedure is capable of measuring free Mg 2+ , it is fraught with a multiplicity of problems (need to control pH, need to 5 control filter composition, time-consuming, inability to access whole blood Mg^ + , need for centrifugation of blood). In addition, and most important, these classical methods, which primarily depend upon modifications of the procedure outlined by Watchom, E. et al. (Biochem. J. 26:54, 1932), Toribara et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 36:738, 1957) and Walser, M. (J. Clin. Invest. 40:723-730, 1961) result in ionized Mg 2+ values on normal subjects which are significantly different from those obtained by the present method as assessed using an ion selective electrode (ISE). Using ultracentrifugation methods combined with ultrafiltration methods to assess free Mg 2+ , the percentages of ultrafilterable Mg reported by previous workers (around 70%) u (Cummings, N.A. et al. Anal. Biochem 22: 108-116, 1968; Nielson, S.P. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 23:219-225, 1960) are much higher than the values using the present method. Even more recent measurements, using ultrafiltration and a micropartition filtration system has yielded a much wider range of values for c ultrafilterable Mg from normal human subjects than those of the present method (D'Costa, M. et al. Clin. Chem. 29:519, 1983; Zaloga, G.P. et al. Crit. Care Med. 15:813-816, 1987). Some of these pitfalls preclude determination of Mg 2"1" in various body fluids. Moreover, determinations can not be done on less than 1.0 ml of blood. The physiologic or pathophysiologic effects of mild to severe (or graded) decreases or increases in extracellular free Mg 2+ in whole blood, serum or plasma has not been possible to discern in human subjects or animals either rapidly (e.g., within 1-2 min) or repeatedly (multiple samples over a few minutes-hours). Since Mg is frequently used in normomagnesemic patients for its antiarrhythmic, vasomotor and neuronal actions [Altura, B.M. et al. Drugs 28(Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984; Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. 1980; Altura, B.M. et.al. In: Metal Ions in Biological Systems. 1990; Iseri C.T. et al. West J. Med. 138:823-828, 1983; Ebel, H. et al. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 21:249-265, 1983], it is vital to be able to assess the exact extracellular level of ionized Mg + at any one instant. Although there is a dire need to carefully monitor extracellular Mg 2+ in hypomagnesemic patients or patients linked to Mg deficiency states such as cardiovascular insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery spasm, those at risk for sudden death, renal disorders, respiratory muscle weakness, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, migraine, hypertension, premenstrual syndrome, tetany, seizures, tremor, apathy, depression, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, there is at present no way to do this either precisely or rapidly [Altura, B.M. et al. Drugs 28(Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984; Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. 1980; Altura, B.M. et.al. In: Metal Ions in Biological Systems. 1990; Iseri, C.T. West J. Med. 138:823-828, 1983; Ebel, H. et al. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 21:249-265, 1983;Altura, B.M. et al. Magnesium 4:226-244, 1985; Zaloga, G.P. Chest 56:257-258, 1989; Sjogren, A. J. Intern. Med. 226:213-222, 1989; Zaloga, G.P. et al. In: Problems in Critical Care, ed. G.P. Zaloga Vol 4:425-436, J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, 1990; Resnick, L.M. et al. - Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6511-6515, 1984; Rudnick, M. et al. APMIS 98:1123-1127, 1990]. In 1980, it was suggested on the basis of in-vitro experiments that drops in ionized serum Mg 2+ would produce coronary vasospasm, arrhythmias and sudden death (Turlapaty and Altura, Science 208: 198-200, 1980). Although clinical observations from other workers in the intervening years have suggested this might be a "real" possibility, up until the present invention, no evidence could be gathered due to the unavailability of a method for accurate and rapid assessment of blood ionized Mg 2+ (Altura, B.M. et al. In:Metal Ions in Biological Systems. Vol 26, 1990; Ebel, H. et al. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 21:249-265, 1983; Altura, B.M. et al. Magnesium 4:226-244, 1985; Sjogren, A. et al. J. Intern. Med. 226:213-222, 1989; Zaloga, G.P. et al. In: Problems In Critical Care Vol 4, 1990). Over the past 10 years, it has been determined that reductions in ionized Mg 2+ , experimentally in animals and isolated cerebral blood vessels, can induce intense vasospasm and rupture of blood vessels in the brain (Altura, B..M. et al. In: Metal Ions in Biological Systems Vol 26, 1990; Altura, B.T. et al.Neuroscience Letters 20:323-327, 1980; Altura, B.T. et al. Magnesium 1:277-291, 1982; Altura, B.T. et al. Magnesium 3:195-211, 1984; Altura, B.M. et al. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 1:180-193, 1983; Huang, Q-F., et al. FASEB J. 3:A845, 1989). On the basis of such experimental findings, it has been hypothesized that head trauma would be associated with deficits in serum, plasma and whole blood ionized Mg 2+ (Altura, B.T. et al. Magnesium 1:277-291, 1982; Altura, B.T. et al. Magnesium 3:195-211, 1984; Altura, B.M. et al. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 1:180-193, 1983). The present inventions has allowed these studies to be undertaken for the first time. In the 1970's and 1980's, on the basis of numerous animal experiments, it was reported that deficits in ionized Mg 2" * " would result in maintained peripheral vasospasm, constriction of small blood vessels in numerous organ regions and as a consequence development of high blood pressure or hypertension (Altura, B.M. et al. Drugs 28 (Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984; Altura, B.M. et al. In: Metal Ions in Biological Systems Vol 26, 1990; Altura, B.M. et al. Magnesium 4:226-244, 1985; Sjogren, A. et al. J. Intern. Med. 226:213-222, 1989; Turlapaty, P.D.M.V. et al. Science u 208:198-200, 1980; Altura, B.M. et al. Federation Proc. 40:2672-2679, 1981; Altura, B.M. et al., Science 221:376-378, 1983; Altura, B.M. et al. Science 223:1315-1317, 1984). Until the development of the present invention, this hypothesis was not testable because of a lack of proper methodology for processing samples and .- measuring ionized Mg 2+ . Accelerated atherosclerotic heart disease is a leading cause of death in the long-term (> 10 year) renal transplant recipient. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are common in this population and may be secondary to cyclosporine use. Cyclosporine has been associated with a renal tubular total magnesium (TMg) leak, as evidence by low serum total magnesium values and increased urinary excretion. Hypomagnesemia has been implicated as a factor in modulation of blood lipid levels, alteration of vascular tone and cyclosporine toxicity. Until the present invention, accurate measurements of biologically active ionized magnesium or ionized 15 Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 2+ ratios were not possible. Therefore, until the present invention, it was not possible to determine the ratio of ionized calcium and ionized magnesium in hypercholesterolemia and cyclosporine toxicity in renal transplant recipients. In 1981-1983, studies on isolated blood vessels from animals and 20 pregnant women, suggested that reduction in dietary intake of Mg or inability to metabolize Mg properly could result in reduction in ionized Mg 2"1" and thus in umbilical and placental vasospasm, possibly reducing oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus (Altura, B.M. et al. Federation Proc. 40:2672-2679, 1981; Altura, B.M. et al., Science 221:376-378, 1983). The end result could be, in large measure, 25 responsible for fetal growth retardation, pre-eclampsia, hypertension and convulsions, particularly in pregnant indigent women (Rudnick, M. et al. APMIS 98: 1123-1127, 1990; Altura, B.M. Science 221:376-378, 1983). Mg has been recommended as early as 1925 in this country for treatment and prevention of pregnancy-induced pre- J eclampsia, hypertension and convulsions, but a method for accurately monitoring ionized Mg 2+ rapidly and repeatedly throughout pregnancy was not available until development of the present invention. A novel method to draw, handle, process and store biological samples 5 for accurate, rapid and reproducible levels of ionized or free Mg 2+ was developed. ϋ The method of collecting and processing samples has utility in preparing biological samples for measurement of ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a novel selective ion electrode with neutral carrier based membrane. Using the methods of the present invention, an accurate normal range for ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma and , serum has been determined for the first time. It is now possible to diagnose, prognoses and treat various disease states by the method of the present invention, by monitoring fluctuations in ionized Mg 2+ concentrations. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for preparing biological samples, including collection and storage conditions, prior to testing for ionized Mg 2+ concentrations under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air and in which air and O 2 is 15 substantially excluded from the biological sample, preferably under anaerobic conditions, prior to measuring ionized Mg 2+ . Another aspect of the invention is a method for determining ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in a biological sample, collected and maintained under anaerobic 20 conditions or conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air and in which O 2 is substantially excluded from the biological sample, the Mg 2+ concentration being measured using an ion selective electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. Another aspect of the invention is a method for determining ionized 25 Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios in a biological sample, collected and maintained under anaerobic conditions or conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air and in which O 2 is substantially excluded from the biological sample, the Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations being measured using ion 30 selective electrodes with a neutral carrier based membrane. An additional aspect of the invention is a method for diagnosing or prognosing disease states such as cardiac diseases, hypertension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, diabetes, lung diseases, abnormal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, 35. head trauma, fetal growth retardation, and the like, in a patient using a method of ° determining ionized Mg 2+ concentrations or ionized Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios. A further aspect of the invention is a method of maintaining normal ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in a patient in need of such maintenance comprising administration of Mg 2 * in the form of a pharmaceutical composition or dietary c supplement. Another aspect of the invention is a method of maintaining normal ionized Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 2+ molar ratios in an individual comprising administration of an effective amount of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in the form of a pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement. Another aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement for preventing or treating magnesium deficiencies, the composition comprising as the active ingredient(s) a concentration of bioavailable magnesium or bioavailable calcium and magnesium, wherein the concentration (s) provides a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ in the body fluids, such body fluids 5 comprising whole blood, serum, plasma, cerebral spinal fluid or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These and other objects, features, and many of the attendant advantages o of the invention will be better understood upon a reading of the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 shows the plasma ionized Mg 2+ concentrations from the whole blood which was spun to pack the formed elements such as erythrocytes, and stored anaerobically for 4 hours at room temperature. It shows that whole blood can be stored for at least 4 hours if stored anaerobically without affecting the ionized Mg 2+ values as compared to an ionized Mg 2+ concentration for fresh plasma. Fig. 2 shows that freeze-thawing samples has virtually no effect on the ionized Mg 2+ values for samples stored under anaerobic conditions. In contrast, ionized Ca 2+ values decline with repeated freeze-thawing of the sample. Fig. 3 aqueous Mg 2+ vs. aqueous TMg. Correlation of ionized magnesium (Mg 2+ ) values by ion selective electrode (ISE) with total magnesium (TMg) values by atomic absorption spectroscopy taken on unbuffered aqueous solutions of MgCl 2 . Fig. 4 Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ changes in aqueous buffered solutions with changes in pH as determined by an ISE. Fig. 5 shows the correlation between serum Mg 2+ values as measured on ultrafiltrate Mg 2+ by atomic absorption vs. ionized Mg 2+ values determined by an c ISE. There was a correlation of R = 0.88. Fig. 6 Mg 2+ (IMg 2+ ) and TMg in three patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Img 2+ and TMg were followed in three cardiac patients perioperatively. For each patient, two samples were obtained prior to the addition of cardioplegia (circled). The first samples obtained following the addition of cardioplegia (which contained magnesium salt) demonstrated large increases in both the Mg 24" and the TMg values (arrows left to right). As surgery progressed, both values decreased in each patient as indicated by the arrows drawn right to left. The xy line is that seen in Figure 3: y=0.71 x +0.01. The average IMg 2+ /TMg ratio followed by the range of ratios for 15 each patient were as follows: filled circles, 0.87 (0.78-1.01); Xs, 0.80 (0 , .66-0.93); filled squares, 0.57 (0.31-0.72). DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION o The present invention relates to a method for preparing biological samples, including collection and storage conditions, prior to testing for ionized Mg 2+ concentrations which allow accurate and reproducible readings. