Faster Than a Speeding Bullet…. It can't leap tall buildings in a single bound, but magnesium does seem to be something of a super mineral. In recent e-Alerts we've seen how a good intake of magnesium may promote bone flexibility while also helping prevent type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Now here's another benefit to add to that list: Magnesium is essential for keeping teeth healthy. Everyone knows that calcium is necessary to help form the tooth enamel that protects against cavity development. But calcium can't do that job alone. In fact, without the assistance of magnesium, calcium can only manage to supply soft enamel, which isn't strong enough to battle
tooth decay. Magnesium and calcium together are essential to create hard enamel. Phosphorus also helps develop hard enamel, but studies have shown that the interior structure of teeth - below the protective enamel - can be weakened when too much calcium and phosphorus are present without magnesium. And guess what delivers calcium and phosphorus, but zero
magnesium? Milk. And what's worse, a high intake of milk may interfere with your body's metabolism of magnesium. In the e-alert "It's Elemental" (10/21/03) HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., recommended a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium intake. For most people, a 500 mg supplement of magnesium per day is a good idea because none of the dietary sources of magnesium (green leafy
vegetables, avocados, nuts and seeds, and whole grains) deliver large amounts. So while it may not be naturally abundant in the average diet, it's obvious that magnesium is a nutrient that's well worth going out of our way for in order to get adequate amounts. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
Sources:
"Magnesium for Strong Teeth" J.I. Rodale and Harold Taub, Magnesium,
The Nutrient That Could Change Your Life" The Magnesium Web Site,
mgwater.com
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