Magnesium and Osteoporosis
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Magnesium
supplementation and osteoporosis.
Among other things, magnesium regulates active calcium transport. As a result, there
has been a growing interest in the role of magnesium (Mg) in bone metabolism. A group of
menopausal women were given magnesium hydroxide to assess the effects of magnesium on bone
density. At the end of the 2-year study, magnesium therapy appears to have prevented
fractures and resulted in a significant increase in bone density.
Sojka-JE; Weaver-CM
Nutr-Rev. 1995 Mar; 53(3): 71-4
The role
of nutrition in osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis-related bone fractures are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity,
with women being particularly affected. Osteoporosis is a condition of bone fragility
resulting from micro-architectural deterioration and decreased bone mass; adult bone mass
depends upon the peak attained and the rate of subsequent loss; each depends on the
interaction of genetic, hormonal, environmental and nutritional factors. An adequate
supply of calcium is essential to attain maximum bone mass, and adult intakes below about
500 mg/day may predispose to low bone mass. Supplementation with calcium may conserve bone
at some skeletal sites, but whether this translates into reduced fracture rates is not
clear. Chronically low intakes of vitamin D--and possibly magnesium, boron, fluoride and
vitamins K, B12, B6 and folic acid (particularly if co-existing)--may pre-dispose to
osteoporosis. Similarly, chronically high intakes of protein, sodium chloride, alcohol and
caffeine may also adversely affect bone health. The typical Western diet (high in protein,
salt and refined, processed foods) combined with an increasing sedentary lifestyle may
contribute to the increasing incidence of osteoporosis in the elderly.
Bunker-VW
Br-J-Biomed-Sci. 1994 Sep; 51(3): 228-40
Calcium,
phosphorus and magnesium intakes correlate with bone mineral content in postmenopausal
women.
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.
Tranquilli-AL; Lucino-E; Garzetti-GG; Romanini-C
Gynecol-Endocrinol. 1994 Mar; 8(1): 55-8
The
relationship between boron and magnesium status and bone mineral density in the human: a
review.
Osteoporosis is a disease that characteristically afflicts postmenopausal women. It is
estimated that millions of people are plagued yearly with this debilitating disease.
Associated health care costs are in the billions of dollars, annually. Much research has
been conducted in the area of osteoporosis and mineral supplementation, mainly focusing on
calcium and vitamin D. Nonetheless, more recent studies have reported possible
improvements in bone mineral density in women who were supplemented with the ultra-trace
mineral, boron. Boron may play a role in bone metabolism, but its role is most likely to
be associated with its interactions with other minerals and vitamins such as calcium,
magnesium and vitamin D. Although the focus of this review will be to discuss the
interactive role of boron with magnesium and bone metabolism, some discussion of its
interactive role with vitamin D is also necessary.
Volpe-SL; Taper-LJ; Meacham-S
Magnes-Res. 1993 Sep; 6(3): 291-6
Interrelationship
of magnesium and estrogen in cardiovascular and bone disorders, eclampsia, migraine and
premenstrual syndrome.
The anticonvulsive and antihypertensive values of magnesium (Mg) in eclampsia, and its
antiarrhythmic applications in a variety of cardiac diseases, have caused Mg to be
considered only for parenteral administration by many physicians. In contrast,
nutritionists have long recognized Mg as an essential nutrient, because severe
deficiencies elicit neuromuscular manifestations similar to those justifying its use in
eclampsia. More recently, this element has been used to favorably influence latent tetany
with and without thrombotic complications, to delay preterm birth, to influence
premenstrual syndrome, and to ameliorate migraine headaches. Most of these disorders
exclusively or largely afflict women. The lesions of arteries and heart caused by
experimental Mg deficiency have been well documented and may contribute to human
cardiovascular disease. Estrogen's enhancement of Mg utilization and uptake by soft
tissues and bone may explain resistance of young women to heart disease and osteoporosis,
as well as increased prevalence of these diseases when estrogen secretion ceases. However,
estrogen-induced shifts of Mg can be deleterious when estrogen levels are high and Mg
intake is suboptimal. The resultant lowering of blood Mg can increase the Ca/Mg ratio,
thus favoring coagulation. With Ca supplementation in the face of commonly low Mg intake,
risk of thrombosis increases.