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of collecting and maintaining biological samples under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between atmospheric air and the biological sample, preferably in which O 2 is substantially excluded and pCO 2 levels are maintained in the biological sample prior to measuring ionized Mg 24" . The preferred embodiment is a method for preparing and storing biological samples under anaerobic conditions. n The biological sample to be tested for ionized Mg 2+ is preferably a fluid or a sample that can be made fluid including but not limited to whole blood, plasma, serum, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, cerebral spinal fluid, urine, gastric secretions, lacrimal secretions, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid and the like obtained from animals, preferably mammals, most preferably humans. The fluid portion of ° biological tissue samples may be tested after homogenation with a tissue homogenizer or the like if collected and maintained under conditions described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the biological sample is whole blood, plasma, serum, cerebral spinal fluid, umbilical cord blood, and amniotic fluid. ,. Another aspect of the invention is a method for determining ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in a biological sample, collected and maintained under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, preferably in which O 2 is substantially excluded and pCO 2 levels are substantially maintained in the biological sample prior to measuring ionized Mg 2"1" , most preferably under anaerobic conditions. In one embodiment, the ionized Mg 24" concentration is measured using an ion selective electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the ionized Mg 2+ concentration is obtained through the use of an ion selective electrode manufactured by Nova Biomedical. Another aspect of the invention is a method for determining ionized Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios in a biological sample, collected and maintained under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, preferably in which O 2 is substantially excluded and pCO 2 levels are substantially maintained in the biological sample prior to measuring ionized Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , most preferably under anaerobic conditions. In one embodiment, the ionized Ca 24" and Mg 2+ concentrations are measured using ion selective electrodes with a neutral carrier based membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the ionized Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations are obtained through the use of an ion selective electrode manufactured by Nova Biomedical. Ion selective electrodes based on neutral carrier membranes and the methods of their use are known in the art and are widely used as integrated devices in clinical chemistry analyzers. With their availability, a selective determination of different ions in dilute samples as well as whole blood is possible (Oesch, U. et al. Clin. Chem 32(8): 1448, 1988). Neutral carrier based membranes selective for specific ions are known in the art as described by Dinten, O. et al. (Anal. Chem. 63:596-603, 1991), which is incorporated by reference. As examples, membranes composed of N,N'-diheptyl-N,N'-dimethyl-l,4-butanediamide (C 2 oH 40 N 2 O 2 ) (ETH - 1117), N,N'-diheptyl-N,N'-dimethyl-aspartdiamide (C 20 N 41 N 3 O 2 ) (ETH 2220), N,N' '- octamethylenebis(N'-heptyl-N'-methyl-2-methylmalondiamide) (C 32 H 62 N 4 O 4 ) (ETH 5214), N,N"-octamethylenebis(N',N'-dioctylmalondiamide) (ETH 5220), N',N",N"- (ETH 5282) and the like are known neutral carriers selective for Mg + . Some examples of neutral carriers selective for Ca + are (-)-(R,R)-N,N'-[bis(l l-ethoxycarbonyl)undecyl]- N,N', 4,5-tetramethyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide(C 38 H 72 N 2 O g ) (ETH 1001), N,N,N',N'- tetracyclohexyl-3-oxapentanediamide (C 2g H 4g N 2 O g ) (ETH 129), N,N-dicyclohexyl- N'jN'-dioctadecylθ-oxapentanediamide (ETH 5234) and the like. However, until the present invention, ion selective electrodes for determining ionized magnesium concentrations were not known in the art. The methods for determining total magnesium, ionized Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations as measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy on an ultrafiltrate 15 are known in the art as described by Walser, M. (J. Clin. Invest. 40:723-730, 1961), " D'Costa, M. (Clin. Chem. 29:519, 1983), and Zaloga, G.P. et al. (Crit. Care Med. 15:813-816, 1987), which are incorporated by reference. Another aspect of the invention is a method for diagnosing or o prognosing disease states or conditions associated with Mg imbalances, Mg deficiencies, or Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ imbalances using a method of determining ionized Mg + or ionized Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios in a biological sample, collected and maintained under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, preferably in which O 2 is substantially excluded and pCO 2 levels 5 are substantially maintained in the biological sample prior to measuring ionized Ca 24" and Mg + , most preferably under anaerobic conditions. Such disease states include but are not limited to cardiac diseases, cardiovascular insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery spasm, those at risk for sudden death, renal disorders, 0 lung diseases, respiratory muscle weakness, abnormal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, fetal growth retardation, migraine, hypertension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, diabetes, head trauma, premenstrual syndrome, tetany, seizures, tremor, apathy, depression, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. The Mg 2+ values of the patient 5 are compared to normal ionized Mg 2+ values for biological samples. In one υ embodiment, the normal ionized Mg 2+ concentration in a normal adult is approximately 0.53 to 0.67 mM, most preferably about 0.58-0.60 mM for the biological sample of whole blood, serum, and plasma. In another embodiment, the normal ionized Mg 2+ concentration is approximately 1.10-1.23 more preferably 1.12- _ 1.19 mM for the biological sample of cerebral spinal fluid. A further aspect of the invention is a method of maintaining normal ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in a patient in need of such maintenance by administering ionized Mg 2+ in a concentration sufficient to maintain levels of ionized Mg 2+ in biological samples within a normal range of ionized Mg 2+ . In one embodiment, the normal ionized Mg + concentration in a normal adult is approximately 0.53 to 0.67 mM, most preferably about 0.58-0.60 mM for the biological sample of whole blood, serum, and plasma. In another embodiment, the normal ionized Mg 2+ concentration is approximately 1.10-1.23 more preferably 1.12-1.19 mM for the biological sample 5 of cerebral spinal fluid. Another aspect of the invention is a method to attain or maintain normal ionized Mg 2+ or Ca + and ionized Mg 2+ concentrations, in a patient in need of such maintenance by administering Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in a concentration sufficient to maintain a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 2+ o in the blood of about 1:1 to 2.5:1, more preferably about 1.5:1, and most preferably about 2: 1, or to maintain a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 24" in the cerebral spinal fluid of about 0.90:1 to about 1.15: 1, more preferably 0.92:1 to about 1.1:1, most preferably about 1:1. Another aspect of the invention is a method to attain or maintain normal ionized Mg 2+ or normal ionized Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations in a neonate, infant, and child in need of such maintenance by administering Mg 2"1" alone or in combination with Ca + in a concentration sufficient to maintain a normal physiological molar ratio ionized Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 2+ in the blood of about 1.9: 1 to about 2.6: 1, more preferably about 2.3: 1 to about 2.5: 1. An additional aspect of the invention is a composition for use in preventing or treating magnesium imbalances, magnesium deficiencies or Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ imbalances, the composition is composed of bioavailable magnesium alone or in combination with bioavailable calcium in an effective concentration. The ° concentration of calcium and magnesium is a concentration that provides to an individual a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized calcium to ionized magnesium in the blood of about 1:1 to 2.5:1, more preferably about 1.5:1, and most preferably about 2:1, or to maintain a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 2+ in the cerebral spinal fluid of about 0.90:1 to about 1.15:1, more preferably 0.92:1 to about 1.1:1, most preferably about 1: 1. In another embodiment the concentration of calcium and magnesium is a concentration that provides to a neonate, infant and child a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized calcium to ionized magnesium in the blood of about 1.9:1 to about 2.6:1, more preferably about 2.3:1 to about 2.5: 1. The composition is useful in treating individuals with the following disease states such as cardiac diseases, hypertension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, diabetes, lung diseases, abnormal pregnancy, preeclampsia, eclampsia, head trauma, fetal growth retardation or other diseases associated with magnesium deficiencies or an imbalance of ionized Ca 2+ /ionized Mg 2+ ratios in the whole blood, plasma, serum, cerebral spinal fluid or the like. The use of the composition is not limited to individuals with the aforementioned diseases but may also be used in healthy individual for maintaining proper ionized magnesium or ionized calcium/ionized magnesium concentrations. Such maintenance is useful in preventing magnesium imbalances, Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ imbalances, or magnesium deficiencies and in turn is useful in preventing magnesium- associated disease states. The composition may be taken alone as a therapeutic agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable earner or a mineral supplement, or the composition may be added to supplement other ingredients such as, but not limited to, vitamin formulations, vitamin and mineral formulations, and foodstuffs. Such food stuffs include solids and liquids. In one embodiment the composition is added to infant formulas. EXAMPLE I SAMPLE COLLECTION . In order to obtain precise and reproducible determinations of ionized ° Mg 2+ with the ISE, blood samples were collected under conditions that minimize or prevent exchange of atmospheric gases with those of the sample, most preferably under anaerobic conditions into a tube with the air evacuated, such as a Vacutainer™ tube, or other tube or syringe substantially free of atmospheric gases, especially O 2 . The tube or syringe may contain heparin ( < 75 u/ml, more preferably < 50/ml, most preferably < 20 u/ml). After collection of the biological sample, the samples are placed in and kept under conditions that minimize or prevent exchange of atmospheric gases with those of the sample, most preferably under anaerobic conditions (Fig. 1). 0 EXAMPLE π SAMPLE PROCESSING To process clotted blood or plasma (heparinized blood), the samples were maintained under conditions that minimize or prevent exchange of gases between 5 atmospheric air and the biological sample, preferably anaerobic conditions in tubes sealed with rubber stoppers. Parafilm or plastic and glass tops cannot be utilized as this allows for air to enter the sample. If samples (i.e.. whole blood, serum or plasma) were analyzed (or frozen) more than 30 min after blood draw for processing o of serum or plasma, the sealed tubes were placed in a standard clinical or laboratory centrifuge and centrifuged at 3,000 - 4,000 rpm for 15-20 minutes. After this time, the sera or plasma was carefully removed from the packed cells by inserting a sterilized needle attached to either a plastic syringe (for sera) or a lightly heparinized ( < 75 u/ml, more preferably < 50 u/ml, most preferably < 20u/ml) glass syringe (for plasma) or a similar device. EXAMPLE m SAMPLE STORAGE The anaerobically maintained samples were either processed with the ISE within six hours or the plasma or serum carefully expelled into a tube with the air evacuated or other tube or syringe substantially free of atmospheric air, especially O 2 , most preferably anaerobic, with or without heparin, and frozen at -10°C. Unlike ionized Ca 24" , ionized Mg 2+ levels were stable during numerous subsequent freeze- ϋ thaw procedures, provided the bloods were drawn and processed under anaerobic conditions as described above (see Figure 2, Table 1). Under conditions where parafilm coverings were used, pH and pCO 2 changes occurred causing erratic and erroneous ionized Mg 2+ values. 10 pH Mg 2+ (mM) 5 Using the method of the present invention, plasma and serum samples were frozen for up to two weeks at -10°C without affecting the ionized Mg 24" values. n Whole blood samples were maintained under anaerobic conditions at room temperature for up to six hours after blood draws prior to ionized Mg 2-1" determinations. These and other experiments clearly indicated that as the biological samples such as blood, sera or plasma became exposed to air, they loose CO 2 , and as a consequence the pH became alkaline. This adversely affected the ionized free Mg 24" values resulting in 5 erroneous readings. This is completely obviated with proper handling as describe for this invention. EXAMPLE IV ° SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR PRECISION, SPECIFICITY AND INTERFERANT STUDDXS Male and female subjects that had no electrolyte abnormalities, ages ranging from 19-83 years, were used for the reference range study. Whole blood and plasma samples were collected using a needle attached ° to heparinized Vacutainer tubes; serum from-red top Vacutainer tubes. All blood samples were collected and maintained under anaerobic conditions and processed within 1-2 hours of collection. Ultrafilterable Mg was obtained using an Amicon micropartition system (3,000 MW cutoff) after centrifugation of the plasma or serum 5 at 1,500 to 2,000 RCF (g) for 20 minutes. A 3,000 MW cutoff was utilized in order to retain small molecular wt peptides. However, when normal sera from six volunteers were processed using a 30,000 MW cutoff virtually identical results were obtained. Precision (within run, day-to-day) was determined on three levels of aqueous control solutions obtained from NOVA Biomedical containing 115, 135 and 155 mM Na + ; 2.0, 3.75, and 5.75 mM K + ; 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50 mM Ca 2+ ; and 0.30, 0.50, and 1.00 mM Mg 2+ at pH values of 7.15, 7.35, and 7.58, respectively. Aqueous solutions of MgCl 2 were examined for the linearity study and 5 aqueous solutions of various cations (Ca 2+ , K + , Na + , H + , NH 4 + , Fe 3+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg + , and Pb 2+ ) were examined over pathophysiologic concentration ranges for potential interference to the new Mg 2+ electrode. The concentrations of potentially interfering cations were chosen based on the following observations: the upper limit o of the reference range (ULRR) for NH,* is < 100 μM; the toxic range for Cd 2+ has been listed up to 27 μM; concentrations for Ca 2+ rarely exceed 2.0 mM; the ULRR for Cu 2+ is <30 M; for Fe 2+ <50 μM; for Pb 2+ <2 M; for Hg 2 * <0.25 μM; and for Zn 24" 23 μM. K + above 10 mM and Na 4" above 175 mM are rarely seen in plasma. Ligand binding studies were also carried out in aqueous solutions containing 5 pathophysiological concentrations of heparin, lactate, acetate, phosphate, bicarbonate and sulfate. Albumin/pH studies employed bovine serum albumin (Sigma Chem. Co., St. Louis, MO) that was treated with an anion-exchange resin (Exchange Resin ^ AG50W-48, Bio-Rad Richmond, CA) resulting in a solution that had 6g albumin/dl and unmeasurable TMg (<0.04 mM, as assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry). This solution was lyophilized followed by gravimetric addition of lyophylate to aliquots of an aqueous solution containing a fixed amount of Mg. 5 Spiking experiments with plasma (pH 7.6-7.7) and whole blood (pH ° 7.40-7.44) were also performed with addition of various concentrations of mostly MgCl 2 and some with MgSO 4 • 7H 2 O (Biological Grades, ACS certified, Fisher Scientific, New Jersey) at room temperature. Electrode analyses for IMg 2+ results were performed immediately after being well-mixed, and after 5 and 10 min; results were identical at all three time intervals. All chemicals used to make up the aqueous solutions were of high purity (biological, ACS certified grades) and obtained form Fisher Scientific Co. , and Sigma Chemical Co. For most aqueous solutions, a 5 mM HEPES buffered-physiologic salt solution (in Mm/L) (120-140 NaCl; 4-5 KCl; 1 CaCl 2 ) was used. In some cases, due to increased acidity, caused by certain ligands, 10 mM HEPES was added to the latter instead of 5 mM HEPES. In the case of the pH studies, modified KREBS-Ringer bicarbonate buffered physiological salt solutions were used (in mM/L) (118 mM NaCl; 5 4.7 KCl; 1.2 KH 2 PO 4 ; 1.0 CaCl 2 ; 25 NaHCO 3 ) gassed with a 5% CO 2 -95% O 2 mixture. A NOVA Stat Profile 8 (SP8) Analyzer (NOVA Biomedical, Waltham, MA) containing the specially-designed Mg 2+ electrode along with electrodes for Ca 24" , o Na + , K + , and pH, and, where appropriate, hematocrit, was used for these studies. The electrode is calibrated by using two aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of MgCl 2 in the presence of known pH and concentrations of Na 4" , K + , and Ca 24" . The values assigned to these solutions are determined gravimetrically. The electrical signal from the Mg 2+ electrode is mathematically adjusted by the signal from the Ca 2+ electrode to provide the resulting Mg 2+ concentration. All electrode measurements can be made on a 250 μl sample (whole blood, plasma or serum) within 90-120 seconds. The SP8 is equipped with its own on-board calibrators. Total magnesium values are obtained on a Perkin-Elmer Model Zeeman 5000 atomic absorption spectre-photometer (AAS), utilizing 1 % LaCl 3 (Fisher Scientific) to prevent any interferences. Data were evaluated for statistical significance using means + . S.E.M. , unpaired t-tests, ANOVA, method of least squares for regression analyses and ° correlation coefficients, where appropriate. