Although calcium has received most of the attention, there is growing evidence that magnesium is an important factor in maintaining optimal bone health. In fact, experts agree that adequate magnesium intake is necessary for the proper utilization of calcium, which is found in large quantities in bone.
According to researchers, "With this degree of supporting evidence, it is curious that magnesium supplementation has not been examined more frequently in studies of osteoporosis."
Osteoporosis is a reduction in bone mass that leads to an increased risk of bone fractures. In response to the lack of research on magnesium and osteoporosis, researchers reviewed a 2-year study performed on 31 osteoporotic postmenopausal women given magnesium. For the first 6 months, participants were treated with 250 to 750 mg per day of magnesium (depending upon individual tolerance). From month 6 to 24, treatment consisted of 250 mg per day of magnesium. An age-matched group consisting of 23 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis served as controls (untreated) for comparison. Bone mineral density tests were performed on all participants at the beginning of the study, after 1 year of treatment, and at the end of the 2-year study.
Researchers stated that, "At the end of the 2-year study, magnesium therapy [appeared] to have prevented fractures and resulted in a significant increase in bone density."
Researchers also claimed, "The finding that magnesium supplementation actually caused increased bone density rather than a stabilization of existing bone density is noteworthy. This has not been a finding of either calcium or estrogen intervention trials."
J. Sojka and colleagues concluded in Nutrition Reviews that "...magnesium intake should be measured when conducting studies investigating the importance of nutrients on the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis."
Nutr Rev 1995;53(3):71-80.
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