Minutus

Would I be correct, Irene, in saying that if Phos, Calc, and Mag were absorbed in the ratio of 4:2;1 then this ratio would pertain regardless of the amounts consumed. In other words, P and C given in any amounts would not be absorbed until the Mg factor was satisfied. Or putting it another way, if 1 unit of Mg were absorbed then 4 and 2 units of Phos and Calc would be absorbed; and if Phos and Calc were missing then the 1 unit of Mg would not be absorbed.
Jeff Tikari

There are some nutrients that actually *trigger* need for others. Magnesium and calcium do seem to have this relationship to each other; I don't know about phos.

Taking excess calcium, for instance, can actually *worsen* (or cause) a deficiency of magnesium.

No Jeff - there is no fixed ratio of absorption - just a more or less fixed ratio of excretion.

So too much of one item taken in - can force a depletion of another item as it MUST be excreted (in ratio with the one in excess) even if it is needed by the body.

So eating too much calcium - can cause depletion of magnesium.
There are some mechanisms to try to not absorb too much of an item in excess but in general the excretion ratio is the one likely to cause deficiencies when supplements are not balanced in proportIon to NEED. If you NEED more magnesium in general for some reason - stress uses it up, muscles use it up etc - then you need to swallow it in higher amounts than the excretion ratio - to meet a NEED that is out of proportion high. SO ....determining individual need is key - like homeopathy - nutrients need to be individually selected/matched for the individual.

Namaste,
Irene

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Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."