Q: I have been hearing a lot about magnesium lately. Why is it so important and how much should I take? – Kim V., Goleta, GA Lower Magnesium in American Diet A: Magnesium intake in the average American diet has declined dramatically in the past 100 years. Boiling vegetables causes a 50-percent magnesium content loss. Brown rice loses 80 percent of its magnesium … [Read more...] about Magnesium: How Much do I Need?