Magnesium Helps Prevent Osteoporosis

How Magnesium helps the elderly avoid osteoporosis was shown in a recent study in the US which found that Magnesium may be just as important as Calcium with regard to bone mineral density.

Participants

In this study, more than 2,000 older men and women (between the ages of 70 and 79) filled out food questionnaires and forms that tracked their intake of Magnesium either through food or from supplements

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was then measured in each participant, along with other information such as physical activity levels and body mass index.

Results

After analysing the data, the researchers were able to establish a definite link between the amount of Magnesium consumed and increased BMD. For every 100 milligram per day increase in Magnesium intake, there was an approximate 2 percent increase in BMD throughout the body.

Highlighting the concerns about the inadequacy of the modern diet which relies too heavily on sugar, fat and salted processed foods, this study found that only 26 percent of the people surveyed actually consumed adequate, or the recommended daily allowance for Magnesium (around 320 milligrams per day for women aged 70 and older; 420 milligrams per day for men although how much a person requires can depend of many other circumstances such as general health and presence of other conditions).

Conclusion

Doctors and health professioinals who treat elderly patients can recommend certain foods and supplements that are high in Magnesium and which can increase BMD while reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Reference

Ryder KM, Shorr RI, Bush AJ, et al. Magnesium intake from food and supplements is associated with bone mineral density in healthy older white subjects. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, November 2005;52(11):1875-1880.