Nuts as important as milk for kid's bone

Most parents make sure that their children drink milk and eat other calcium-rich foods, as it helps build strong bones.

Most parents make sure that their children drink milk and eat other calcium-rich foods, as it helps build strong bones.

HT Image

Now, a new study has suggested that it would be beneficial if they also give their kids salmon, almonds and other foods high in magnesium - another nutrient that may play an important role in bone health.

"Lots of nutrients are key for children to have healthy bones. One of these appears to be magnesium," said lead author Steven A Abrams MD, FAAP, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

"Calcium is important, but, except for those children and adolescents with very low intakes, may not be more important than magnesium," he noted.

While it is known that magnesium is important for bone health in adults, few studies have looked at whether magnesium intake and absorption are related to bone mineral content in young children. This study aimed to fill that gap.

Researchers recruited 63 healthy children ages 4 to 8 years old who were not taking any multivitamins or minerals to participate in the study. Children were hospitalised overnight twice so their calcium and magnesium levels could be measured.

Participants filled out food diaries prior to hospitalisation. All foods and beverages served during their hospital stay contained the same amount of calcium and magnesium they consumed in a typical day based on the diaries. Results showed that the amounts of magnesium consumed and absorbed were key predictors of how much bone children had.