SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “MINERALS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,117 records · Page 62Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Mineralization of normal and rachitic chick growth cartilage: vascular canals, cartilage calcification and osteogenesis.

This paper reviews recent work in the authors' laboratories that has led to new observations and thoughts concerning the mineralization of normal and rachitic chick growth cartilage. The proximal tibial growth cartilages of normal and rachitic chicks were rapidly frozen and prepared for SEM and biochemical studies. Using a scanning microfluorimetric technique we showed that at the mineralization front of normal and rachitic cartilage there is an abrupt change in chondrocyte metabolism. Thus cells in this region exhibited an increase in NADH and oxidative metabolism. In rickets, there was a decrease in the reduced pyridine nucleotide content of each of the zones. The reversal in chondrocyte metabolism was not due to low oxygen tension. SEM observations indicated that this region of cartilage was well supplied with vascular channels; moreover, mineral was first seen deposited in matrix in close proximity to the blood supply. Indeed these vascular channels appeared to be a basic architectural feature of normal cartilage, although disorganized in the rachitic state. The morphological studies also showed that gaps existed in the continuity of the mineral phase in normal cartilage. Although the rachitic cartilage does mineralize, discontinuities in the mineral distribution are much more severe, with the general failure of fusion of adjacent mineral clusters. These structures would serve as pathways for transport of nutritional factors and gases to chondrocytes that are distant from the vascular channels. Observation of hypertrophic cells reinforced the view that some osteoblasts represented a terminal stage in the maturation of chondrocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

[Absenteeism due to sickness in coal miners].

During two consecutive years sickness absence of 8005 miners from two pit coal mines (A and B) of different geological structure and mechanization degree was analysed. It was found that in mind "A" 37% had no sick leaves, whereas in mine "B"--28%. Absence rate was similar in both mines (though the miners' work and living conditions differed), i.e. 5.21% in mine "A", and 5.98% in mine "B". Thus work and living conditions do not determine general sickness absence rate. The highest absence in both mines was that of miners frequently falling ill for a long time (approx. 5.5% miners). For the group the number of work disablement days was 28.8 and 26.7, respectively. Underground miners' sickness absence was higher than that of surface workers, the rate being 3.8 and 4.0 and 1.1 and 2.1, respectively. The highest absence was that of miners travelling to work on motor cycles (7.1 and 7.3) and bicycles (6.4 and 6.7). Those working regularly in the first shift were more frequently absent from work than those working in different shifts. Miners living in worse conditions had higher absence rate than those living in flats of a higher standard. Also elderly employees and those having children represented a higher absence rate. The highest absence rate was that of workers having four children, the lowest--that of single persons. In addition, specific absence rate of men, especially due to respiratory and circulatory system diseases, was found to be enhanced by smoking. Absence rate of smokers was 2--3 times higher than that of non-smokers.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed1995

Micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, and copper): are mineral supplements needed for athletes?

Mineral elements, including magnesium, zinc, and copper, are required by the body in modest amounts for the maintenance of health and for the development of optimal physiological function. For athletes, adequate amounts of these minerals are required for physical training and performance. Studies of athletes during training, as compared to nontraining control subjects, indicate the potential for increased losses of minerals in sweat and urine. Some studies report suboptimal intakes of minerals, particularly among athletes who are actively attempting to lose weight to meet standards for competition. However, most athletes consume diets that provide adequate amounts of minerals to meet population standards. Athletes should be counseled to consume foods with high nutrient density rather than to rely on mineral supplements. General use of mineral supplements can alter physiological function and impair health.

Copper↗

PubMed1995

Bone mineral density in relation to medical and lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis in premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women in general practice.

