<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> To Ron Hoggan and others, I had not intended to begin a discussion on the issue of magnesium supplementation, since this is a subject on which I am not an expert (if you take my advice, you will question my advice!!). Well done to Ron for questioning my comments. It was my intention to suggest that, as a principle we should be cautious as to which advice we accept. After one week of membership of this group I am in no doubt that celiacs are an extremely health-conscious group, well aware of the difficulties which exist in understanding their condition, and learning how best to deal with them. I felt that it is often hard for nonscientists to come to terms with the information available, and what concerned me was the thought that some who are struggling with information overload may find it difficult to know which information is reliable. My advice is to be cautious about that which is stated in terms that you do not understand, or which you believe to contain errors based on your current understanding. I considered the posting by Don Wiss to have aspects of both of the above, but you may hold a different opinion. Getting back to magnesium, yes, I believe malabsorption of the type that celiacs have may lead to deficiencies of many types, including magnesium, calcium, zinc (especially if vomiting and/or diarrhea are involved). I have searched the medical literature from 1986 to present, looking for material containing the key words celiac and magnesium, to put this issue to rest. Nothing specific, I'm afraid. The broad phrase that mineral deficiencies "are corrected on establishment of a GF diet" is the best I found. So, Ron Hoggan and Don Wiss' comments are pertinent, Mg supplements wont do any harm, and they might do some good. In future I shall be more circumspect! Phil Philip Sheard Developmental Biology Unit, Department of Physiology, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand. Ph (64 3) 479-7344 Fax (64 3) 479-7323