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. EXAMPLE V DETERMINATION OF MAGNESIUM IN AQUEOUS 5 SOLUTIONS: ISE COMPARISON TO ATOMIC ABSORPTION Figure 3 illustrates that the Mg 2+ electrode quantifies Mg comparably to atomic absorption spectroscopy in aqueous solution. In the absence of binding ligands, it would be predicted that the values from the two technologies would be identical. Results from these measurements were linear over the entire 0.1 to 3.0 mM Mg 2+ range studied. EXAMPLE VI 5 PRECISION AND REPRODUCD3ILπΥ Using the ISE on three levels of aqueous Mg 2+ controls, mean values over a range of 0.3 to 1.0 mM are within 94.6 and 99.2% of their targets. The linearity of the ISE (0.1-3.0 mM) in aqueous solution and human plasma and serum o ranges between 92.0 and 99.3%. EXAMPLE Vπ EFFECTS OF ALBUMIN AND pH ON MEASURED IMg 2+ LEVELS The effect of protein on measured IMg 2+ levels were strongly affected 5 by the pH of the medium. Results in Table 2 show that, in unbuffered solutions, addition of albumin up to a final concentration of 150 g/1 produces a moderate decline in measured IMg 2+ values. The observed decline in pH of the medium upon addition of albumin is expected since the protein has a acidic isoelectric point. If, however, the pH of the solution is carefully alkalinized by addition of NaOH, measured IMg 2 * values decline by up to 75%, indicating that the exposure of anionic groups on albumin promotes the binding of Mg 2+ . To differentiate a possible direct effect on pH on the performance of the electrode, measurements over a similar range of pH values (buffered by phosphate and/or bicarbonate) were performed in the absence of albumin. Results in Figure 4 show that IMg 2+ measurements are minimally affected over the pH range examined (6.2 to 8.5). Only at the lower pH values were measurements of IMg 24" levels affected (10-20%). These studies, thus, show that over the pH ranges examined, pH per se does not significantly influence the measured JJMg 2+ values. H + clearly affects ICa 2+ much more than IMg 2+ , causing an apparent 140% decrease in ICa 2+ over the pH range of 6.3 to 8.3. This is likely due to the precipitation of calcium compounds. EXAMPLE Vm EFFECTS OF COMMON CATIONS AND HEAVY METAL IONS ON IMg 2 * VALUES Virtually no interference was noted from pathophysiologic concentrations of any of the cations added to an aqueous solution containing Mg 2+ with the possible exception of Zn 2+ (Table 3). Adding calcium salts to serum caused an increased in the IMg 2+ (-0.1 mM Mg 2+ for a 1.0 mM increase in Ca 2+ ), but a much smaller increase was seen when calcium was added to an aqueous solution containing Mg 2+ (-0.01-0.04 mM Mg + for a 1.77 mM increase of Ca 2+ ). The change in plasma IMg 2"1" is likely the result of added Ca 2+ competing for binding sites held by Mg 2+ in the plasma. The concentration of NH 4 + and heavy metal ions represent the upper limit of their reference range, except for Cd 2+ , whose concentration was toxic. Values are means + S.E.M. EXAMPLE IX SMALL LIGAND BINDING TO Mg 2 * It appears that plasma samples having a heparin concentration of 20 units/ml or less will produce less than a 4% error for the IMg 2" * " deteπ ination (Table 4). Several small ligands (e.g., acetate, bicarbonate, citrate, lactate, phosphate, sulfate), on the other hand, may bind significant amounts of Mg 2 *, suggesting that the IMg 2+ /TMg ratio could vary within a patient over time, in an acute-care setting depending on the solutions the patient is receiving. EXAMPLE X REFERENCE RANGES Assessment of ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma and serum with the ISE indicate that ionized Mg 24- is held within an extremely narrow range (0.53 - 0.67 mM, mean = 0.58 ± 0.0065, n = 60) when compared to total Mg (0.70 - 0.96 mM, mean = 0.81 mM ± 0.0084) or ionized Ca 2+ (1.09 - 1.30 mM). This narrow range for ionized Mg 2+ has not previously been reported. These data were derived from approximately 60 normal healthy human subjects. The IMg 2+ /TMg ratio in this group ranged from 61-85% with a mean of 71.6 _+ 0.58%. The mean value for ionized Mg 2+ is approximately one-half of what it is for ionized Ca 2+ and thus, represents a ICa 2+ /IMg 2+ ratio in human blood (plasma or serum) of about 2.0. Such a narrow range for ionized Mg 2+ obtained with the ISE suggested that slight changes in the normal ionized Mg 2+ range could be diagnostic and prognostic for numerous pathophysiologic states and disease conditions in animals and human subjects (Altura et al. Clinical Res., in press; Handwerker, S. et al. Magnesium and Trace Elements, in press; Altura et al. Magnesium and Trace Elements, in press). EXAMPLE XI COMPARISON OF Mg LEVELS IN WHOLE BLOOD, PLASMA, SERUM AND THEIR ULTRAFTLTRATES A comparison of the measured levels of TMg and IMg 2+ in whole blood, plasma and serum are shown in Table 5. All values shown are based on analysis of samples collected from healthy volunteers, with the exception of serum samples having an n value of 237, which included samples collected from patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The highest correlation obtained (0.93) was for comparisons of IMg 2+ in plasma and serum samples. Interestingly, a significantly (p=0.02) lower 0 correlation (r=0.79) was observed when a similar comparison was made between IMg 2+ levels in plasma vs. whole blood. The greater variance observed may suggest that a slight redistribution of bound Mg 2" * " occurs upon removal of formed blood elements. The lower values of r, seen for comparisons of TMg to IMg 2+ in serum 5 and plasma samples indicates that a range of IMG 2" * " values exist for a given level of TMg. This is clearly seen in Figure 5 which is a plot of serum TMg vs. IMg 2"1" values shown in Table 5. A greater range of IMg 24" values are seen in this plot, as many of the samples were from patients in whom cardioplegia was induced using o Mg 2+ -supplemented solutions. Results of measurements of IMg 2"1" and TMg performed on ultrafiltrates of serum and plasma and neat-samples are shown in Table 6. Φlasma samples are collected from healthy volunteers, whereas serum samples also included ones from the cardiac patients. A comparison of mean values for TMg demonstrates that plasma and ° serum protein-free filtrates have TMg levels of 65% (0.55/0.84 x 100) and 71 % (0.66/0.93 x 100), respectively, of these measured in the neat-samples. These values are similar to IMg 2+ levels measured in the neat-samples. Subsequent measurements on ultrafiltrates with the ISE, however, yielded values that were only 79% (0.45/0.57 x 100) and 85% (0.64/0.75 x 100) respectively, of the filtered TMg levels in these samples. These lower levels indicate that low molecular weight compounds are present which can chelate Mg 2+ , rendering this fraction insensitive to the ISE. The size of this fraction, however, is likely somewhat overestimated by these measurements as the pH of the ultrafiltrates was always greater than the starting pH value of the unfiltered samples by 0.6-1.1 units, thereby reducing competition between H + and Mg 2+ for binding to these agents. uPTMg = ultrafilterable plasma total Mg uSTMg = ultrafilterable serum total Mg uPMg 2 * = ultrafilterable plasma Mg 2 * assessed with ISE uSMg2+ = ultrafilterable serum Mg 2"1" assessed with ISE The increase in scatter between TMg 2+ and IMg 2+ going from Figure 3 (aqueous solutions) to Figure 5 (patients samples) results from differences in Mg binding to ligands and proteins from sample to sample. However, the ratio of IMg 2+ /TMg was remarkably similar, averaged across 74 plasma samples and across 237 serum samples; 71 % in both cases (Table 5) even though the IMg 2+ /TMg ratio u for individual patients different significantly from the average. This suggests that 29% of the TMg was typically bound to small anions and/or proteins in the "normal" and the CPB patient populations included in this study. These results suggest less binding of Mg to protein then has been described in the literature; 33-34% protein-bound by Speich et al. (Clin. Chem. 1981.27:246-248) and 32% protein-bound by Kroll et al. (Clin. Chem. 1985.31:244-246). The present ultrafiltration studies raise questions in terms of what Mg fraction(s), or portions thereof, the ultrafϊltrate actually represents. It has long been thought that the ultrafiltrate is really the plasma (or serum) minus only large molecular weight proteins with their bound Mg (Aikawa, J.K., Magnesium. Its Biological Significance Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1981; Walser, M. 1967. Rev. Physiol. Biochem. Exp. Pharmacol 59:185-341; Elin, R.J. Clin. Chem. 1987.33:1965-1970). However, it is likely that the pH increase (from 0.6-1.1 pH units) over the course of 5 the ultrafiltration process, itself, caused additional protein binding of Mg 2+ . Such increased binding is supported by the fact that IMg 2+ measured values were reduced by alkalinizing protein-containing solutions of Mg 24" to higher pH values. Thus, at the lower H + concentrations, the total concentration of Mg in the ultrafiltrate is less than o i would have been at pH 7.4. In addition, it is clear that not all the Mg in the ultrafiltrates is ionized. Twenty-one percent of the plasma ultrafiltrate Mg is bound [(0.57 - 0.45)/0.57 x 100)]. The percentage of Mg 2+ bound to ligands and protein may remain remarkably constant for a given patient, albeit far from the typical ratio seen across all patients, even when TMg is changing markedly such as in coronary bypass patients; or the percentage bound may change appreciably within hours. The total Mg concentration or the ultrafilterable Mg concentration in a given sample thus cannot be used to predict the level of ionized Mg 2+ in the plasma or serum. This clearly indicates that monitoring the ionized Mg 2+ level rather than total magnesium or the ultrafilterable Mg concentration is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic parameter in critical care and acute medial care settings. EXAMPLE XH SPIKING Mg INTO PLASMA AND WHOLE BLOOD SAMPLES Results in Table 7 demonstrate the effect of adding Mg 2 * (Cl ~ or SO 4 2- salt) to samples of plasma and whole blood. As expected, for plasma samples, the c calculated recovery values are less than 100% indicating that added Mg 2+ is partially bound to plasma proteins. The values reported have not been corrected for displacement of plasma water by protein and lipids. The observation that the fraction of recovered Mg 2+ increases slightly with additional amounts of added Mg 2+ indicates that partial saturation of anion binding sites is likely occurring. For experiments with whole blood, a fixed amount of Mg 2+ was added (1.0 mM). The recovery levels observed with whole blood were considerably higher than would be predicted by calculating molarity based on whole blood value. This is attributed to the fact that the added magnesium salt initially dissolves in the plasma water volume of the sample 5 rather than being evenly distributed throughout the entire sample. The large differences seen in the spiked samples may reflect differences in hematocrit or possibly the time between Mg 2+ addition and when the sample was analyzed. In addition, differences may also exist been samples in the binding capacity by plasma o proteins and solutes. Table 7: Spiking of MgCl 2 or MgSO. into Pooled Plasma and Fresh Whole Blood Fresh Whole Blood 5 1.57+0.017 2.20+0.154 163.0 N = 3-6 experiments each * + Results are means + S.E.M. EXAMPLE Xm COMPARING IM 2 * TO TMg IN CPB PATIENTS Results shown in Figure 6 are subset of data from Figure 5 which showed that the level of TMg in a given sample cannot be used to predict IMg 24" . c Results plotted in Figure 6 are TMg and IMg 24" values for several samples from each of three patients over the course of their cardiac surgeries. The first two samples from each patient, taken before cardioplegia containing Mg 2+ was administered, had values near the regression line taken from the data in Figure 6. Following induction of cardioplegia, levels of TMg and IMg 24" increase significantly (arrows left to right) while subsequent samples demonstrated a gradual decrease m both parameters (arrows to the left). These results show that not only did the ratio of IMg 2+ /TMg differ between three patients, but it remained relatively constant within a patient during the course of the perioperative period. In other patients, the IMg 2+ /TMg ratio changed significantly during this period. EXAMPLE XIV CELLULAR AND EXTRACELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF MG Having the information on the precise concentrations of extracellular ionized Mg in human blood allows one to determine the cellular and extracellular distribution of Mg. Using 31 P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and digital image analysis on cardiac myocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and intact brain, the intracellular free ionized Mg 2+ was determined to be approximately 600-700 micromolar (Altura, B.M. et al. Influence of Mg 2+ on Distribution of Ionized Ca 24" in Vascular Smooth Muscle and on Cellular Bioenergetics and Intracellular Free Mg 24" and pH in Perfused Hearts Probed by Digital Imaging Microscopy. In: Imaging Technique in Alcohol Research, S. Zhakari, H. Witt (Eds.), NIAAA; Wash., D.C. Gov't Printing Office, 1992; Altura, B.M. et al. Magn. Reson. Imaging. 