The RDA of this mineral—a number of the men still had below normal
Concentrations of the mineral’s ionized form. However, once these men were
Placed on diets containing four to five times the RDA of the mineral, the
Proportion of ionized magnesium in their blood climbed into the healthy
Range—despite no change in total magnesium concentrations.
What all this suggests, Altura says, is that whether someone is deficient
In the biologically active form of the mineral may not be detectable through
Measures of total magnesium. Indeed, his data on cardiac cells indicate that
If the concentrations of ionized magnesium falls 25 to 40 percent below
Normal—irrespective of the total amount of magnesium
Present—magnesium-dependent enzymes no longer function properly.
Where do we find magnesium?
Perhaps because
Magnesium plays such important roles in both animals and plants, it shows up in
All unprocessed foods. However, much of what we eat is processed, and once lost,
Magnesium is seldom replenished through intentional food fortification.
To enrich the diet naturally with this mineral, look to nuts, legumes, and
Unmilled grains. Removing the germ of cereals and the outer seed husks
Eliminates 80 percent of any magnesium present in the whole grain. Green
Vegetables and bananas are also relatively good sources of the mineral.