Beyond calcium – Preserve bone health with vitamin D and magnesium

TOPIC OVERVIEW

A magnesium undersupply is not to be taken lightly. An American study from 2017 reports that people who consume only little magnesium are more susceptible to bone fractures. The study investigated 3700 subjects with an average age of over 60. It was shown that women with a comparably high magnesium intake had an up to 62% lower risk of fracturing bones than women with a lower magnesium intake. In men, the bone fracture risk decreases by 53% if they have a high magnesium intake. Good to know! This is particularly true if the magnesium intake is as poor as described in the study: Only 27% of study participants achieved the daily intake of 420 and 320 mg recommended by the American National Research Council.

Why a magnesium undersupply is problematic for bone structure can be easily explained: All magnesium in our body which is not presently being used in our muscles or organs or which is not on the way there is stored in our bones. This represents about 60% and thus the majority of the 25 grams of magnesium which a healthy adult has in his or her body. In bones, the magnesium stored there is used during bone growth and mineralization and thus significantly contributes to the stabilization of our skeleton. If too little magnesium is supplied via the diet while there is an increased need elsewhere because the magnesium is currently fulfilling one of its various tasks in the body, the magnesium stored in the bones is used. If the reserves are empty for a prolonged period, this may result in serious consequences for bone density and increase the risk of suffering from osteoporosis.

Magnesium has another important task which indirectly benefits our bone structure. A large proportion of the German population is deficient in vitamin D. Even about 75% of women between ages 65 and 79 are affected by a vitamin D undersupply. Magnesium is an important factor in vitamin D metabolism. A vitamin D undersupply can affect the absorption of magnesium and calcium since they are mediated by vitamin D. The consequence: The bones become porous and brittle due to the absent minerals.

You can certainly start the day with the glass of milk mentioned above if you want to pay attention to your nutrient intake – because it contains not only a lot of calcium but also a full 12 mg of magnesium per 100 g. The best thing is to take the glass of milk and pour it into your muesli made of cereal flakes, seeds and fruits. This is because an appreciable amount of magnesium is found in sunflower seeds and bananas as well as in oats. However, at the same time, pay attention to your vitamin D intake too, so that your body can absorb the minerals. In summer, outdoor walks are suitable for this: 20-30 minutes in a T-shirt should be enough to cover your daily needs. Of course, in winter, this becomes more difficult, not just due to reluctance to go outside without a jacket. No, the solar radiation in the winter is too weak in our latitude to start the formation of the essential sun vitamin. Anyone unable to indulge in a long vacation in a southern location often turns to nutritional supplements to keep the vitamin D reserves in balance.

Targeted nutrition with foods containing magnesium and the intake of vitamin D can be used to prevent bone fractures. To be able to prevent bone fractures, provide the body with all the biofactors it needs for a healthy skeleton. Here you can find more information on the important role which magnesium and vitamin D play in bone health: Vitamin D and magnesium protect the bones from osteoporosis.

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