Magnesium Carbonate In Pan Masala – Free PDF Download

Why in news?

• On request of Bihar govt, 15 brands of pan masala were tested.
• Adulterants like magnesium carbonate and nicotine were found by National Tobacco Testing Laboratory (NTTL) at National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida
• Bihar govt. has urged FSSAI (Centre) to ban these Pan masalas.

Pan/Gutka/Pan masala

• Tobacco containing Pan Masalas are called Gutka
• The similarity in packaging and marketing of gutkha and pan masala is no accident.
• Pan masala initiates unwary people and gets them to set foot on the slippery slope of addiction.
• Magnesium carbonate is added to increase the shelf life of the product.

Why are these products dangerous?

• Pan masala itself is carcinogenic and addition of nicotine + Magnesium carbonate makes it more addictive and poisonous
• India is the third-largest tobacco producing nation and second-largest consumer of tobacco world-wide.
• Oral cancer is one of the three most prevalent cancers on the Indian subcontinent, with one lakh new cases and a mortality rate of fifty percent within the first twelve months after diagnosis.

Recent states to ban Gutka and/or Pan masala

• West Bengal
• Rajasthan
• Bihar
• Maharashtra
• Uttarakhand

MAGNESIUM CARBONATE

• Magnesium carbonate is a magnesium salt with formula MgCO3 Its hydrated forms, particularly the di-, tri-, and tetrahydrates occur as minerals.
• Also known as magnesite.

Uses

• An important ore for magnesium
• Used as a fertilizer
• Food Additive
• Drying agent on athletes’ palms in rock climbing, gymnastics and weight lifting.
• Used in the manufacture of materials capable of withstanding very high temperatures.
• Used to produce carbon dioxide
• Remedy for heartburn and upset stomach caused by overproduction of acid in the stomach
• Magnesium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form carbon dioxide and magnesium chloride thus neutralizing excess acid in the stomach

Role in Human body

• Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
• Magnesium is necessary for the formation of bone and teeth It helps to maintain

1.  normal nerve and muscle function,
2.   supports a healthy immune system,
3.   keeps the heartbeat steady,
4.   adjust blood glucose levels.

• It aids in the production of energy and protein.
• Bone contains about half of the body’s magnesium. It helps bones remain strong.
• Recommended intake – 300 to 400 mg per day
• When calcium enters heart muscle cells, it stimulates the muscle fibers to contract.
• Magnesium counters this effect, helping these cells relax

Excess Magnesium in body – Hypermagnesemia

• Symptoms of magnesium toxicity (Hypermagnesemia) include
• Muscle weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Impaired breathing
• When Hypermagnesemia is severe it may cause depression, and lethargy , extreme muscle weakness, extreme hypotension, arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest – the heart can stop beating.

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