BACKGROUND: Interest in the prevention of osteoporosis is increasing and thus there is a need for an acceptable osteoporosis prevention programme in general practice. AIM: A study was undertaken to identify a cohort of middle-aged women attending a general practice who would be eligible for a longitudinal study looking at bone mineral density, osteoporosis and the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy. This study aimed to describe the relationship between medical and lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis and the initial bone density measurements in this group of women. METHOD: A health visitor administered a questionnaire to women aged between 48 and 52 years registered with a Belfast general practice. The main outcome measures were menopausal status, presence of medical and lifestyle risk factors and bone mineral density measurements. RESULTS: A total of 358 women our of 472 (76%) took part in the study which was conducted in 1991 and 1992. A highly significant difference was found between the mean bone mineral density of premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women within the narrow study age range, postmenopausal women having the lowest bone mineral density. A significant relationship was found between body mass index and bone mineral density, a greater bone mineral density being found among women with a higher body mass index. Risk factors such as smoking and sedentary lifestyle were common (reported by approximately one third of respondents) but a poor relationship was found between these two and all the other risk factors and bone mineral density in this age group. CONCLUSION: Risk of osteoporosis cannot be identified by the presence of risk factors in women aged between 48 and 52 years. In terms of a current prevention strategy for general practice it would be better to take a population-based approach except for those women known to be at high risk of osteoporosis: women with early menopause or those who have had an oophorectomy.

Bone Density↗

PubMed1995

Bone mineral density changes in the forearm after immobilization.

This study determined the early natural history of disuse osteoporosis in the ulna and radius. Six women and 2 men (mean age, 48.5 years; range, 35-60 years) having surgery on their wrists or hands had bone mineral density determined by single energy xray absorptiometry at 4 sites of the distal radius and ulna before operation, at cast removal (mean, 4.9 weeks after surgery), and after an average of 4.7 weeks of remobilization and hand therapy. A control group of 4 men and 4 women (mean age, 35.6 years; range, 24-46 years) had bone mineral density measurements of both forearms taken initially and again 5 weeks later. The patients had significant loss in bone mineral density at the ulna and distal sites of the forearm after 4.9 weeks of immobilization. Loss of bone mineral density continued at all 4 sites even after 4.7 weeks of remobilization and hand therapy. Bone mineral density increased significantly at the ultradistal radius of the contralateral forearm (which was not operated on) after 4.9 weeks, but this gain was no longer significant after 4.7 weeks of remobilization of the surgically treated forearm, suggesting that increased activity of the nonimmobilized forearm increased bone mineral density at certain sites. No changes in bone mineral density were seen in the control group. Immobilization of the forearm after hand or wrist surgery significantly decreases bone mass in the distal radius and ulna.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Tibial implant mineralization in rats is inversely related to serum osteogenic capacity.

In this study, the correlation between the mineralization of healing bone defects and the osteogenic capacity of the serum was tested in rats. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that during callus formation, some serum factors are consumed. The bone defects in the tibia contained two different implant types, and all sustained juxta-implant fractures. One implant type was the coral Porites and the other was its recrystallized version (Interpore-200), which exhibit different mineralization rates during fracture healing. Use of these two implant types permitted generation of an expanded mineralization spectrum suitable for regression analysis. Mineralization was assessed by measuring the mineral content change (MCC) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteogenic capacity of sera of the implanted rats was assessed by its ability to increase specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in stromal cell cultures. The MCC was followed for 5 weeks in the Porites and Interpore-200 implants, and it was found that the MCC in Interpore-200 implants exceeded that of the Porites implants. Thus, the two implant types generated a wide mineralization spectrum. Induction of ALP in stromal cell culture was lower for sera derived from rats implanted with Interpore-200 than for sera derived from rats implanted with Porites. Two weeks after implantation, the change in serum ALP induction correlated inversely with the MCC of bone defects. This indicates that during callus formation, the mineralization rate is reciprocally related to the serum osteogenic capacity. The decreased serum osteogenic capacity may be interpreted by the hypothesis that callus formation consumes certain serum osteogenic factors.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1994

[Bone mineral density of the femoral neck, a cross-sectional study of normal values in 827 French women aged 36 to 86 years].

