Consumers increasingly are educated about the role minerals play in reducing the risk of specific diseases and maintaining good health. Some, such as calcium, are well known, but interest in other elements also grows.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in activating between 80 to 100 enzymes in the body and is key in general nerve and muscle function. “It helps maintain the integrity of cell membranes and is critical to proper heart function,” explains Ram Chaudhari, Ph. D., senior executive vice president, R&D, Fortitech, Schenectady, N.Y. Magnesium, which has a Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 400mg, occurs naturally in milk and vegetables, but many Americans do not consume sufficient quantities.