Magnesium Health Watch

Managing bone health is not just about taking calcium supplements.  Research at the University of Toronto has indicated that calcium, when combined with nutritional supplements of leafy greens, is more effective at treating osteoporosis.  Calcium alone is not sufficient in healthy bones.  Multiple nutritional components such as magnesium, vitamins D, C, and B, zinc, copper and other minerals are essential.

“Although calcium is positively associated with increased bone mineral density, there is also evidence to show that calcium alone is not sufficient,” says Rao. “Several antioxidants, a number of which are obtained primarily through foods such as fruits and vegetables and nutritional supplements, have been shown in both in vitro and clinical studies that they can counteract oxidative stress and prevent the risk of osteoporosis. In other words, it requires other nutritional components in increasing bone formation.”

Eat your greens, for your bones’ sake.

In a food based nutritional supplement, vitamins and minerals are transported in a “food base,” meaning that minerals are added to whole foods  when the capsule is created. As a result, when you take a food based vitamin, the minerals are more easily absorbed by the body than with a standard, non-food based supplement.

The importance of food-based supplements is especially key with calcium. Research has indicated that calcium supplements are more effective when they are food based, and paired with other vitamins and minerals like magnesium and Vitamin K. In order to be absorbed by the body, calcium must fully dissolve.  For that reason, the calcium must be a particular type so that it can break down efficiently in the stomach.

For information on a plant-source based calcium magnesium supplement, check out Bone Strength Take Care by New Chapter (60 Fcaps).

In this excellent list at Wake Up and Breathe, Lorraine mentions another way that magnesium can help the body. Magnesium can be used to help treat PMS.  While vitamins are helpful in addressing skin, stress and mood issues associated with pms, calcium combined with magnesium can help cramps.  Magnesium helps the body absorb the needed calcium that helps minimize pain.

“Fight PMS with calcium and magnesium: Calcium prevents menstrual cramps and pain. Magnesium helps the body in absorbing calcium. Magnesium helps in controlling premenstrual food cravings and stabilizing moods. If you do not suffer from lactose intolerance, you can opt for skim milk as a source of calcium. Include green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, tofu and canned salmon for calcium and spinach, tofu, rice bran and some fish like halibut and mackerel for magnesium.”

12 Ways to Fight PMS | Wake Up And Breathe.

From Kalyx Natural Marketplace: Calcium is known best of all as a promoter of healthy and strong bones. But it plays a critical role in performance as well. Too little calcium and you can’t relax your muscles. Bad relaxation makes for less potential energy and so on and ultimately for less than satisfactory contraction. Magnesium is a mineral needed by every cell of your body. About half of your body’s magnesium stores are found inside cells of body tissues and organs, and half are combined with calcium and phosphorus in bone. Regular exercise and a healthy diet with enough calcium helps teen and young adult women maintain good bone health.

Calcium Magnesium Complex, 360 tabs: W

Most people associate calcium, and sometimes magnesium with preventing osteoporosis.  But there are many other considerations including vitamin d and maintaining a low-acid diet, that will help stave off bone deterioration.

This article outlines some of the common pitfalls or mistakes people make when evaluating their nutrition needs for bone health.

“According to the latest research, vitamin D deficiency may be much more common than we think. Vitamin D has two important functions: First, it helps the digestive system absorb calcium, and second, it supports the parathyroid, a gland that regulates the amount of calcium in the blood. When vitamin D levels are low, the parathyroid malfunctions, causing lowered calcium levels in the bloodstream, which can lead to bone loss. People with limited sun exposure or low vitamin D intake are more at risk than others.”

Stay Ahead of Osteoporosis | Common bone-health pitfalls and how to nurture naturally stronger bones.