The need for determining country-specific reference bone mineral density values has been emphasized. The effects of age and time since menopause on femoral neck bone mineral density in healthy women are still insufficiently documented. The goal of this study was to determine age-specific femoral neck bone mineral density values and postmenopausal bone loss rates in French women. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure lumbar spine, femoral neck, and Ward's triangle bone mineral densities in 827 women aged 36 to 86 years. Inclusion criteria included a negative history for established or suspected osteoporosis. A cross-sectional, retrospective design was used. Lumbar spine bone mineral densities were similar to reference values reported previously in healthy subjects from other countries. Consequently, we considered that the femoral neck values that we obtained were those of a healthy population. Results were as follows: 1) The annual rate of bone loss at the femur increased within one or two years after menopause (to 1.5% and 2% at the femoral neck and Ward's triangle, respectively), remained high for 12-13 years, then declined (0.8% and 1.2%, respectively). 2) Femoral bone loss was slow before the age of 55 years (0.2% and 0.5% per year) and continued at a faster rate thereafter (1.3% and 1.7% per year). Our study provides normal reference femoral bone mineral density values for French women. Our data confirm that age and time since the menopause have a substantial influence on bone mineral density, not only at the lumbar spine, but also at the femoral neck.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1994

Effect of orthotopic liver transplantation on bone mineral content and serum vitamin D metabolites in infants and children with chronic cholestasis.

Almost all infants and children with chronic cholestasis have osteopenia. We evaluated the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation on bone mineral content and serum 25(OH)-vitamin D-[25(OH)D]-of nine infants and children (five girls; age, 6 to 21 mo at the time of orthotopic liver transplantation) with end-stage liver disease resulting from chronic cholestasis. We hypothesized that after orthotopic liver transplantation, decreased bone mineral content will recover and the serum 25(OH)D level will either normalize or remain normal in those who were previously vitamin D deficient or sufficient, respectively. All had subnormal bone mineral content before transplant. On long-term follow-up (> 4 mo) of seven patients, bone mineral content normalized in all between 6.5 and 19 mo after transplant, with a mean of 11.2 +/- 4.5 mo. In six patients with normal serum 25(OH)D levels before orthotopic liver transplantation, the serum 25(OH)D levels had declined markedly 1 to 2 mo after transplant, followed by return to normal by 3 to 6 mo. Low serum 25(OH)D levels (< 15 ng/ml) in three patients before orthotopic liver transplantation normalized after transplant. Although there was no correlation between bone mineral content and serum 25(OH)D level before transplant, sustained normal serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels preceded or accompanied normalization of bone mineral content in the seven patients available for long-term follow-up. We conclude that (a) in infants and children younger than 2 yr with chronic cholestasis, bone mineral content normalizes approximately 11 mo after orthotopic liver transplantation. This normalization is preceded by a sustained period of normal serum 25(OH)D levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone Density↗

PubMed1995

[Effect of calcitonin treatment on bone mineralization in patients with multiple myeloma].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of half-year treatment of bone mineral disturbances with calcitonin in the patients with multiple myeloma. Thirty five patients (11 men and 24 women) were examined. They were treated among other with prednisone. Nineteen patients (15 patients with normal bone mineral density of lumbar spine and femoral neck and 4 with low bone mineral density who could not be treated with calcitonin) were treated only with chemotherapy. Other 16 patients with low bone mineral density have received also calcitonin (100 units subcutaneous daily) with vitamin D3 and calcium carbonate. Bone mineral density was evaluated with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in lumbar spine and femoral neck. After treatment with calcitonin there was more pronounced influence on bone mineral density in lumbar spine and femoral neck than after treatment with chemotherapy only but the difference was not statistically significant. Because the bone mineral disturbances in the patients with multiple myeloma is the big problem there is a need for further and longer evaluation of the treatment of these disturbances.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[Effect of bisphosphonates (HEBP, CL2MBP) on the process of biological mineralization in fresh bone and bone tissue de novo as a result of experimental osteogenesis induction in guinea pigs].

It is known from the literature that bisphosphonates inhibit mineralization process in skeletal tissues. To study in vivo the effects of HEBP (etidronate) and Cl2MBP (clodronate) both on preexisting bone mineral as well as on the early stages of the mineralization process the experimental model of heterotopical bone induction was chosen. Urinary bladder mucosa was used as an inductor of osteogenesis. Using this model it is possible to compare the effects of bisphosphonates on preexisting mineral on ortothopic bones as well as on the early stages of mineral deposition in the newly formed bone induced in heterotopic sites. HEBP and Cl2MBP doesn't inhibit heterotopic bone induction, but HEBP deeply inhibits the mineralization process; the small amount of deposited mineral does not contain crystalline fraction.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effects of resistance training on bone mineral content and density in adolescent females.