1992, in press; Barbour, et al. FASEB J. 1989, 3: A250; Barbour, et al. Magnesium and Trace Elem.. 1992, in press; Zhang, A. et al. Biochem. Biophys. Acta Mol. Cell Res. 1992, in press). Concentrations of ionized Mg 2 * across mammalian cell membranes were quite similar, that is about 500-600 micromolar. Although the relative concentration ° of IMg 2 * outside cells is about 71 % of the total extracellular Mg, the relative amount of intracellular free ionized Mg is much less, only about 3% -6%. EXAMPLE XV 5 DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE It has been suggested that abnormalities in Mg metabolism may play an important role in the etiology of cardiac diseases (Altura, B.M. Drugs 28 (Suppl.I): 120-142, 1984; Altura, B.M. et al. In: Metal Ions in Biological Systems Vol 26, 1990; Iseri, C.T. West. J. Med. 138:823-828, 1983; Ebel, H. et al. J. Clin. 0 Chem. Clin. Biochem. 21:249-265, 1983; Altura, B.M. et al. Magnesium 4:226- 244, 1985; Sjogren, A. et al. J. Intern Med. 226:213-222, 1989; Zaloga, G.P. et al. In:Problems in Critical Care Vol 4, 1990; Rudnick, M. et al. APMIS 98:1123-1127, 1990). Although elevated extracellular Mg 2+ is widely used in connection with 5 cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures, it is not known whether such procedures result in rapid and sequential alterations in blood ionized Mg 2 * levels. By using the methods of the present invention, ionized Mg 2 *, along with ionized Ca 2 * levels in plasma were monitored in patients prior to, during, and after CPB. The patients o studies ranged in age from 10-80 yrs. and were scheduled for coronary bypass, valve replacement or other elective open-heart procedures (OHP). On the basis of studies with 30 human subjects prior to and during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), subjects had lower than normal ionized Mg 2 * prior to surgery (Altura, B.T. et al. Clin. Chem. (M-Aug), 1991; Altura, B.T. et al. Clin. Res., in press; Altura, B.T. et al. Magnesium and Trace Elements, in press). Assessment of ionized Mg 2 * in plasma revealed the following [means + S.E.M. in millimolar cone. (mM)] : prior to OHP = 0.56 ± 0.03 vs. 0.60 ± 0.005 (control); within 10-15 minutes of CPB = 0.89 ± 0.08; post perfusion = 0.75 ± 0.03. In addition, on the basis of frequent determinations during CPB, using an ion selective electrode the degree of spontaneous hypotension, arrhythmias, and coronary vasospasm during and post-surgery were correlated to the pronounced alterations in ionized Ca 2 *:ionized Mg 2 * ratios. (Altura, B.T. et al. Clin. Res., in press; Altura, B.T. et al. Magnesium and Trace Elements, in press). With respect to ionized Ca 2 *, the respective values were 0.96 + 0.016 vs. ° 1.21 ± 0.01; 0.79 ± 0.02; and 1.23 ± 0.10. Although the normal ionized Ca 2 *:ionized Mg 2 * ratio is 1.95-2.18, all patients studied prior to CPB exhibited lower values (mean = 1.72 ± 0.09). Within 10-15 minutes of initial CPB, the ionized Ca 2 *:ionized Mg 2 * ratio fell almost 50% (mean = 0.91 ± 0.10); post-perfusion, the c ratio rose to 1.62 ± 0.18. Overall, these data indicate that ionized Mg 2 * concentrations can be monitored in plasma during CPB. Predictable patterns arose out of these studies, showing that cardiac disease patients tend to exhibit lower than normal ionized Mg 2 *, ionized Ca 2 * and ionized Ca 2 *:ionized Mg 2 * ratios. Additionally, the hypotension observed upon initiation of CPB may in part be a reflection of elevated ionized Mg 2 * and a pronounced drop in the ionized Ca *:ionized Mg 2 * ratio. Such patterns are therefore diagnostic and predictive, thus allowing the physician and surgeon to carefully monitor and treat such cardiac patients. 5 EXAMPLE XVI DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS IN HEAD TRAUMA The present studies were undertaken to determine if head trauma was associated with deficits in serum, plasma and whole blood ionized Mg 2 * and to o determine if the degree of head injury would correlate with the degree of the plasma ionized Mg2+ deficiency. Head trauma patients clearly demonstrated that head trauma and the degree of head trauma was associated with deficiencies in ionized Mg 2 *. The range of ionized Mg 2 * in plasma of these head trauma cases was significantly below normal; the greater the degree of head trauma (as assessed by clinical signs and Glasgow scores), the greater the deficit in ionized Mg 2 *. Sixty-six patients (male=44; females=22), presented in the emergency room of a large community hospital; ranging in age from 12-83 yrs., were studied. Patients with blunt head trauma were studied within 1-8 hrs of the event and compared with 60 age-matched controls and 14 patient controls with minor peripheral trauma such as cuts and sprains. A group of normal, healthy age-matched human volunteers were also employed in the study. Motor vehicle accidents (n=43) accounted for 65 % of the cases, assaults (n= 19) 29 % , and falls (n=4) 6% of the cases. Brain injury was the sole medical problem in 59 of the patients, while associated skull fractures were ° present in seven cases. Criteria for exclusion included: 1. severe renal damage; 2. multiple peripheral injuries; 3. cardiopulmonary problems; 4. hypertension; and 5. diabetes. In addition, patients on low dietary magnesium intake and on certain drugs causing hypomagnesemia such as diuretics, antibiotics, digitalis, etc. were excluded. Patients with known histories of alcohol abuse (n=6) and drug abuse (i.e.. cocaine, n=2) were included because they were of interest. Three patients had blood alcohol levels > 200 mg/dl. Bloods were drawn by venipuncture for routine serum laboratory chemistries (e.g. electrolytes, glucose, BUN, blood gases, creatinine) in most grade II subjects and all grade II subjects as well as healthy control subjects and processed by automated analyzers. In addition, blood was drawn (anaerobically) for IMg 2 *, TMg and ICa 2 * by venipuncture using standard red-top Vacutainer tubes. The latter was centrifuged (3000-4000 pm) for 10-15 min after clotting and processed with a 15 novel ion selective electrode (ISE) for IMg 2 * using a NOVA Biomedical Stat Profile 8 Analyzer which can yield measurements within 2 min. Total Mg was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using a Perkin-Elmer Model Zeeman 500 and a Kodak Ektachem DT-60. The mean values using either technique were identical. ? 0 In solution, sera of these patients were also processed for levels of ionized calcium (ICa 2 *), sodium, potassium and hydrogen ions using selective electrodes. In order to maintain normal pH, precautions were taken to maintain the samples anaerobically. Precautions were also taken to prevent hemolysis, and most blood samples were analyzed the same day. In some cases, the latter was not possible, and in these cases 5 the fresh anaerobically-drawn sera were frozen at -10°C and were analyzed the next. day. Fifteen patients were administered IV fluids ( < 1000 ml) when blood was drawn. Similar control infusions were given to some patients in order to 0 determine if this degree of hemodilution, per se, had any significant influence on the observed ionized hypomagnesemia. All patients underwent complete neurological examinations and CT scans, except a few (n=3) without loss of consciousness (LOC) who did not have CT 5 scans. The patients were divided into three groups and graded according to severity ° of HT: grade I (n=8) had no LOC; grade II (n=52) had concussions, sudden brief traumatic disturbance of brain function including LOC but without demonstrable anatomic lesion of brain on CT scan; and grade III (n=6) had sudden traumatic disturbance of brain function associated with identifiable CT lesion of brain tissue. r Mean values were calculated for serum IMg 2 *, total Mg (TMg), ICa 2 *, ICA 2 */IMg 2 * and percent ionized Mg (IMg */TMg x 100). Mean values ± S.E.M. were compared for statistical significance using Students "t" test, paired t test and ANOVA with Scheffes' contrast test, where appropriate. Correlation coefficients, where appropriate, were also calculated using the method of least squares. A "P" value <0.05 was considered significant. The studies showed that acute head trauma is associated with early deficits in IMg 2 *, which are related to the severity of the injury (Table 8). However, TMg values were not significantly different between grade I, grade II or grade II HT, w en compared to normal, healthy human subjects or patient controls (data not shown, identical to healthy, human subjects). Severe head trauma (grade III) resulted in significant depression of IMg 2 *. The ionized fraction of magnesium in serum of head trauma patients demonstrate a progressive loss consonant with the severity of the head trauma (Table 8). Administration of IV fluids (1000 ml) did not significantly alter either the IMg 2 * or % IMg 2 * in the HT patients. Table 8: Serum Ionized, Total and Percent Ionized Magnesium After Head Trauma DEGREE OF HEADTRAUMA PARAMETERS CONTROLS GRADEI GRADEII GRADEIII IMg 2+ (mM/L)* 0.585 ± 0.005 0.55 ± 0.007** 0.49 ± 0.014** 0.44 ± 0.03** (60) + (8) (52) (6) * IMg 2+ = ionized magnesium; TMg = total magnesium; % IMg 2+ = % ionized serum Mg + Number of subjects. Patients control values were virtually identical to healthy volunteers. ** Significantly different from controls and all other values (P<0.01). + + Significantly different from controls (P0.01). *** Significantly different from controls and grade I HT (P<0.01). Comparison of the subgroups of head injury patients showed no difference between IMg 2 * levels in motor vehicle accidents (MVA's), assaults, or falls (Table 9) but all mean values were significantly depressed compared to controls. Although mean values for TMg in these three types of etiologies varied from controls there were no differences in TMg between these patients. However, there were significant differences in % IMg 2 * between the three types of initiating circumstances, j^ falls produced the greatest deficit in % IMg 2 * with MVA's producing the least. Table 9: Serum Ionized, Total and Percent Ionized Magnesium After Head Trauma Caused by Motor Vehicle Accidents, Assaults and Falls Etiology of HT PARAMETERS CONTROLS MVA ASSAULTS FALLS IMg 2+ (mM/L) 0.585 ± 0.005 0.53 ± 0.007+ 0.53 ± 0.018+ 0.545 ± 0.011 + (60) + * (43) (19) (4) * Number of subjects + Significantly different from controls (P<0.01) ** Significantly different from controls and MVA (P <0.01) Acute head trauma was associated with early deficits in ICa 2 *, which was related to the severity of the injury (Table 10). Very severe head trauma (grade III) resulted in almost a 20% depression of ICa 2 *, and there was a significant increase in the relative amount of ICa 2 * to IMg 2 *. However, none of the other serum analytes measured, including sodium and potassium, or hydrogen ions demonstrated any abnormalities. Table 10: Serum Ionized Calcium And Ionized Calcium to Magnesium Ratios After Head Trauma DEGREE OF HEAD TRAUMA ICa 2+ (mM/L) ICa 2+ /Mg 2 Controls Grade I Grade II Grade in ICa 2+ = ionized calcium ( ) = number of subjects * Significantly different from controls (P< 0.001) + Significantly different from controls and grade I head trauma. (P<0.01) Although patients with isolated skull fractures all exhibited significant deficits in serum IMg 2 * and ICa 2 * when compared to patients with grade I head trauma, these values were not lower than those seen for grade π HT and were not as low as seen in grade HI HT (Table 11). n = 5 subjects * Significantly different from controls and grade I HT (Table 8, P<0.02) ** Significantly different from controls and grade I HT (Table 10, P<0.05) 10 + Significantly different from controls and grade HI HT (Table 8, P<0.02) Patients with histories of alcohol abuse or drunk on arrival in the emergency room (blood alcohol >200 mg/dl) showed significant deficits of IMg 2 * and , 5 ICa 2 * when compared with patients with cocaine abuse or control groups (Table 12). In addition, there was a significant increase in the relative amount of ICa 2 * compared to IMg 2 *. Table 12: Serum Ionized Magnesium, Ionized Calcium, Total and Percent Ionized 0 Magnesium in Acute Head Trauma Patients with Alcohol Abuse JMg 2+ ICa 2+ TMg %IMg 2 Ca 2+ /mg 2 (mM/L) (mM/L) (mM/L) 0.48 + 0.029* 1.05 + 0.044** 0.748 + 0.059 64.7 + 2.53 2.22 + 0.12** 5 n = 6 subjects * Significantly different from controls and grade I HT (Table 8, P<0.01) ** Significantly different from controls (Table 10, P<0.01) The findings provide the first evidence for divalent cation changes in 0 blood early after traumatic brain injury which are of diagnostic value in the assessment of the severity of head injury, making estimations of prognosis in such patients more reliable. The method of analyzing ionized magnesium and ionized calcium can be used to monitor the response of HT to therapeutic intervention. In addition, the ϋ findings support early intervention with Mg salts after traumatic brain injury. EXAMPLE XVH DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS IN HYPERTENSION c Applicants hypothesized that many hypertensive human subjects might be expected to exhibit reduction in ionized Mg 2 * (Altura, B.M. et al. Federation Proc. 40:2672-2679, 1981; Altura, B.M. et al. Science 223:1315-1317, 1984) and that treatment of such hypertensive subjects would restore ionized Mg 2 * to normal. Therapy of such patients should be signified by adjustments of plasma ionized Mg 2 * 10 and would be a valuable adjunct for diagnosis and treatment of such patients. Data on more than 30 normotensive (0.52-0.67 mM), untreated hypertensive (0.42-0.60) and treated hypertensives (0.56-0.63), using the methodology of the present invention, supported this idea. 5 Ionized magnesium, serum total magnesium, and plasma renin activity (PRA) in fasting normotensive (NT) (n=20), essential hypertensive (n=28) subjects was monitored before, and 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after oral glucose loading (lOOgm). Results were compared to intracellular free magnesium values obtained at o the same time intervals as measured using 31 P-NMR spectroscopy. The average ionized Mg 2 * values in fasting normotensive subjects were 0.63± O.OlmM. Ionized Mg 2 * values in essential hypertensives, as a group, was 0.60±0.01mM. Ionized Mg 2 * values was significantly lower for essential hypertensives who had high plasma renin activity (0.57+0.01mM, sig = 0.05 vs NT) compared to normotensives or essential hypertensives who had low plasma renin activity (0.62+0.01mM, sig = NS vs NT). The ionized Mg 2 * values for non-insulin dependent diabetics was consistently lower than for normotensives (0.57±0.01mM, p < 0.05 vs NT). For n all subjects, fasting ionized Mg 2 * was related to Mgi (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). Oral glucose loading reciprocally lowered intracellular Mg (219 ± 12 to 193 ± 13 μM, p < 0.01), while elevating ionized Mg 2 * levels (0.60 ± 0.02 to 0.64 ± 0.02 mM, p < 0.01). Lastly, the dynamic changes in intracellular Mg and 5 circulating ionized Mg 2 * were also correlated (r = 0.612, p < 0.05). Total magnesium values did not differ in non-insulin dependent diabetics, or after glucose loading. These data demonstrate that non-insulin dependent diabetics and essential hypertensives with high plasma renin activity have significantly lower circulating Mg 2 * than normotensives subjects. The data also demonstrates that there is physiological transport of cellular ionic magnesium into the extracellular space in response to oral glucose loading. Monitoring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in humans or animals, by the present invention, now makes it possible to diagnose, prognoses and treat hypertensive subjects. EXAMPLE XVffl DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION ' Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (EH), is a well-defined syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by increased intracranial pressure (ICP), papilledema, normal intracranial anatomy and normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSP) which typically affects young obese women [Ahlskog, J.E. et al. Ann. Intern. Med. 97:249- 256, 1982]. UH has been described in association with diverse contributing factors such as certain disease states, endocrinologic abnormalities, ingestion of certain exogenous agents as well as in pregnancy and steroid withdrawal [Aslokog, JE et al. Ann. Intern. Med. 97:249-256, 1982; Donaldson, J.O. Neurology 31:877-880, 1981; Corbett, J.J. Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 10:22-229; 1983; Johnston, I. et al. Arch. Neurol. 48:740-747, 1991; Couban et al. Can. Med. Assn. J. 145: 657-659, 1991]. The cerebrospinal fluid in UH is characterized as being under increased pressure, acellular in composition with normal glucose content, and normal to low-normal content. Some abnormalities have been observed in CSF in DH, e.g., certain hormone levels appear to be elevated (i.e., vasopressin, estrone), whereas estrogen levels are often depressed [Seckl, J. et al. J. Neurol. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 51:1538-1541, 1988; Donaldson, J.O. etal. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr 45:734-736, 1982; Srenson, ° P.S. et al. Arch. Neurol. 43:902-906, 1986]. Many investigators believe that a single underlying mechanism may be responsible for the increase in ICP. It has been suggested that UH is a syndrome of varying brain compliance and that a vascular mechanism may have an important pathogenetic role [Johnston, I. et al. Arch. Neurol. 48:740-747, 1991; Quincke, H. Dtsch. Z. Nerv. 9:140-168, 1907; Felton, W.L. et al. Neurol. 41 (Suppl.):348 (Abstr.), 1991.] It is now possible, by the present invention, to diagnose, prognoses, and treat UH, by monitoring the levels of total Mg, IMg 2 * and ionized Ca 2 * (ICa 2 *) in the serum and CSF of patients with IIH. Patients with UH were identified on admission to the hospital. All patients fulfilled the modified Dandy criteria for the diagnosis of UH. All patients were obese young women. Four of five patients (subject nos. 2-5) had no history of any possible contributing factor other than obesity. One subject (subject no. 1) had a history of post-partum sagittal sinus thrombosis two years prior to entering the 5 study. Seven cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) specimens were obtained from the five subjects after informed consent. Single specimens were obtained from subject numbers 1, 3 and 4, and two specimens each (at different times during attack) from subjects 2 and 5. Serum was obtained anaerobically after venipuncture from subjects o 2, 3 and 5 during acute symptomatic exacerbations of UH. Normal, healthy faculty and students volunteered to serve as controls. Anaerobically-maintained serum and CSF were used to measure levels of IMg 2 *, ICa 2 *, sodium, potassium and H+ (pH) by ion selective electrodes. Total Mg in CSF and serum were determine by atomic absorption spectroscopy and a Kodak DT-60 Ektachem Analyzer. Percent IMg 2 * was calculated for both the CSF and serum samples. Mean values ± S.E.M. were calculated and compared for statistical significance by a non-paired Student's t-test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The CSF levels of total Mg (TMg) were normal in all patients (Table 13). CSF levels of IMg 2 * (0.98 ± 0.046 mM/L), ICa 2 * (0.89 ± 0.025 mM/L) and % IMg 2 * (80.4 ± 4.49) were considerably below the normal ranges in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, CSF ionized Na+ and K+ as well as pH were normal in IIH. * Significantly different normal values (P<0.01). Serum levels of TMg, IMg 2 *, Ca 2 *, Na*, K* and H* in UH did not Q differ from normal, healthy subjects (Table 14). Our findings are compatible with the idea that ionic aberrations and alterations in vascular tone in the arachnoid granulations or permeability of the vascular walls may have important pathogenetic roles in pseudotumor cerebri. Intervention with Mg could have ameliorative actions in patients with H. Table 14: Ionized Mg 2+ , Ionized Ca + , Total Mg and Percent Ionized Mg in Serum of Patients with UH Compared to Normal, Healthy Subjects Mean Values (mM/L + S.E.M. Group N IMg 2+ ICa 2 TMg %IMg> + IIH 3 0.60 ± 0.034 1.10 ± 0.115 0.89 ± 0.013 67.6 ± 3.98 Controls 23 0.58 ± 0.006 1.15 ± 0.024 0.85 ± 0.022 68.2 ± 0.84 EXAMPLE XIX DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS IN PREGNANCY-INDUCED PRE-ECLAMPSIA, HYPERTENSION, CONVULSIONS AND FETAL GROWTH RETARDATION Using the present method of sample processing and an ISE for measuring ionized Mg 2 *, a study was undertaken to determine ionized and total Mg levels in umbilical venous and arterial blood in normal and abnormal pregnant patients. Correlations were made between Mg 2 * levels and maternal and neonatal pathological states. The study consisted of 64 pregnant patients of which 38 had no maternal or neonatal complications and 26 had one or more of the following abnormalities: toxemia, transient hypertension, gestational diabetes, premature labor during the current pregnancy or delivery prior to 38 weeks, growth retarded newborn, chorioamnionitis, or ABO incompatibility in the newborn. All APGAR scores were 9,10. There were no differences between the groups with regard to maternal age, race, parity, percentage of indigent patients, mode of delivery, epidural analgesis, use of Pitocin, use of oxygen in labor, ECA at delivery, mean birth weight or sex of newborn. Three patients in the abnormal group received Mg therapy for toxemia and had venous samples taken. The results are expressed as mean (mM) ± SEM. In normal pregnancies, the mean umbilical venous plasma (or serum) ionized Mg 2 * level was 0.51 ± 0.01 (N=38), which approximates the lower end of the normal range values in the venous plasma of non-pregnant women. The mean umbilical arterial ionized Mg 2 * level in normal pregnancies was 0.48 ± 0.01 (N=24), demonstrating significant differences in the amount of ionized Mg 2 * which enters or leaves the fetus. Pregnant women who had one or more of the various maternal pathological conditions listed above had a significantly lower mean venous plasma or serum ionized Mg 2 * level (0.44 + 0.014) than the normal group. The subgroup of pregnant women who exhibited transient hypertension had a mean venous ionized Mg 2 * level of 0.43 ± 0.015, which is almost a 20% deficit compared to the normal group. Two patients that had chorioamnionitis had the lowest values of umbilical venous Mg 2 * in the entire study population, 0.25 mM and 0.38 mM. The percent of the total Mg which was ionized was 67.3 + 1.89 in the normal pregnancies and 64.5 ° ± 2.31 in the abnormal ones, an insignificant difference. One of the patients with chorioamnionitis had only 49% ionized Mg 2 *, however. The study population consisted of mothers in labor, of which 51 were randomly selected, after a chart review revealed that they had no complications prior to labor and were greater than 37 weeks gestational age. Thirteen of these patients developed transient hypertension in labor and were evaluated separately. The remaining 38 patients comprised the normal study group. Venous blood samples from a separate group of 26 normal mothers admitted to the Labor and Delivery Suite in labor or for elective Cesarean section, and 42 samples from another group of non- pregnant healthy women, ages 19 through 45, were evaluated for comparison purposes. Transient hypertension in labor was defined as repeated systolic blood pressures of > 140 mmHg in the first stage of labor in patients without proteinuria or other signs of symptoms of preeclampsia and with no other complications in pregnancy. Blood pressures were measured in between contractions with the women in a semirecumbant position and the arm at heart level. Blood pressures of patients with this diagnosis were normal post-partum. Newborns were considered large for gestational age (LGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) if they were greater than the 90th percentile or less than the 10th percentile in weight according to the nomograms of Batagglia et al. (J. Pediatr. 1967, 71:159-163). If any study neonate was admitted to the high risk nursery, the reason for the admission was to be documented. Patients in Labor and Delivery were not allowed to eat or drink anything and were given intravenous Ringers-lactate solution (Baxter Health Care Corp., Deerfield, II.) at 125 ml. per hour. Occasional patients received meperidine HCI (50mg IV, Elkins Sinn, Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J.) and promethazine HCI (25 mg. IV, Elkins Sinn) for analgesia, as well as an oxytocin (Parke Davis, Morris Plains, N.J.) infusion (l-15mU/min) for labor augmentation. When epidural analgesia or anesthesia was given, a test dose consisting of 3ml. of 1.5% lidocaine HCI with epinephrine (1:200,000 dilution, Astra Pharmaceutical Prods., Westborough, Ma.) followed by a first dose containing the same medication was given. This was followed by a continuous infusion of bupivicaine HCI (0.083 % , Astra Pharm.) and fentanyl (2μg/ml, Elkins Sinn, Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J.). Patients who had epidural anesthesia for Cesarean sections were premedicated with a scopolamine patch (1.5 mg, CIBA-Geigy, Summit, N.J.) and a sodium citrate and citric acid oral solution (30 ml. Willen Drug Co., Baltimore, Md.) orally. They then 5 received 13 to 20 ml. of 2% lidocaine and epinephrine (1:200,000, Astra Pharm.) or 15 to 20 mi. of chloroprocaine (3%, Astra Pharm.) to achieve an anesthetic block at the T4 level. Prior to epidural analgesia in labor, or epidural anesthesia for Cesarean procedures, all patients received an intravenous infusion of 1000 ml or 1500 ml, respectively, of Ringers-lactate solution over 15 minutes for prehydration. Assessment of Serum Ionized Magnesium. Total Magnesium and Ionized Calcium A 7 to 20 cm section of umbilical cord was double-clamped at delivery and samples of venous and arterial blood were aspirated separately, placed in plain red-stoppered Vacutainer tubes and allowed to clot at room temperature. Peripheral blood samples were also obtained in an age-matched group of normal, healthy non- pregnant women by venipuncture via Vacutainer tubes under anaerobic conditions. All blood samples were then centrifuged at 3000g for 15 minutes under anaerobic 0 conditions, and an aliquot of serum was removed under anaerobic conditions and stored at -20 °C. Samples were analyzed within two weeks using a NOVA Biomedical Stat Profile 8 Analyzer (NOVA Biomedical Corp., Waltham, MA) to measure IMg 2 * and ICa 2 *. In addition, TMg levels were measured with either atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or a Kodak Ectachem DT-60 Analyzer (12). There was no significant differences for measurement of TMg between AAS or the Kodak Analyzer. Mean levels ± S.E.M.) of the cations and of the fractions of IMg 2 * were calculated for each patient and control group. An attempt was made to see if 0 there were any correlations between the levels determined and clinical parameters and if there were any relationships between the cations. The numbers of samples within each subgroup varied due to sample loss. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical package (Notusis, M.J. SPSS/PCAT Release 3.1, Chicago, SPSS - > Inc., 1986) for the unpaired Student's t test, Chi-square analysis, and Pearson's ° correlation coefficient. All results are expressed as means ± standard error of the mean (SEM) unless otherwise indicated. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. 5 Ranges of IMg 2 *. Total Mg. %IMg 2 * and ICa 2 * The IMg 2 * levels for both umbilical vein and artery, and the maternal vein, of the pregnant subjects remained within narrow ranges, Le ^ 0.49-0.53 mmol/1, 95% confidence interval for the umbilical vein; 0.46-0.53 mmol/1, 95% confidence interval for the umbilical artery; and 0.46-0.51, 95% confidence intervals for the maternal venous blood. In non-pregnant women the serum range was 0.55-0.67 mmol/L. The ranges for total Mg were 0.70-0.745 mmol/1 for the umbilical vein, 0.70-0.78 mmol/1 for the umbilical artery, and 0.74-0.82 mmol/1 for maternal blood. In non-pregnant women, the serum range was 0.70-0.98 mmol/L. The ranges for the 5 ionized fractions were 68.6-72.2% for the umbilical vein, 61.5-67.8% for the umbilical artery, and 60.5-65.1 % for maternal venous blood. In non-pregnant women, the serum % IMg 2 * ranges from 67.2-75.2%. The ICa 2 * levels (95% confidence intervals) for both umbilical vein and Q artery had much wider ranges than those for IMg 2 * , Le , 0.97-1.09 mmol/1 for the artery and 1.11-1.23 mmol/1 for the vein. For maternal venous blood, the ICa 2 * range was (also much wider than for IMg 2 *, e_.,) 0.87-1.28 mmol/1. In non-pregnant women the peripheral serum range was 1.10-1.30 mmol/L. Relationships Between IMG 2 * Levels, Fractions of Mg and Levels of ICa 2 * in Umbilical Vessels of Normal Subjects Mean umbilical arterial IMg 2 * remained slightly (by 0.03 mmol/1) but significantly (p<0.05) lower than umbilical venous IMg 2 * in the normal patients (Table 15), but there was a highly significant correlation (r=0.79) between both values (p< 0.0001). The differences in the TMg between the cord blood in the two vessels were not significant, and the arterial TMg was highly correlated with the venous TMg (r=0.76) (p< 0.0001). Arterial IMg 2 * also correlated with arterial total Mg (r=0.56) (p < 0.01) and similarly, venous IMg 2 * correlated with venous total Mg (r=0.69) (p< 0.0001). Values are means ± S.E.M. * Represents number of different subjects. ** Significantly different from arterial IMg 2+ (p <0.05) *** Significantly different from arterial %IMg 2+ (p <0.01) The ionized fraction of Mg was significantly lower in the umbilical arteries than in the veins (p<0.01) and in both vessels the fractions were negatively correlated with the TMg levels (r=-0.42, p<0.05 in arteries and r=0.54, -p< 0.001 in the veins). In other terms, as the TMg rises, the % IMg 2 * falls. The mean ICa 2 * level in the umbilical vein (1.20 + 0.02 mmol/L) was significantly higher than in the umbilical artery (1.03 ± 0.03 mmol/L) (p< 0.001). The umbilical arterial ICa 2 * level was significantly conelated to the IMg 2 * level (r=0.44, p=0.02), but this type of correlation was not seen in the vein. On the other hand, the ICa 2 * levels conelated with the Mg fractions in both the umbilical artery (r=0.28, p<0.01) and umbilical vein (r=0.28, p<0.01) and umbilical vein (r=0.532, p <0.05). Comparison of Relationships Between IMg 2 * Levels, Fractions of Mg and Levels of ICa 2 * in Peripheral Venous Blood Samples of Normal Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women with Samples from Umbilical Vessels The mean level of IMg 2 * in the peripheral venous blood of normal, pregnant women (0.485 ± 0.01, n=26) was slightly but significantly less than that in the umbilical vein (Table 15) (p<0.05) and similar to