From: peter@tsto.co.uk   
      
   On 18/08/15 03:38, Grokman Grokman wrote:   
      
   > Next, your take on MgO doesn't have much leeway: If MgO is reactive,   
   > it's harmful (caustic), and therefore not safe or usable. If MgO does   
   > not become caustic/harmful, it's not reactive, and therefore   
   > dietarily useless.   
   >   
   > Yet, supplemental MgO is characterized as a poor Mg source, but not   
   > as a useless source, something on the order of 30% efficiency, altho   
   > it is not at all clear how they are measuring this.   
      
   Unclear indeed - usually about 30% of Mg++ ions which reach the gut are   
   absorbed, though large concentrations are less well absorbed.   
      
   It doesn't make any difference what the corresponding anion is -   
   chloride, citrate, carbonate, bicarbonate, whatever, as long as the Mg   
   is in the form of Mg++.   
      
   Though perhaps there is an intermediate form of MgO, somewhere between   
   reactive an unreactive, which will partially dissolve and which can be   
   used in pills. I do not know.   
      
      
   > I just chewed on an MgO tablet, and no caustic reaction, my   
   > gums/palate not shredded. You will probably say that is bec it was   
   > unreactive MgO, and if so, I've been snuckered for years, along with   
   > millions of other vite-heads.   
      
      
   Wouldn't surprise me at all. Snuckering vite-heads is THE favourite   
   occupation of people who want to sell them stuff - and it necessary,   
   'cos most of the stuff they sell is useless.   
      
   Not that Mg supplements are totally useless; combined with calcium it is   
   good for old folks, diabetics and alcoholics (and some young girls,   
   apparently).   
      
   But the rest of us don't benefit from Mg supplements.   
      
      
      
      
      
   -- Peter F   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)