Postmenarcheal adolescent girls performed resistance training (RT) for 26 weeks, which consisted of 4 sets of 13 exercises of varying and progressive intensity performed 3 times weekly on hydraulic resistance machines. Bone mineral was assessed by dual photon absorptiometry. Resistance training resulted in significant increases (pre-post) in biceps curl (21.4%), triceps press (21.5%), knee extension (25.1%), knee flexion (52.8%), and squat press (21.5%) strength. There were no significant differences between RT and control (C) groups initially, and no significant effects of training (pre-post) for total body (TB) or lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral content (BMC) or bone mineral density (BMD). The largest increases in LS bone mineral occurred during the first 13 weeks, and although not significant, the increases in LS BMC (g) (3.9 vs. 5.9%), LS BMC (g.cm-1) (2.6 vs. 5.9%), LS areal BMD (g.cm-2) (1.48 vs. 4.75%), and LS bone mineral apparent density (BMAD, g.cm-3) (0.47 vs. 4.13%) were greater in the RT compared with the C group during this period. In conclusion, resistance training resulted in a trend towards a transient increase in LS bone mineral during the first 13 weeks, but despite significant strength gains, there were no significant changes in TB or LS bone mineral after 26 weeks of training.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Pattern of fall and bone mineral density measurement in hip fractures.

The objectives of this study were to determine the pattern of fall and the bone mineral density distribution in hip fracture patients. The study was carried out on 260 patients (204 females and 56 males) with hip fractures over a period of three years (i.e. 1991 to 1993). The patients were all above 50 years old and the average age was 77.7 years for women and 76.8 years for men. Information relating to their falls and subsequent hip fractures were collected. Bone mineral density of the contralateral intact femoral neck was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Model XR26, Norland Corporation, USA). Bone mineral density in the patients with hip fracture (mean value 0.55 g/cm2) was significantly lower than the fracture threshold value of 0.64 g/cm2. Falls which would result in direct impact on the hip such as sideways, backwards and straight down formed 95.6% of the cohort. Forty-six (17.7%) of the patients fell from a seated or lying position and their bone mineral density were significantly lower (i.e. 0.45 g/cm2). Two hundred and twenty-three (85.7%) of the patients fell on hard surfaces such as ceramic, marble and concrete. Two hundred and twelve (81.5%) of the falls occurred indoors and 153 (58.8%) while walking. Low bone mineral density and falls are important risk factors in hip fracture in the elderly population. Patients with low bone mineral density can sustain a hip fracture from mild trauma such as falling from a seated or lying position. It is therefore necessary to monitor bone mineral density values as well as to prevent or minimise the risk of falling.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1997

Unexpected rates of chromosomal instabilities and alterations of hormone levels in Namibian uranium miners.

A common problem in determining the health consequences of radiation exposure is factoring out other carcinogenic influences. The conditions in Namibia provide a test case for distinguishing the effects of long-term low-dose exposure to uranium from the other environmental factors because of good air quality and the lack of other industries with negative health effects. Present records indicate a much higher prevalence of cancer among male workers in the open-pit uranium mine in Namibia compared with the general population. The objective of the present study was to determine whether long-term exposure to low doses of uranium increases the risk of a biological radiation damage which would lead to malignant diseases and to derive a dose-response model for these miners. To investigate this risk, we measured uranium excretion in urine, neutrophil counts and the serum level of FSH, LH and testosterone and analyzed chromosome aberrations in whole blood cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization. A representative cohort of 75 non-smoking, HIV-negative miners was compared to a control group of 31 individuals with no occupational history in mining. A sixfold increase in uranium excretion among the miners compared to the controls was recorded (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we determined a significant reduction in testosterone levels (P < 0.008) and neutrophil count (P < 0.004) in miners compared to the unexposed controls. A threefold increase in chromosome aberrations in the miners compared to the nonexposed controls was recorded (P < 0.0001). Most remarkably, cells with multiple aberrations such as "rogue" cells were observed for the first time in miners; these cells had previously been found only after short-term high-dose radiation exposure, e.g. from the Hiroshima atomic bomb or the Chernobyl accident. We conclude that the miners exposed to uranium are at an increased risk to acquire various degrees of genetic damage, and that the damage may be associated with an increased risk for malignant transformation. As expected, the chronic radiation injury of the hematopoietic system resulted in low neutrophil counts. Also, low hormone levels probably reflect damage to the gonadal endocrine system.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Intestinal calcium absorption from mineral water.