that in the umbilical artery. The mean TMg in the peripheraJ blood of the mother (0.78 + 0.02, n=26) was significantly higher than in the umbilical vein (p< 0.001), and the ionized fraction of ° Mg in the mother (62.2 %) was significantly less than in the umbilical vein (p < 0.001), and the ionized fraction of Mg in the mother (62%) was significantly less than in the umbilical vein (p< 0.001), but similar to that in the artery. In the maternal veins, as in the umbilical vessels, the IMg 2 * levels conelated with the total Mg levels (r=0.44, r p<0.01 for both), and the IMg 2 * ionized fraction was negatively correlated with the total Mg (r=-0.48, p<0.01). As in the umbilical arteries, maternal venous ICa 2 * (1.09 ± 0.01 mmol/1) positively correlated (r values = 0.5-0.6, p< 0.002) with both maternal venous IMg 2 * levels and with Mg fractions (p<0.01 for both). Also, as with umbilical arterial blood, this maternal peripheral venous ICa 2 * level was significantly less than the umbilical venous level (ρ< 0.001). In contrast to these values, the peripheral venous IMg 2 * of non-pregnant, age-matched healthy women is approximately 15-20% higher (0.60 + 0.0005 mmol/L, n=42) than that of umbilical cord blood or maternal venous blood of women in labor. The peripheral venous TMg and % IMg 2 * in the non-pregnant age-matched healthy women are 0.83 ± 0.06 mmol/L and 71.6 + 0.58%, respectively. Correlation of Demographic Variables with IMg 2 * and ICa 2 * Levels and Fractions in Umbilical Vessels of Normal Patients In the normal study group, the maternal age ranged from 19 to 40 years, gestational age from 37.5 to 42.0 weeks, and birthweight from 2,608 to 4,706 grams. Within those ranges, there were no significant conelations between umbilical arterial or venous levels of IMg 2+ , TMg or ionized fraction of Mg 2 * and the maternal or gestational ages and birthweights (Pearson's correlation coefficient p>0.05). However, there was a positive correlation between umbilical arterial ICa 2 * and birthweight (r=0.36, p=0.04). Multiparous patients had approximately an 8% lower mean umbilical venous IMg 2 * than primiparous patients, (0.49 + 0.01 [n=24], versus 0.53 ± 0.02 mmol/1 [n= 13] p=0.02. Differences in TMg levels or fractions were not significantly different nor were there differences in the arterial samples. There were no differences between clinic and private patients in mean u IMg 2 *, TMg levels, % IMg 2 * or ICa 2 * levels. With regard to race, Blacks and Hispanics had similar levels of umbilical arterial and venous IMg 2 * compared to Whites, but Asians had approximately 8% and 27% higher mean venous and arterial IMg 2 * levels when compared to Whites (0.54 + 0.02 mmol L versus 0.50 + 0.01 mmol/L venous, and 0.57 ± 0.02 versus 0.45 ± 0.01 mmol L arterial, p=0.01 and .001, respectively). The percent ionized Mg 2 * fractions, however, did not differ between Asians and Whites. On the other hand the percent ionized Mg 2 * was sigmficantly higher in Blacks than Whites in the umbilical vein (73.5 ± 1.3 versus 68.8 ± 1.1, p=0.03). In Hispanics, the mean TMg level in the umbilical veins was significantly lower than that of Whites (0.66 + 0.02 versus 0.73 ± 0.02, p=0.04). ICa 2 * levels also showed some variation with race. Asians appeared to have the highest mean umbilical venous ICa 2 *, compared to Whites (1.27 + 0.04 5 versus 1.19 ± 0.03 mmol/L) but this difference did not achieve statistical significance. The umbilical arterial ICa 2 * of Hispanics was almost significantly higher than that of Whites (1.12 ± 0.04 versus 0.99 ±0.05 mmo/L, ρ=0.06). Q Influence of mode of Delivery and Medications on IMg 2 * Levels. Mg Fractions and ICa 2 * Levels As seen in Table 16, there were no significant differences in arterial or venous IMg 2 *, TMg and %IMg 2 * levels in patients delivered by Cesarean section compared to those who had spontaneous vaginal delivery. But patients with operative vaginal delivery had both increased arterial and venous IMg 2 * (p<0.05) and venous TMg (p=0.04) compared to patients with spontaneous vaginal delivery. ICa 2 * levels did not vary with mode of delivery. Table 16: Ionized Magnesium Levels and Fractions and Ionized Ca2+ Levels in Umbilical Arteries and Veins of Normal Patients Versus Mode of Delivery and Anesthesia IMg 2 * Total Mg % Ionized ICa : 2+ (Values are means ± SEM in mmol/1; numbers of patients in parentheses; v= vein; a=artery * p<0.01 compared to vein ** p<0.05 compared to level in same vessel of patients with NSVD + p<0.05 compared to level in same vessel of patients who had epidural Use of epidural analgesia or anesthesia was associated with significantly lower umbilical venous TMg 2 * levels (p=0.02). The TMg was decreased in the umbilical arteries with use of epidural. ICa 2 * levels did not vary significantly. There were no differences in umbilical venous Mg levels or fractions of ICa 2 * levels between patients who received intravenous or intramuscular ° medications (e.g., meperidine, promethazine, oxytocin) versus those who did not. Relationship Between Normal Weight Grouping of Neonates and IMg 2 * Levels. Fractions of Mg and Levels of ICa 2 * c Only one infant in the normal study group was borderline SGA and, thus, comparison of cation levels was not possible for such infants. However, umbilical venous samples from 12 LGA infants, and umbilical arterial samples from 11 of such subjects were compared with average for gestational age (AGA) neonates. In the venous samples, the ionized fraction was significantly greater in the LGA 0 infants than the AGA neonates (73.0 + 1.4 versus 68.8 ± 1.1 %, ρ<0.05). Umbilical arterial ICa 2 * was also significantly higher in the LGA group (1.10 ± 0.04 versus 0.97 ± 0.04 mmol/L, p<0.05). - 5 Comparison of Demographic Variables and Outcomes Among the Different Study Groups When the different study groups were compared with regard to maternal or gestational age, percent primigravida, race, or use of analgesia or medications, no o differences were found (Table 17). The increased percentages of indigent patients in the group with transient hypertension approached significance (p=0.06). Unlike the other groups, none of the patients in the transient hypersensitive group were delivered by Cesarian section (Chi-square, p=0.02). 5 0 Table 17: Comparison of Demographic Data, Medication in Labor, and Neonatal Outcome in the Different Study Groups Diagnosis Transient Hypertension 13 25.4 +. 1.4 6 (46.0) 3(23.1) 3 (23.1) I (7-7) 7 (53.8) 6 (46.2)* 10 (76.9) 3 (23.1) 0 (0)* 39.9 ± 0.29 II (84.6) 0 (0) 2 (15.4) 3366.4 +_ 122.4 3 (23.1) 1 (7.7) 4 (30.8) (Parametric Data are Means +_ SEM; numbers in parenthesis are %) * p <0.05 compared to normal patients + p = 0.06 compared to normal patients There were no significant differences between the neonatal groups with regard to birthweight, macrosomia, meconium and sec distribution. None of the ° neonates of the mothers with transient hypertension were SGA. None of the neonates had significant morbidity or entered the neonatal intensive care unit. Comparison of IMg 2 * Levels, Fractions of Mg and ICa 2 * Levels Between Normal Subjects and Transient Hypertensives The mean IMg 2 * level in the umbilical veins, but not in umbilical arteries, of transient hypertensives was significantly lower than that in normal patients (Table 18). The TMg levels were similar in the umbilical veins and arteries of both types of patients. When the mean TMg levels, IMg 2 * and mean % ionized fractions in the transient hypertensives in the artery were compared to the vein, only the % IMg 2 * was significantly different (P<0.01) from the normal subjects. Umbilical arterial ICa 2 * (1.00 +.0.07 mmol/1) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than umbilical venous ICa 2 * (1.17 ±.0.003 mmol/1), as in the normal patients. However, both mean arterial and venous levels of ICa 2 * did not differ significantly from the mean levels of normal patients. ** Significantly different from umbilical venous blood of normal women (P<0.01), (Table 15) *** Significantly different from arterial %IMg 2 * (p<0.01) When the arteriovenous differences in the umbilical vessels for mean Mg levels and fractions were compared, we could not find any significant differences between normal pregnant women in labor and those presenting with transient hypertension in labor (Table 19). It is known that labor induces significant elevations of serum epinephrine and norepinephrine. Deficits in [Mg 2 *]. are known to potentiate the ϋ contractile effects of catecholamines on all types of blood vessels, including umbilical arteries and veins. It has been shown that Mg therapy can blunt the hypertensive action of epinephrine, norepinephrine and other pressors without altering its cardiotonic action. However, patients who enter labor with a deficiency in ionized Mg 2 * may not be able to blunt the hypertensive effects of rises in norepinephrine, epinephrine or other pressor agents related to stress. The end result is that the lower than normal IMg 2 * allows more ICa 2 * to enter, and be released from, the smooth muscle cells lining the peripheral blood vessels, resulting in decreased vascular lumen sizes and increases in peripheral vascular resistance. Values are means ± S.E.M. * Represents number of different subjects The overall data indicate that serum or plasma ionized Mg 2 * levels in pregnancy are of diagnostic value. Transient hypertension in labor is associated with hypomagnesemia, which could account in large measure for the increase in blood pressure. Therefore, the present methodology for use in monitoring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations throughout pregnancy allows the obstetrician to prevent pregnancy- induced pre-eclampsia, hypertension, convulsions and fetal growth retardation by treatment of the women with Mg 2 * salts which elevate ionized Mg 2 * when levels drop abnormally low. Furthermore, ionized Mg 2 * levels may be a biochemical marker for following disease processes in pregnant women and their response to treatment. EXAMPLE XX IONIZED MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM LEVELS IN CYCLOSPORINE TREATED RENAL TRANSPLANT RECD7IENTS Ionized Mg 2 * and ionized Ca 2 * were measured in 54 cyclosporine (CSA) treated renal transplant recipients (6 mos. to 7 yrs. post-transplant, mean CSA= 192 +_ 19.3 ng/dl) and 34 age-matched control subjects using an ion selective electrode. Renal transplant recipients demonstrated pronounced deficits in mean ionized Mg 2 * (0.48 ± 0.01 vs. control 0.61 ± 0.06 mM/L, ρ< 0.001). These recipients demonstrated slight deficits in mean total magnesium (0.77 + . 0.015 vs. 0.84 ± 0.017 mM/L, p<0.001) and no change in mean ionized Ca 2 * (1.20 ± 0.02 vs. 1.18 ± 0.01 mM/L, p = NS). Renal transplant recipients with plasma cholesterol < 215 mg/dl and control subjects did not show a conelation between cholesterol level, ionized Mg 2 *, ionized Ca 2 * or total magnesium. Both ionized Mg 2 * and total magnesium conelated positively (p < 0.05) with plasma cholesterol in renal transplant recipients with plasma cholesterol levels > 240 mg/dl. Renal transplant recipients with high plasma cholesterol levels also demonstrated a strong negative conelation between cyclosporine level and ionized Mg 2 * (p<0.01), i.e., patients with high cyclosporine levels having the lowest ionized magnesium values. Renal transplant recipients with high plasma cholesterol had strong positive correlation between cyclosporine levels and ionized Ca 2 * /ionized Mg 2 * ratios and a negative conelation between plasma cholesterol and ionized Ca 2 * /ionized Mg 2 * ratios. Therefore, using the method of the present invention, it has been possible to correlate cyclosporine toxicity with ionized Mg 2 * deficiencies in renal transplant recipients with hypercholesterolemia. The accelerated atherosclerosis noted in cyclosporine-treated renal transplant recipients is related to alterations in ionized Mg 2 * ratios. Ionized Mg 2 *, and not total Mg, appears to be the most sensitive clinical parameter in cyclosporine-treated renal transplant recipients. Therefore, the method of the present invention in conjunction with measurements of plasma cholesterol is ° diagnostic and prognostic in predicting development or exacerbation of atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine. Therapeutic intervention with magnesium to bring the plasma levels of ionized magnesium to within the normal range of approximately 0.53-0.67 mM serves to lessen atherosclerosis in renal c transplant recipients with high plasma cholesterol levels. EXAMPLE XXI IONIZED CA 2 *:MG 2+ RATIOS Since determinations of ionized Ca 2 * have been suggested to be of value 0 in cntical care medicine (Zaloga, G.P. et al. Crit. Care Med. 15:813-816, 1987; Olinger, M.L. The Emerg. Med. Clin. N. Amer. 7:795-822, 1989) and significant alterations in ionized Mg 2 * can be measured using the present methods, it is reasonable to examine and utilize Ca 2 *:Mg 2 * ratios in the diagnosis and treatment of 5 disease states where both of these cations could be expected to exhibit subtle changes in body fluids. The data described herein, particularly for cardiac patients and such patients on cardiopulmonary bypass indicate that the Ca 2 *:Mg 2 * ratios are significantly diagnostic and prognostic markers for hypotension, coronary vasospasm and o dysrhythmias during and post cardiac surgery. Additionally, Ca 2 *:Mg 2 * ratios may be diagnostic and prognostic in determining the severity and progression of head trauma, abnormal pregnancies, and hypotension. Cunently, it is recommended by the US National Academy of Sciences that human subjects consume in their diets 900-1000 mg/day of elemented calcium (whic =22.5-25 mmoles of Ca) and 350-400 mg/day of elemental magnesium (which= 14.4-16.5 mmoles of Mg). This represents molar ratios (Ca/Mg) of 1.36- 1.74. All current diet supplements and dietary components are based on these values. However, these values used by the USA National Academy of Sciences are based on metabolic balance studies of calcium and magnesium in human subjects. Such metabolic balance studies are based on total calcium and total magnesium balances, not on the biologically (or physiologically) active minerals, which are the ionic forms, ICa 2 * and IMg 2 *. The measurements on whole blood, plasma and serum levels of ICa 2 * u and IMg 2 * by the method of the present invention, using an ion selective electrode, yield mean ICa 2 * levels of about 1.20 mM/L and IMg 2 * levels of about 0.60 mM/L. This is a molar ratio of approximately 2.00/1. Therefore, the old formulation based on total calcium and total magnesium is inconect. Normal diets should contain a molar ratio of approximately 2.0/1.0 for Ca/Mg in order to maintain the proper blood levels of ionized Ca 2 * and ionized Mg 2 *. Dietary supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements should thus be based on such a new ratio. EXAMPLE XXH 0 TREATMENT OF HYPO- AND HYPER-MAGNESEMIA STATES Use of the present invention allows the physician, veterinarian and researcher to scientifically monitor and treat hypo- or hypermagnesemia states. Candidates for treatment with Mg 2 * or calcium and Mg 2 * include 5 animals, particularly mammals such as humans with coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypomagnesemia, critical illnesses, lung diseases, abnormal pregnancy, undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass, head trauma, aminoglycoside (or other antibiotics) toxicity, chemotherapeutic drug-induced hypomagnesemia or those in high Q risk categories for heart attack or stroke such as those with hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, or smokers and the like. Candidates for Mg 2 * treatment or Mg 2 * and Ca 2 * treatment also includes those with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, renal transplant recipients and non-insulin dependent diabetics. The amount of Mg 2 * administered will, of course depend upon the severity of the condition being treated, the route of administration chosen, and the dose of Mg , and ultimately will be decided by the attending physician or veterinarian. As a guide, a concentration of Mg 2 *, as used in the prior art include regimens similar to those reported by clinicians for different disease states (Wacker, W.E.C. Magnesium and Man. 1980; Iseri, C.T. et al. West J. Med. 138:823-828, 1983; Zaloga, G.P. In: Problems in Critical Care Vol 4, 1990; Rudnick, M. et al. APMIS 98: 1123-1127, 1990; Rasmussen, H.S. et al. Lancet 1:234-236, 1986; Berkelhammer, C. et al. Canadian Med. Assoc. J. 312:360-368, 1985; Cohen, L. et al. Magnesium 3:159-163, 1984; Dyckner, T. et al. Brit. Med. J. 286:1847-1849, 1983; Olinger, M.L. The Emerg. Med. Clin. N. u Amer. 7:795-822, 1989; Kobrin, S.M. et al. Sem. in Nephrol. 