Calcium needs magnesium to fight brittle bones

In reply to your article on osteoporosis (WDDTY vol 14 no 2), you suggest that, to keep osteoporosis at bay after the menopause, most women should take a daily calcium supplement. However, like most doctors, you omit to mention that when calcium is supplemented, it should be accompanied by magnesium in the ratio of one or two parts calcium to one part magnesium. High doses of calcium taken without adequate amounts of magnesium can lead to calcification of tissues and joints, and the formation of kidney stones. – J. Willis, Leicester

WDDTY replies: See our Prevention page (p 10) this month for details of all the other nutrients which should be taken with calcium to prevent brittle bones.