Why You Need a Side of Magnesium With Your Calcium

Osteoporosis is one of the leading health issues for both women and men as they age.  Magnesium is an important mineral that should be taken with calcium to make the calcium more bioavailable.  Calcium supplements are taken by many people and there is calcium added to many packaged foods.   Yet, osteoporosis still remains a big health problem.  Multiple studies have shown that higher magnesium intake is associated with a higher bone mineral density in both men and women.  Magnesium's role in bone health is in its influence of the activities of both osteoblasts (cells responsible for bone formation) and osteoclasts (the cells that break down your bone).  Additionally, magnesium affects the concentrations of both parathyroid hormone and the active form of vitamin D, which are major regulators of bone homeostasis.  Plus, women with osteoporosis have lower serum magnesium levels than women without the disease.  It appears that magnesium is crucial for bone health. 

I would be remiss if I only mentioned that magnesium is just good for your bones.  Magnesium plays an important role in heart health and much more.  It helps your body's detoxification processes, which means it aids in preventing damage from environmental chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxins.  It also helps with migraines, slowing down the aging process, establishing normal heart rhythms, easing premenstrual syndrome, preventing colorectal tumors and ameliorating diabetes.

The wonder mineral magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard, avocadoes, beans, nuts and seeds, like almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Please check your calcium supplement to make sure there is close to a one to one ratio of magnesium to the calcium.  Magnesium glycinate is a chelated form of magnesium that tends to provide the highest levels of absorption and bioavailability and is usually considered the best choice for those who are trying to correct a deficiency.

In Ayurveda, herbal formulations rarely rely on one ingredient.  Rather, the formulations contain many herbs that are meant to act synergistically.  The synergistic effect creates a better result.  This is the case with calcium.  Calcium is one of the supplements needed for healthy bones, but it needs other things like magnesium to enhance its effect.  Balance is the way to reach the goals of health we are looking for.

Stay healthy & well,
Lisa