10:525-535, 1990). Use of the present methodology and assessment of ionized Mg 2 *, rapidly, will make it possible to monitor a patient's response to therapeutic regimens in a precise and carefully controlled manner, which was heretofore not possible. Mg 2 * or Mg 2 * and Ca 2 * may be administered by any route appropriate to the condition being treated including intravenous (TV), intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, oral, nasal, and the like. Preferably, the Mg 2 * is injected IV into the blood stream of the mammal being treated especially in acute cases of hypomagnesemia. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred route will vary with the condition being treated. While it is possible for the Mg 2 * to be administered as the pure or substantially pure mineral, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation or preparation. Suitable bioavailable magnesium salts and magnesium compounds are 15 well known in the art as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,954,349 and U.S. Patent No. 4,546,195, incorporated herein by reference. The formulations for the present invention, both veterinary and for human use, comprise Ca 2 *, Mg 2 * or Ca 2 * and Mg 2 * together with one or more n pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and optionally other therapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any method well known in the pharmaceutical art. 5 All methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or ° both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. Formulations suitable for intravenous, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal administration conveniently comprise sterile aqueous solutions of the active ingredient with solutions which are preferably isotonic with the blood of the recipient. Such formulations may be conveniently prepared by dissolving solid active ingredient in ° water containing physiologically compatible substances such as sodium chloride (e.g. 0.1-2.6 M), Ringers solution, parenteral solution for I.V. or oral administration and the like, and having a buffered pH compatible with physiological conditions to produce an aqueous solution, and rendering said solution sterile. These may be presented in unit or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampoules or vials. The formulations of the present invention may incorporate a stabilizer. Illustrative stabilizers are polyethylene glycol, proteins, saccharides, amino acids, inorganic acids, and organic acids which may be used either on their own or as admixtures. These stabilizers are preferably incorporated in an amount of 0.11-10,000 parts by weight per part by weight of mineral. If two or more stabilizers are to be used their total amount is preferably within the range specified above. These stabilizers are used in aqueous solutions at the appropriate concentration and pH. The specific osmotic pressure of such aqueous solutions is generally in the range of 0.25- 5 0.35 osmoles, preferably in the range of 0.29-0.32. The pH of the aqueous solution * is adjusted to be within the range of 7.0-8.0, preferably within the range of 7.2-7.6. In formulating the therapeutic agent of the present invention, anti-adsorption agent may be used. 0 It is an object of the present invention to provide a mineral composition for the prevention or treatment of magnesium imbalances or deficiencies or calcium/magnesium imbalances in an adult comprising calcium in the form of a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and magnesium in the form of a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, alone or in combination to achieve or maintain a molar ratio of ionized Ca**/ionized Mg**of about 2.5:1-1:1, more preferably about 1.5:1, and most preferably about 2: 1 in the blood or a molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 */ionized Mg 2 * of about 0.90: 1 to 1.15:1, more preferable 0.92:1 to about 1.1:1, most preferably about 1:1 in cerebral spinal fluid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mineral composition for the prevention or treatment of magnesium deficiencies, magnesium imbalances and calcium/magnesium imbalances based on the measured ionized level of Mg 2 * in whole blood, serum, plasma and other body fluids obtained by the method of the present invention using an ion selective electrode. If the measured ionized Mg 2 * in blood, serum or plasma is 0.5 mmol/1 or less, then a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium salt which will result in a calculated dose of 400-600 mg/day of elemental magnesium should be given. Calcium should be administered in such a situation in the form of a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable calcium salt which will 5 maintain the blood, plasma or serum level of ionized Ca 2 */ionized Mg 2 * in the molar ratio of about 2: 1 after the ionized Mg 2 * level has been restored to the normal optimal level of about 0.58-0.60 mmol/1. If, however, the measured level of ionized Mg 2 * is between about 0.5-0.6 mmol/1, then a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium salt which will result in a calculated dose of 300 mg/day of element magnesium should be administered. Calcium, in this situation, should be administered in the form a of a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable calcium salt which will maintain the blood, plasma or serum level of ionized Ca 2 */ionized Mg 2 * in the molar ratio of about 2: 1 after the ionized Mg 2 * level has been restored to the normal optimal level of about 0.58-0.60 mmol/1. For prevention of magnesium deficiencies and disease states which require a greater need for magnesium intake, a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium salt and a calcium salt which will result in calculated doses of approximately 200 mg of elemental magnesium and approximately 20 640 mg of elemental calcium, respectively, should be administered each day. This results in a molar ratio of calcium/magnesium of approximately 2: 1. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mineral composition for prevention or treatment of magnesium deficiencies, magnesium c imbalances, and calcium/magnesium imbalances based on the measured ionized level of Mg 2 * and ionized Ca 2 * in whole blood, serum plasma and other body fluids of a neonate, infant and child obtained by the method of the present invention using an ion selective electrode. Bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium salt is administered to the neonate, infant and child in a concentration sufficient to attain or 0 maintain the normal physiological ionized Mg z * levels in the blood. Bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable calcium salt is administered in a concentration sufficient to maintain the blood, plasma, or serum level of ionized Ca 2 */ionized Mg 2 * in the molar ratio of about 1.9:1 to about 2.6:1, more preferably 2.3:1 to about 2.5:1, most 5 preferably about 2.5:1 after the ionized Mg 2+ level has been restored to the normal ° physiological level. Bioavailable magnesium salts include conventional pharmaceutically acceptable organic and inorganic dietary supplement salts of magnesium such as magnesium oxide, magnesium phosphate, magnesium diphosphate, magnesium 5 carbonate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium aspartate hydrochloride, magnesium chloride and the hydrates thereof, and the like. Bioavailable calcium salts include conventional pharmaceutically acceptable organic and inorganic dietary supplement salts of calcium such as dibasic calcium phosphate or the like. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a solid oral dose 0 form composition. The composition may be in the form of conventional pharmaceutical solid unit dosage forms such as a tablet, capsule, or sachet or the like, containing the magnesium and calcium components in the requisite ratio. The bioavailable magnesium may be in a controlled release form ^ wherein, upon ingestion, the magnesium is released into the gastrointestinal tract over a prolonged period of time or in an uncontrolled instant release form, or combination thereof. In one embodiment, the bioavailable magnesium salt is released from o the formulation at an average percent rate at least equal to the average percent rate of release of the calcium salt. Preparation of the composition into a solid oral dose form along with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipient are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,954,349. The present mineral composition may be given alone, as a dietary supplement, or may be administered with other minerals and/or with vitamins. One such multimineral dietary daily supplement includes, but is not limited to the following: Mineral Calcium (as Dibasic Calcium Phosphate) Magnesium (as Magnesium Sulfate) Phosphorus (as Dibasic Calcium phosphate) Iodine (as Potassium Iodide) Iron (as Ferrous Fumarate) 10 Copper (as Cupric Oxide) Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) Manganese (as Manganese Sulfate) , c Potassium (as Potassium Chloride) Chloride (as Potassium Chloride) Chromium (as Chromium Chloride) Molybdenum (as Sodium Molybdate) 0 Selenium (as Sodium Selenite) Vitamin K (as Phytonadione) Nickel (as Nickelous Sulfate) 5 Tin (as Stannous Chloride) Silicon (as Sodium Metasilicate) Vanadium (as Sodium Metavanadate) 0 The mineral composition of the present invention may also be administered with one or more of the following vitamins: 5 u Vitamin Concentrations Vitamin A (as Acetate and Beta Carotene) 5000 I.U. 1 Vitamin E (as dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate) 30 I.U. c Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 60 mg Folic Acid 0.4 Vitamin B-l (as Thiamine Mononitrate) 1.5 mg Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) 1.7 mg Niacin (Niacinamide) 20 mg Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCI) 2 mg Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin) 6 ug Vitamin D (Calciferol) 400 I.U. Biotin 30 ug Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium Pantothenate) 10 mg A further aspect of the present invention is a Ca 2 */Mg 2 * mineral composition for use in an infant formula. The mineral composition provides a concentration of calcium and magnesium to ensure a ionized molar ratio of approximately 1.9 to about 2.6:1, more preferably 2.3:1 to about 2.5:1 of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 *. An infant formula suitable for feeding neonates and infants comprises protein, carbohydrate, water, vitamins, minerals and an edible fat. The Ca 2 */Mg 2 * mineral composition for the infant formula contains between about 0.25 mmoles/kg/day to about 0.625 mmoles/kg/day of calcium in the form of a bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, between about 0.1 mmoles/kg/day to about 0.25 mmoles/kg/day of magnesium in the form of a 1 I.U. = International Unit ° bioavailable pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in order to achieve or maintain a molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 */ionized Mg 2 * in the blood of about 1.9 to about 2.6: 1; more preferably 2.3: 1 to about 2.5:1, most preferably about 2.5:1. The other components in the infant formula and concentrations are provided in U.S. Patent No. 4,670,285, and in: Textbook of Gastroenterology and Nutrition in infancy (2nd Ed) E. Lebenthal (Ed.) 1989, Raven Press, NY, NY pp. 435-458 incorporated herein by reference. It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method for preparing biological samples for ionized Mg 2 * determinations comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *. 0 2. A method of claim 1 wherein the conditions are anaerobic. 3. A method for preparing biological samples for ionized Mg 2 * 5 determinations comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded from the biological sample, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions in o which O 2 is substantially excluded from the biological sample prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *. 4. A method for deterrnining ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in biological samples comprising: 5 (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which ° minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 * , and (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations. 5 5. A method for determining ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in ϋ biological samples comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions in r which O 2 is substantially excluded prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *, and (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations. 6. A method for determining ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in biological samples comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under anaerobic conditions, (B) maintaining the biological sample under anaerobic conditions prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *, and 5 (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations. 7. A method for determining ionized Ca 2 * :Mg 2 * ratios in biological samples comprising: o ( A ) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Ca 2 * or Mg 2 *, (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations, and (D) measuring ionized Ca 2 * concentrations. 8. A method of claims 4-7, wherein ionized Mg 2 * concentrations are measured using an selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. 9. A method of claims 4-7, wherein the biological sample is whole blood, plasma, serum, cerebral spinal fluid, umbilical cord blood or amniotic fluid. 10. A method of diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state in a patient, said disease state capable of being diagnosed or prognosed by a method for determining ionized magnesium ion concentrations in biological samples, the method comprising: , (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *, (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations, and (D) comparing the ionized Mg 2 * concentration of the patient to a normal ionized Mg 2 * concentration. 