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of dairy products, the average calcium intake is about Magnesium Absorption and Dosage 1,000 mg. The higher the calcium intake, especially in the A solution to this problem is to lower calcium levels in form of cow's milk products (except butter), the higher the the blood by keeping up a high intake of magnesium. incidence of osteoporosis.’ However, any excess magnesium is quickly lost with the Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels are kept in rine. Therefore, to keep calcium in the bones and teeth a seesaw balance by the parathyroid hormones. If calcium rather than around the joints and in the soft tissues, we goes up, magnesium goes down and vice versa. With a need a steady supply of magnesium. low magnesium intake, calcium goes out of the bones to Traditionally, magnesium in our diet has been mainly in increase the calcium levels in tissues, while a high jgnic form and is converted in the stomach into magnesium intake causes calcium to go out of the tissues magnesium chloride or it binds to protein, especially and into the bones. A high phosphorus intake without a chlorophyll, and then is broken down, ending up for high calcium or magnesium intake causes calcium to leach _ absorption as magnesium chloride or chelated magnesium. from the bones and then leave the body with the urine. A Therefore, when supplementing, we may as well use high phosphorus intake with high calcium and magnesium _ magnesium chloride directly instead of magnesium oxide leads to bone mineralisation. or hydroxide and other forms that require additional Dr Lewis B. Barnett, an orthopaedic surgeon, practised hydrochloric acid. in two different US counties with very different mineral Magnesium chloride has another advantage: it provides levels in soil and water. In Dallas County, Texas, with a ions of magnesium and chloride which are both required high calcium and low magnesium concentration in the to stimulate the activity of digestive enzymes and produce water supply, osteoporosis and hydrochloric acid in the stomach. hip fractures were very common, Magnesium sulphate, also while in Hereford, Texas, with Therefore to keep calcium known as Epsom salts, is poorly high magnesium and low ’ absorbed and therefore attracts calcium levels, these were nearly in the bones and teeth water in the colon and functions absent. In Dallas County, the oo as a laxative. magnesium content of bones was rather than around the joints If fruit and vegetables are 0.5 per cent, while in Hereford it and in the soft tissues, grown in mineral-rich soil, then was 1.76 per cent. In another these foods contain a high comparison, the magnesium we need a steady supply of content of minerals, including content in bones of osteoporosis : magnesium. As the plant grows, sufferers was 0.62 per cent, while magnesium. it converts the inorganic minerals in healthy individuals it was 1.26 into organic minerals and these per cent.‘ then bind to acids like citric acid The same applies for healthy teeth as for healthy bones. and are easily absorbed in this form. While most forms of In a New Zealand study, it was found that caries-resistant magnesium have a good bioavailability, chelates with teeth had on average twice the amount of magnesium as —_ amino acids and magnesium bound to fruit acids also have caries-prone teeth. The average concentration of a beneficial alkalising effect on the body. magnesium phosphate in bones is given as about 1.0 per The efficiency of magnesium absorption varies inversely cent, in teeth about 1.5 per cent, in elephant tusks 2.0 per —_ with the quantity of magnesium intake. Magnesium is cent and in the teeth of carnivorous animals that crush absorbed into the body primarily from the ileum of the bones it is 5.0 per cent. In regard to the strength of bones gmal]__ intestine. When consuming the RDI and teeth, think of calcium as chalk and magnesium as (Recommended Dietary Intake) of magnesium, which is superglue. The magnesium superglue binds and an average of between 360 and 410 mg a day, we absorb transforms the chalk into superior bones and teeth. approximately 50 per cent of magnesium, but when One patient reported to Walter Last: "My doctor rang ingesting sub-optimal quantities we may absorb as much Friday afternoon re my bone density scan and wanted to ag 75 per cent. Absorption decreases rapidly when more know what I have been doing over the last two years. I than 200 mg is consumed at one time, therefore it's asked why, and she said that by looking at the 2005 and _ important to take magnesium in divided doses throughout 2006 scans, she could see with the 2008 scan that Thad the day. improved. She couldn't believe it, and said that normally Magnesium chloride can be added to food or drink, like when you are in the osteoporosis range you don't come out —_juice, mostly to disguise the salty-bitter taste. I mix it with of it."° That doctor was actually saying that she knew the juice myself, a quarter of a teaspoon at a time, and it is accepted treatment of high calcium supplementation does —_ fine. However, it's a matter of personal preference. You not work but is used anyway. can start with a few drops in your meal or drink and This patient had reversed the medical treatment by _s]owly build up to half a teaspoon twice a day— lowering calcium and greatly increasing her intake of amounting to 600 mg of magnesium chloride daily. magnesium (in addition to boron). When dealing with factors such as stress, advancing age, Therefore, to keep calcium in the bones and teeth magnesium. 22 ¢ NEXUS rather than around the joints and in the soft tissues, we need a steady supply of www.nexusmagazine.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2008