Magnesium oxide, or magnesia, is a white solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium. Taking Magnesium orally might prevent bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Epidemiological research suggests that magnesium intake is related to bone mineral density.
One study of postmenopausal women who were also taking oestrogen, magnesium, plus calcium, and a multivitamin increased bone mass better than oestrogen alone.
Although we normally use a citrate form of Magnesium, in Bone-Protec we use an oxide form as this is the most compatible form of Magnesium to go with Coral Calcium.
Trabecular bone density in a two year controlled trial of peroral magnesium in osteoporosis
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Since magnesium regulates calcium transport, and magnesium replacement in magnesium-deficient postmenopausal patients resulted in unexpected improvement in documented osteoporosis, we investigated the effect of magnesium treatment on trabecular bone density in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thirty-one postmenopausal patients (mean age +/- SD = 57.6 +/- 10.6 years), consecutively admitted to the Back Rehabilitation Unit with musculoskeletal pain of non-malignant origin and bone density values of < or = 1.19 g/cm3 (measured by Compton Bone Densitometer), received two to six tablets daily of 125 mg each of magnesium hydroxide (Magnesium Magma USP/; 'Mazor', Israel) for 6 months and two tablets for another 18 months in a 2 year, open, controlled therapeutic trial. Twenty-three symptom-free postmenopausal women (mean +/- SD = 61.2 +/- 6.2 years) whose bone density was concurrently assessed at the same laboratory and who were found to have osteoporosis but refused treatment, served as controls. No new fractures occurred. Twenty-two patients (71 per cent) responded by a 1-8 per cent rise of bone density. The mean bone density of all treated patients increased significantly after 1 year (P < 0.02) and remained unchanged after 2 years (P > 0.05). The mean bone density of the responders increased significantly both after one year (P < 0.001) and after 2 years (P < 0.02), while in untreated controls, the mean bone density decreased significantly (P < 0.001). The disparity between the initial mean bone density and bone density after one year in all osteoporotic patients and in the responders differed significantly from that of the controls.
A total dietary program emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium. Effect on the mineral density of calcaneous bone in postmenopausal women on hormonal therapy
The use of calcium supplementation for the management of primary postmenopausal osteoporosis (PPMO) has increased significantly in the past few years. A review of the published data does not support calcium megadosing during postmenopause. Controlled studies showed no significant effect of calcium intake on mineral density of trabecular bone and a slight effect on cortical bone. Since PPMO is predominantly due to demineralization of trabecular bone, there is no justification for calcium megadosing in postmenopausal women. Soft tissue calcification is a serious risk factor during calcium megadosing under certain conditions. A total dietary program emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium for the management of PPMO takes into account the available data on the effects of magnesium, life-style and dietary habits on bone integrity and PPMO. When this dietary program was tested on 19 postmenopausal women on hormonal replacement therapy who were compared to 7 control postmenopausal women, a significant increase in mineral bone density of the calcaneous bone (BMD) was observed within one year. Fifteen of the 19 women had had BMD below the spine fracture threshold before treatment; within one year, only 7 of them still had BMD values below that threshold.
Potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetable intakes are associated with greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women
Tucker KL, Hannan MT, Chen H, Cupples LA, Wilson PW, Kiel DP.
Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. tucker@hnrc.tufts.edu
BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis and related fractures will be growing public health problems as the population ages. It is therefore of great importance to identify modifiable risk factors. OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations between dietary components contributing to an alkaline environment (dietary potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetables) and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly subjects. DESIGN: Dietary intake measures were associated with both cross-sectional (baseline) and 4-y longitudinal change in BMD among surviving members of the original cohort of the Framingham Heart Study. Dietary and supplement intakes were assessed by food-frequency questionnaire, and BMD was measured at 3 hip sites and 1 forearm site. RESULTS: Greater potassium intake was significantly associated with greater BMD at all 4 sites for men and at 3 sites for women (P < 0.05). Magnesium intake was associated with greater BMD at one hip site for both men and women and in the forearm for men. Fruit and vegetable intake was associated with BMD at 3 sites for men and 2 for women. Greater intakes of potassium and magnesium were also each associated with less decline in BMD at 2 hip sites, and greater fruit and vegetable intake was associated with less decline at 1 hip site, in men. There were no significant associations between baseline diet and subsequent bone loss in women. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that alkaline-producing dietary components, specifically, potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetables, contribute to maintenance of BMD.
Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium intakes correlate with bone mineral content in postmenopausal women
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ancona, Italy.
Qualitative and quantitative differences in the dietary habits of postmenopausal women were studied to assess their influence on bone health and osteoporosis. A total of 194 postmenopausal women were studied with forearm DEXA densitometry. 70 were osteoporotic and 124 served as controls. Women had been menopausal for 5-7 years, and had never been treated with hormone replacement or drug therapy. A 3-day dietary recall was completed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after the examination: the results were processed by computer and daily calcium, phosphorus and magnesium intakes were related to bone mineral content (BMC). Data were compared with Student's t-test and significance was assessed at p < 0.05. Regression analysis was performed to correlate BMC and intake levels. The dietary intake of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium was significantly reduced in osteoporotic women and correlated with BMC. Calcium and magnesium intakes were lower than the recommended daily allowance even in normal women. The results suggest that nutritional factors are relevant to bone health in postmenopausal women, and dietary supplementation may be indicated for the prophylaxis of osteoporosis. Adequate nutritional recommendations and supplements should be given before the menopause, and dietary evaluation should be mandatory in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.