Magnesium Health Watch » osteoperosis

Magnesium, Vegetables and Bone Health

sarita — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:57:39 +0000

Elena Conis wrote an informative piece for the LA Times discussing the relationship between fruits and vegetables and levels of acidity in diet and bone health. If you thought that bone health was mostly determined by your intake of calcium through milk, think again! Regulating the acidity balance of blood is critical for those experiencing bone loss. Conis writes:

“…In a follow-up study of more than 3,000 of the women in the Scottish study, the same researchers found that bone mineral density was 2% higher in women who consumed the lowest-acid diets compared with those who ate the highest-acid diets. Among pre-menopausal women, hip bone mineral density was 8% higher and lumbar spine density 6% higher in those who consumed the most potassium compared with those who consumed the least…”

The article continues:

“…The primary virtue of a low-acid diet may be its emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, says Joan Salge-Blake, a nutrition professor at Boston University and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Assn. “A plant-based diet is not only good for bones, it’s good for a lot of other things too,” including lowering the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart disease, she says…”

Magnesium May Help Arthritis, Osteoporosis

sarita — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:44:01 +0000

Trainer Becky Kolar in the Sheboygan Press discusses the importance of magnesium for those with arthritis and osteoporosis. Magnesium has been known to help alleviate symptoms of arthritis. But despite that tens of millions of U.S. adults have arthritis, many people are low in magnesium and other important minerals.

Kolar writes:

One cause of this and osteoarthritis is an imbalance in calcium and magnesium ion levels in your body. This natural aging causes an accumulation of calcium (taken from your bones) and depletion in magnesium in tissue. The human body needs an adequate level of magnesium to accurately absorb calcium and to function properly.

If there is a lack of magnesium in your body, the calcium is unsure of where to go, and instead of ending up in your bones to make them stronger, the calcium will be deposited in your kidneys, your coronary arteries and your cartilage (these calcium deposits cause osteoarthritis arthritis).

Another benefit of magnesium in the body is that this mineral stimulates the hormone calcitonin, which decreases the breakdown of calcium in bones, hence preserving bone structure.

Magnesium Supplements

sarita — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:50:27 +0000

As the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, magnesium is essential to your good health. Approximately half of your total body magnesium is found in your bones and the other half is distributed throughout cells of your body tissues and organs. This critical mineral is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in your body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps your heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps your bones strong.

Surprisingly we are all Magnesium Deficient

The 1999-2000 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that substantial numbers of adults in the United States fail to consume recommended amounts of magnesium.

Research done throughout the world shows that the United States RDA for Magnesium is not sufficient to make up for the amount lost in bowel movements and sweat. Aggravating matters more, sports, physical work, mental exertion, competition or other stresses, all increase your magnesium requirements.

The shocking part is amounts actually consumed in American diets is even less than the RDA! The amounts consumed are generally far less than enough to maintain equilibrium in metabolic balance studies. For many people, dietary intake may not be high enough to promote an optimal magnesium status, which may be protective against disorders such as cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction.

Magnesium and Osteoporosis

Magnesium deficiency may be a risk factor for osteoporosis4 because magnesium deficiency alters calcium metabolism and the hormones that regulate calcium. Several human studies have suggested that supplementing with magnesium can improve your bone mineral density. In a study of older adults, a greater magnesium intake maintained bone mineral density to a greater degree than a lower magnesium intake. Diets with recommended levels of magnesium are beneficial for bone health, but further investigation on the exact role of magnesium in bone metabolism and osteoporosis is needed.

Magnesium and High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Magnesium may play an important role in regulating your blood pressure naturally. Diets including plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of potassium and magnesium, are consistently associated with lower blood pressure. The DASH study suggested that high blood pressure could be significantly lowered by a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods. This kind of diet is high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and low in sodium and bad fats.

A Harvard study examined the effect of various nutritional factors on incidence of high blood pressure in over 30,000 US male health professionals in 1992. This four year study found that a lower risk of hypertension was associated with dietary patterns that provided more magnesium, potassium, and dietary fiber.

Foods high in magnesium are usually high in potassium and dietary fiber too. This makes it difficult to evaluate the independent effect of magnesium on blood pressure. However, newer scientific evidence from DASH clinical trials is strong enough that the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure states that “diets with high magnesium are positive lifestyle modifications for individuals with hypertension.” This group recommends the DASH diet as a beneficial eating plan for people with hypertension and for those with “pre-hypertension” who desire to prevent high blood pressure.

You May Need Magnesium Supplements

Considering magnesium plays a role in the prevention of so many diseases and the fact that there is a good chance you are magnesium deficient, you may need magnesium supplements. Your doctor can test your magnesium status when above-mentioned medical problems occur, and determine if you need a magnesium supplement.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/magnesium-supplements-and-the-benefits-of-magnesium-140740.html

Learn more about Magnesium Supplements and How Much is Too Much?