Little is known about the bioavailability of calcium in water and various beverages. Some mineral waters contain large amounts of calcium that could compensate for insufficient consumption of dairy products. The fractional intestinal absorption of calcium (FCA) was measured in 12 healthy adult volunteers, using a trace dose of radiocalcium and 200 mg of calcium carrier, part of which was calcium contained in mineral water. Measurements were performed in fasting subjects consuming a standard breakfast. In all the subjects, three mineral waters with a calcium concentration of 10.4, 78, and 467 mg/l, respectively, were tested. Calcium absorption occurred with the same kinetics for each of the mineral waters tested, and within 2 h of the oral dose, equilibrium was reached between absorbed calcium and calcium remaining in the gastrointestinal tract, which resulted in a constant FCA value. This level comprising between 34.1 and 37.0% was independent of the daily calcium consumption and the chemical content of the mineral water. In conclusion, calcium contained in mineral waters in available for intestinal absorption. In a given normal subject, the only rate-limiting factor for FCA is the amount of total calcium given with foods and drinks. Mineral waters containing calcium are recommended as a supplemental source of calcium to achieve optimal calcium requirements, especially in aged people with lactose intolerance.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tentative explanatory variable of lung dust concentration in gold miners exposed to crystalline silica.

INTRODUCTION: The first objective of the study was to investigate the relationships between quantitative lung mineral dust burdens, dust exposure history, and pathological fibrosis grading in silicotic workers. The second objective was to evaluate the association between particle size parameters, concentration of retained silica particles and the severity of the silicosis. Sixty-seven paraffin-embedded lung tissue samples of silicotic patients were analyzed. The cases of silicosis included 39 non-lung cancer patients and 28 patients with lung cancer. All of the cases were gold miners in the Province of Ontario, Canada. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Particles, both angular and fibrous, were extracted from lung parenchyma by a bleach digestion method, mounted on copper microscopic grids by a carbon replica technique, and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Quartz concentration was also determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) on a silver membrane filter after the extraction from the lung parenchyma. RESULTS: Total particles, silica, clay, and quartz also increase in concentration with increased age at death, although the trends are not statistically significant. Quartz concentration has a statistically significant correlation with the silicosis severity score (r = +0.45, p < 0.001), with the geometric mean concentration increasing from 2.24 micrograms/mg in the group having silicosis severity score less than 1 to 4.80 micrograms/mg in group with highest score. Quartz concentration is the only significant explanatory variable of the silicosis severity with a regression coefficient of +0.41 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among several dust exposure variables extracted from the work history of the miners, the calendar year of first exposure was the primary significant determinant of lung retained total particles, silica, and clay minerals, except for quartz. A statistically significant linear relationship between lung quartz concentration and silicosis severity in the gold miners was observed (p < 0.001). Among the several types of lung particles detected, quartz was the only significant determinant of the silicosis severity in the gold miners in this study and vice versa, although it explained only 20% of the variation in the severity. This study suggested no significant linear relationship between the duration of dust exposure and the lung burden of any particle types in the gold miners.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Low back pain syndrome in coal miners: preliminary results of an epidemiological study].

