Robert Ashley

Dear Doctor: Much is said about calcium and vitamin D, but what about magnesium? As I understand it, that's a crucial part of the bone-building equation. Should people be taking magnesium supplements?Dear Reader: The element magnesium is necessary for bone health, yes, but also for normal heart function and nerve conduction and to maintain a proper calcium balance in the body.

Cut down on french fry intake for better health, study suggests Dear Doctor: French fries are absolutely one of my favorite foods, but because of their calorie content, I try to limit them to twice a week. Now I just read that eating them even that rarely is linked to a higher risk of death. Just how problematic are a couple of servings of fries each week? Dear Reader: In my younger days, I also loved french fries.