Magnesium, like calcium, appears to slow bone loss
The results of a new study conducted by a research team at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Loma Linda, California, shows that magnesium plays a key role in a number of physiological processes, including the maintenance of healthy bones. In a paper published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. K.H. William Lau says, "About half of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones, which act as a reservoir for the mineral. When the diet is deficient in magnesium, the body draws magnesium from the bones."
Previous research has found that both magnesium and calcium deficiencies are risk factors for low bone density, bone loss, and osteoporosis, note the authors of the new study. Earlier studies have also found that magnesium supplements can increase bone mass in women with magnesium deficiencies, including those with osteoporosis.
To see whether supplements might slow bone loss in healthy people, who do not have magnesium deficiencies, the researchers gave 12 young, healthy men 350-milligram daily doses of the mineral for 30 days. All of the men had sufficient magnesium in their diets. During the 30-day period, Dr. Lau and colleagues took blood samples from the men, and checked the samples for chemicals that are markers of bone breakdown. The researchers also tested blood samples from a control group of 12 other men of the same ages, heights and weights, who had adequate magnesium in their diets, but did not take the supplements.
Compared with the men in the control group, those who took the magnesium supplements had significantly lower blood levels of the chemicals that are indicators of bone breakdown, the researchers found.
The findings suggest that daily magnesium supplements may "lead to reduced bone loss, and thus, may have a potential utility for treatment of osteoporosis," says Dr. Lau.
"As there is evidence suggesting that adequate magnesium intake may be equally as effective as adequate calcium intake in promoting achievement of peak bone mass, we should not overlook the importance of an adequate magnesium intake in growing children and young adults," Dr. Lau added.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 350 milligrams. Milk and other dairy products, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and leafy green vegetables are relatively good sources of magnesium.
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