The objective of the study was to determine the occurrence of low-back-pain syndrome in coal-miners and to compare the results obtained in the study and control groups. In two groups of subjects (624 employees of the 'Staszic' and 598 employees of the 'Sośnica' mines) the survey and medical assessment were performed and available medical records reviewed. Two groups were similar in terms of age and employment duration, however, working conditions in the 'Sośnica' mine were more difficult, and associated with a larger physical burden. All workers were divided into three groups according to the workload: workers with 'heavy workload' (35.9%), 'medium workload' (37.6%), and 'light workload'. The control group consisted of 449 policemen matched by age and the number of years preceding their retirement. The study revealed that low-back-pain syndrome occurred in 66.4% and 62.2% of the 'Sośnica' and 'Staszic' miners, respectively, while in policemen this figure accounted for only 7.5%. Among miners and policemen, a group with the employment ranging from 10 to 20 years was identified. The group comprised 730 miners, including 179 persons with light workload, and 142 policemen. Law-back-pain occurred in 61.6% of miners and in 14.1% of policemen. In miners the syndrome was associated mainly with lifting heavy objects or with an inappropriate forced position of the body at work. The preliminary results of the epidemiological study indicated that low-back-pain syndrome occurred more frequently in coal-miners than in policemen.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Mineral-driven molecular signatures of energy metabolism underpin sperm motility in buffalo.

The success of spermatogenesis depends on the interplay of various biomolecules that ultimately determine sperm quality. In this study, RNA-seq analysis of frozen-thawed buffalo sperm (n = 8) revealed the presence of 263 mineral-associated genes (>1 FPKM) in high (n = 4) and 181 in low motile (n = 4) sperm groups. Among these, 177 mineral-associated genes were commonly expressed between them, and the majority were upregulated (>1 fold), LOC102391588 (ncRNA; 37-fold), ZNF699 (26.5-fold), MYZAP (13-fold), etc., in the high motile group. The expression of selected mineral-associated genes was validated. The top enriched functions in commonly expressed genes were regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (FDR: 4.7 × 10⁻2; ZNF331, ZNF692, ZNF180, etc.), followed by spermatogenesis (FDR: 2.9 × 10⁻2; CALR3, ADAM18, ADAM29, etc.), proton transmembrane transport (FDR: 4.0 × 10⁻2; ATP6V0E1, ATP1A4, ATP6V1B2, etc.) and flagellated sperm motility (FDR: 2.3 × 10⁻1; CATSPERD, EFCAB6, CABS1, etc.). Additionally, the chromatin remodeling pathway (FDR: 3 × 10⁻2; PTP4A1, PPM1A, DUSP1, etc.) emerged as the most significant and may suggest that these minerals influence genome packaging and sperm functionality. Mineral-associated genes were predominantly associated with zinc (49%), followed by calcium (20%), phosphorus (10%), iron (5%), sodium (2%), potassium (2%), copper (1%) and other trace elements (11%). Although the current study uses frozen-thawed sperm, the findings indicate that mineral-associated genes are crucial for promoting membrane stability, energy production, motility and chromatin integrity, which may contribute to the superior fertilizing ability of sperm.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Variation in the mineral content of commercially available bottled waters: implications for health and disease.

PURPOSE: Although the annual consumption of bottled water in North America is 12.7 gallons per capita, little is known about the potential health effects of these waters. We reviewed the amounts of major minerals found in commercially available bottled waters, the recommended daily allowances for these minerals, and their beneficial and harmful effects. METHODS: We obtained the mineral content of various commercially available bottled waters in North America and Europe from The Pocket Guide to Bottled Water. We then conducted a Medline search to identify articles examining the beneficial and harmful effects of magnesium, sodium, and calcium. RESULTS: Great variation exists in the mineral content of commercially available bottled waters. Among the bottled waters that we reviewed, the magnesium content ranges from 0 to 126 mg per liter, the sodium content ranges from 0 to 1,200 mg per liter, and the calcium content ranges from 0 to 546 mg per liter. Epidemiologic and clinical studies suggest that magnesium may reduce the frequency of sudden death, that sodium contributes to the occurrence of hypertension, and that calcium may help prevent osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The ideal bottled water should be rich in magnesium and calcium and have a low sodium content. Because there is great variation in the mineral content of commercially available bottled waters, the actual mineral content of bottled water should be considered when selecting one for consumption.

Calcium↗