Fluoride binds up magnesium. It is an antagonist. That is how it inhibits enzyme activity. All the benefits that magnesium provides in mitochondrial energy production, are dampened down and reversed by fluoride. To get the fluoride out of tap water use a reverse osmosis filter or ion-exchange filter. Always ask the filter manufacturer if they have laboratory tests to show their filters really do get the fluoride out and in what quantity, as it’s a small molecule and very stubborn to remove. You can also drink filtered rain water or bottled spring water.
When water is filtered it becomes ‘empty’ water without minerals and usually has a pH slightly under 7. It is advisable to recharge by adding the mineral electrolytes back in with food grade magnesium chloride flakes (approx. one pinch per litre) and optional extra bicarbonate of soda (8th teaspoon per litre) to make a balanced alkaline mineral drinking water. This makes the water more hydrating because of the alkaline electrical charge. Cells love it and take up more of the charged water, which helps them to flush out more wastes.
If your children don’t like the taste of water that is very sad! Help them to get used to drinking plenty of water for best health. A number of study reviews are confirming that the increase in water consumption by school children helps to prevent overweight. [8] If you need to flavour the water with something try a couple pieces of fruit as infusions in a water bottle. Over time hopefully they will just go for straight mineral water.
Growth spurts
Children often go through growth spurts where they can experience bone and joint pain. Bones are made of many minerals, including calcium, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, boron, strontium, silica, iron and very importantly – magnesium. Magnesium combined with phosphorous helps build strength as well as shock-absorbing ability. If these minerals are low, despite having plenty of calcium, the bones can become brittle and break more easily. In elderly people this is called osteoporosis. Calcium itself is chalk-like in structure and breaks easily. We need a composite of many minerals for the healthiest bone structure.
In children a lack of magnesium can cause inhibition of bone growth and slowness to thrive. These children tend to have smaller statures. To ‘beef’ up the minerals in their diet make more vegetable with meat/bone soups (simmered slow and low or pressure cooked). The bone marrow is very rich in minerals and gelatine, which greatly assists digestion.
These soups also support the micro biome of the gut which helps us to digest food, and looks after the immune system and gut lining. Our beneficial gut bacteria also need lots of magnesium power! If you are not sure of correct diet for ultra-sensitive digestive systems then consult a nutritionist or naturopath.
Teenage blues
Teenagers often suffer from magnesium deficiency because of their rapid growth spurts, sporting and other physical activities, pressure at school and hormonal changes. It can show up as an easily irritated and frustrated temperament, pimply skin and depression. These symptoms are a sure sign of low magnesium status. Excessive stress, adrenalin and hyperactivity are a sign that magnesium may be low.
The first thing to do is to examine diet. Make sure to avoid processed and chemicalised junk foods, sugar and canola or margarine products. These lead to magnesium deficit. Drink adequate mineral water and eat plenty of fresh vegetables with hormone-free meats and eggs. The GAPS diet by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride is excellent for very sensitive digestive systems (actually for everyone!).