5 11. A method of diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state in a patient, said disease state capable of being diagnosed or prognosed by a method for determining ionized magnesium ion concentrations in biological samples, the method o comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *, (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations, and (D) comparing the ionized Mg 2 * concentration of the patient to a normal ionized Mg 2 * concentration. 12. A method of diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state in a patient, said disease state capable of being diagnosed or prognosed by a method for determining ionized Ca 2 *:Mg 2 * ratios in biological samples the method comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Ca 2 * or Mg 2 *, (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations, (D) measuring ionized Ca 2 * concentrations, and (E) comparing the ionized Ca 2 * :Mg 2 * ratios of the patient to a normal ionized Ca 2 *:Mg 2 * ratio. 13. A method of claims 10-12, wherein ionized Mg 2 * concentrations are measured using an selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. 14. A method of claim 10-12, for use in diagnosing or prognosing the disease states; cardiac diseases, hypertension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension lung diseases, abnormal pregnancy, head trauma, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or fetal growth retardation. 15. A method of maintaining normal ionized magnesium concentra¬ tion in a patient in need of said maintenance comprising: administration of bioavailable magnesium in a concentration sufficient to maintain levels of ionized Mg 2 * in a biological sample within a normal range of ionized Mg 2 *. 16. A method of claim 10-12 and 15, wherein the normal ionized magnesium ion concentration is approximately 0.53 to 0.67 mM for the biological sample of whole blood, serum or plasma. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the normal ionized magnesium ion concentration is approximately 1.10-1.23 for the biological sample of cerebral spinal fluid. 18. A method of mamtaining normal ionized Ca 2 * and normal ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in an individual in need of such maintenance comprising: administration of bioavailable calcium or bioavailable magnesium or Mg 2 * alone, or in combination, in a concentration sufficient to maintain a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 * in said individual. 5 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 * in whole blood, plasma, or serum of an adult is about 1 : 1 to about 2.5: 1. 0 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 * : ionized Mg 2 * in whole blood, plasma or serum of an adult is about 2:1. 21. The method of claim 18 wherein the normal molar ratio of 5 ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 * in whole blood, plasma or serum of an infant, neonate or child is about 1.9:1 to about 2.6:1. 22. The method of claim 18 wherein the normal molar ratio of o ionized Ca 2 *:ionized Mg 2 * in cerebral spinal fluid is about 1:10 to about 1.23. 23. A composition for prevention or treatment of magnesium deficiencies or magnesium imbalances in an individual, the composition comprising as an active ingredient bioavailable magnesium, wherein a concentration of 5 bioavailable magnesium in said composition is sufficient to maintain normal concentrations of ionized magnesium in the individual. 24. A composition for prevention or treatment of magnesium deficiencies or imbalances or calcium deficiencies or imbalances, or calcium/magnesium imbalances in an individual, the composition comprising as the active ingredients thereof, (A) bioavailable calcium; (B) bioavailable magnesium; and (C) wherein a concentration of calcium and magnesium in said composition is that amount sufficient to provide a normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 *. 25. A composition of claim 24 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 * in whole blood, plasma or serum of an adult is about 1 : 1 to about 2.5: 1. 26. A composition of claim 24 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca : ionized Mg 2 * in whole blood, plasma or serum of an adult is about 2:1. 27. A composition of claim 24 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2 * in whole blood, plasma or serum of a neonate, infant or child is about 1.9:1 to about 2.6:1. 28. A composition of claim 24 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *:ionized Mg 2 * in cerebral spinal fluid is about 1.10 to about 1.23. 29. A composition of claim 24 wherein the concentration of calcium is about 640 mg. 30. A composition of claim 24 wherein the concentration of magnesium is about 200 mg. 31. A dietary supplement comprising the composition of claim 23 or 24. 32. An infant formula useful in providing normal ionized Ca 2 * and normal ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in a neonate or infant, said formula comprising: conventional ingredients of the formula and the composition of claim 23 or 24. ° 33. The infant formula of Claim 32 wherein the conventional ingredients comprises: protein, carbohydrate, water, vitamins, minerals and an edible fat. c 34. A method of maintaining normal ionized Ca 2 * and normal ionized Mg 2 * concentrations in an individual in need of such maintenance comprising: administration of bioavailable calcium or bioavailable magnesium alone, or in combination, in a concentration sufficient to maintain a normal ionized Ca 2 * and normal ionized Mg 2 * levels. 35. Method of treating a patient with a magnesium deficiency comprising: (A) administration of bioavailable magnesium in an amount sufficient to attain a normal ionized magnesium level in the patient, followed by; (B) administration of bioavailable calcium in . an amount sufficient to attain a normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 * : ionized Mg 2 *. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 17 September 1992 (17.09.92); original claims 1-35 replaced by amended claims 1-33 (8 pages)] 1. A method for preparing biological samples for ionized Mg 2+ determinations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based 5 membrane comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, ^0 (B) mamtaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2+ . A method of claim 1 wherein the conditions are anaerobic. 15 3. A method for preparing biological samples for ionized Mg 2+ determinations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane comprising: 20 (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded from the biological sample, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded from the biological sample prior to measurement 25 of ionized Mg 2+ . 4. A method for determining ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in biological samples comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions 30 which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) mamtaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and • *-> atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2+ , and (C) measuring ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. 5. A method for determining ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in 5 biological samples comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions in 10 which O 2 is substantially excluded prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2+ , and (C) measuring ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. ■ j r 6. A method for determining ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in biological samples comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under anaerobic conditions, (B) maintaining the biological sample under anaerobic 20 conditions prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2+ , and (C) measuring ionized Mg 2 * concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. 5 7. A method for determining ionized Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios based on an ionized Ca 2+ concentration to an ionized Mg 2 * concentration in biological samples comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions 0 which mimmize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Ca 2+ or Mg 2 *, (C) measuring ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane, and (D) measuring ionized Ca 2+ concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane. 8. A method of claims 4-7, wherein the biological sample is whole blood, plasma, serum, cerebral spinal fluid, umbilical cord blood or amniotic 10 fluid. 9. A method of diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state in a patient, said disease state capable of being diagnosed or prognosed by a method for ^5 determining ionized magnesium ion concentrations in biological samples, the method comprising: (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, 0 (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2+ , (C) measuring ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a 5 selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane, and (D) comparing the ionized Mg 2+ concentration of the patient to a normal ionized Mg 2+ concentration in order to diagnose or prognose the disease state. 0 10. A method of diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state in a patient, said disease state capable of being diagnosed or prognosed by a method for determining ionized magnesium ion concentrations in biological samples, the method comprising: 5 (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions in which O 2 is substantially excluded prior to measurement of ionized Mg 2 *, (C) measuring ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane, and (D) comparing the ionized Mg 2+ concentration of the patient to a normal ionized Mg + concentration. 10 11. A method of diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state in a patient, said disease state capable of being diagnosed or prognosed by a method for determining ionized Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios in biological samples the method comprising: ι c (A) collecting the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and atmospheric air, (B) maintaining the biological sample under conditions which minimize or prevent exchange of gases between the biological sample and 20 atmospheric air prior to measurement of ionized Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ , (C) measuring ionized Mg 2+ concentrations using a selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane, (D) measuring ionized Ca 2+ concentrations using a 5 selective ion electrode with a neutral carrier based membrane, and (E) comparing the ionized Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ ratios of the patient to a normal ionized Ca 2 *:Mg 2+ ratio in order to diagnose or prognose the disease state. 0 12. A method of claim 9-11, wherein the disease state comprises cardiac diseases, hypertension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension lung diseases, abnormal pregnancy, head trauma, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or fetal growth retardation. 5 13. A method of maintaining normal ionized magnesium concentration in a patient in need of said maintenance comprising: administration of bioavailable magnesium in a concentration sufficient to maintain levels of ionized Mg 2+ in a biological sample within a normal range of ionized Mg 2 *. 14. A method of claim 9-11 or 13, wherein the normal ionized magnesium ion concentration is approximately 0.53 to 0.67 mM for the biological sample of whole blood, serum or plasma. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the normal ionized magnesium ion concentration is approximately 1.10-1.23 for the biological sample of cerebral spinal fluid. 16. A method of maintaining normal ionized Ca 2÷ and normal ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in an individual in need of such maintenance comprising: administration of bioavailable calcium or bioavailable magnesium or Mg 2+ alone, or in combination, in a concentration sufficient to maintain a normal physiological molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in said individual. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma, or serum of an adult is about 1: 1 to about 2.5:1. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma or serum of an adult is about 2: 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma or serum of an infant, neonate or child is about 1.9:1 to about 2.6:1. 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2 *: ionized Mg 2+ in cerebral spinal fluid is about 1: 10 to about 1.23. 21. A composition for prevention or treatment of magnesium deficiencies or magnesium imbalances in an individual, the composition comprising as an active ingredient bioavailable magnesium, wherein a concentration of bioavailable magnesium in said composition is sufficient to maintain normal concentrations of ionized magnesium in the individual. 22. A composition for prevention or treatment of magnesium deficiencies or imbalances or calcium deficiencies or imbalances, or calcium/magnesium imbalances in an individual, the composition comprising as the active ingredients thereof, (A) bioavailable calcium; (B) bioavailable magnesium; and (C) wherein a concentration of calcium and magnesium in said composition is that amount sufficient to provide a normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ . 23. A composition of claim 22 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma or serum of an adult is about 1: 1 to about 2.5:1. 24. A composition of claim 22 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma or serum of an adult is about 2: 1. 25. A composition of claim 22 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ : ionized Mg 2+ in whole blood, plasma or serum of a neonate, infant or child is about 1.9: 1 to about 2.6: 1. 26. A composition of claim 22 wherein the normal molar ratio of ionized Ca 2+ :ionized Mg 2+ in cerebral spinal fluid is about 1.10 to about 1.23. 27. A composition of claim 22 wherein the concentration of 5 calcium is about 640 mg. 28. A composition of claim 22 wherein the concentration of magnesium is about 200 mg. 10 29. A dietary supplement comprising the composition of claim 21 or 22. ]_5 30. An infant formula useful in providing normal ionized Ca 2+ and normal ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in a neonate or infant, said formula comprising: conventional ingredients of the formula and the composition of claim 21 or 22. 20 31. The infant formula of Claim 30 wherein the conventional ingredients comprises: protein, carbohydrate, water, vitamins, minerals and an edible fat. - ) 32. A method of maintaining normal ionized Ca 2+ and normal ionized Mg 2+ concentrations in an individual in need of such maintenance comprising: administration of bioavailable calcium or bioavailable magnesium alone, or in combination, in a concentration sufficient to maintain a normal ionized 30 Ca 2+ and normal ionized Mg 2+ levels. 33. Method of treating a patient with a magnesium deficiency comprising: _ _ (A) administration of bioavailable magnesium in an amount 35 sufficient to attain a normal ionized magnesium level in the patient, followed by; (B) administration of bioavailable calcium in an amount sufficient to attain a normal molar ratio of ionized Ca + : ionized Mg 2+ .

Inventors: ALTURA BELLA T, ALTURA BURTON M, ALTURA, BELLA, T., ALTURA, BURTON, M.
Applicants: UNIV NEW YORK, RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YOR
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61K33
IPC codes: A23L1, A61K31, A61K33, G01N33