Expert consensus -- Overview of global dietary calcium and magnesium intakes and allowances / S.A. Atkinson, R Costello and J.M. Donohue -- The mineral composition of water and its contribution to calcium and magnesium intake / C.N. Ong, A.C. Grandjean and R.P. Heaney -- Identifying magnesium deficiency : a diagnostic dilemma / R.J. Elin -- Magnesium deficiency : clinical and experimental aspects / W.B. Weglicki -- Magnesium and hypertension / R.M. Touyz and B. Sontia -- Atherosclerosis and magnesium / B.M. Altura and B.T. Altura -- Health significance of calcium and magnesium : examples from human studies / G.F. Combs, Jr and F.H. Nielson -- Calcium and magnesium : role of drinking-water in relation to bone metabolism / C.M. Weaver and J.W. Nieves -- Epidemiological studies and the association of cardiovascular disease risks with water hardness / R. Calderon and P. Hunter -- Alternative hypotheses and knowledge gaps / J.K. Fawell -- Water production, technical issues and economics / P. Regunathan.

This book addresses whether or not calcium and magnesium ('hardness') in drinking water can contribute to preventing disease. It includes a comprehensive consensus view on what is known and what is not about the role and possible health benefit of calcium and magnesium in drinking-water. Also included is a series of chapters each authored by internationally renowned experts reviewing the state of the art in different aspects, including: global dietary calcium and magnesium intakes; the contribution of drinking water to calcium and magnesium intake; health significance of calcium and magnesium; role of drinking-water in relation to bone metabolism; epidemiological studies and the association of cardiovascular disease risks with water hardness and magnesium in particular; water production, technical issues and economics.--Publisher's description.