Seelig-MS
J-Am-Coll-Nutr. 1993 Aug; 12(4): 442-58
The
role of trace minerals in osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease with dimensions of genetics, endocrine
function, exercise and nutritional considerations. Of particular considerations are
calcium (Ca) status, Vitamin D, fluoride, magnesium and other trace elements. Several
trace elements, particularly copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), are essential in
bone metabolism as cofactors for specific enzymes. Our investigations regarding the role
of Cu, Mn and Zn in bone metabolism include data from studies with animals on Cu- and
Mn-deficient diets. We have also demonstrated cellular deficiencies using bone powder
implants, as well as fundamental changes in organic matrix constituents. In clinical
studies we have demonstrated the efficacy of Ca, Cu, Mn and Zn supplementation on spinal
bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Each of these studies demonstrated the
necessity of trace elements for optimal bone matrix development and bone density
sustenance.
Saltman-PD; Strause-LG
J-Am-Coll-Nutr. 1993 Aug; 12(4): 384-9
Hypothesis:
etiology of arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis: are imbalances in the calciferol endocrine
system implicated?
Arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis are currently considered unrelated diseases.
Osteoporosis involves bone calcium (Ca) loss and predominantly affects females after
menopause. Arteriosclerosis is an illness predominantly affecting males, and is primarily
characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism. However, pathological calcification of the
arterial wall is an underlying feature of arteriosclerosis. Ca homeostasis is thus
important in arteriosclerosis as well as in osteoporosis. Men also develop osteoporosis
although at a later age than women, and, as osteoporosis progresses in women, there is an
accompanying calcification of arteries leading to increased incidence of arteriosclerosis
in aging women. Thus, during old age, both arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis are prevalent
in both males and females. The dramatic increase in arteriosclerosis among women as they
develop osteoporosis suggests that the two illnesses may be more closely related than
previously realized. The use of vitamin D as a food supplement coincides with epidemic
onsets of arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis, and excess vitamin D induces both conditions
in humans and laboratory animals. These observations suggest a role for chronic vitamin D
excess in the etiology of the two illnesses. Magnesium (Mg) deficiency, nicotine, and high
dietary cholesterol are contributing factors that accentuate adverse effects of vitamin D.
Moon-J; Bandy-B; Davison-AJ
J-Am-Coll-Nutr. 1992 Oct; 11(5): 567-83
Calcium,
magnesium, and zinc supplementation and perinatal outcome.
The overall importance of nutrition to favorable perinatal outcome is only beginning to
be fully appreciated. Although nutritional status can be linked to such things as
socioeconomic class and education, it is nutrition directly that exerts a biologic effect.
This review has attempted to look at three elements and their relationship to maternal and
fetal outcome. At the present time, there does not seem to be a role for routine magnesium
supplementation during pregnancy. Magnesium deficiency, as an isolated nutritional
deficiency, is rare, and the evidence is, at best, weak that magnesium supplementation
reduces the risk of poor perinatal outcome. Zinc deficiency is also a very rare isolated
nutritional finding. Our ability to measure zinc accurately, be it in leukocytes or serum,
is improving, but the routine use of zinc supplements during pregnancy cannot be
recommended at this time. It may be that zinc will be a useful diagnostic marker, rather
than a therapeutic intervention. There is substantial evidence that the average American
diet does not contain sufficient calcium. An expansive literature continues to grow in the
areas of calcium and colon cancer, calcium and breast cancer, calcium and hypertension,
and calcium and osteoporosis. Is it possible that our susceptibilities to these problems
begin in utero? Obviously, the answer is unknown. What is known is that supplemental
calcium to some degree is needed in the diets of most Americans and in about two thirds of
pregnant women. Calcium supplementation seems to affect blood pressure favorably and,
pending confirmation with larger trials, may significantly reduce prematurity and
preeclampsia risk, thus improving perinatal outcome for a large number of our high-risk
patients.
Repke-JT
Clin-Obstet-Gynecol. 1991 Jun; 34(2): 262-7
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 post menopause. 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.
Abraham-GE; Grewal-H
J-Reprod-Med. 1990 May; 35(5): 503-7
Magnesium
content of the food supply in the modern-day world.
A large-scale US survey has shown that the dietary magnesium intake tends to be lower
than recommended. The suboptimal intake prevalent among US adults is consistent with the
pattern observed in other North American and European surveys. Several factors are
discussed, including the waterborne magnesium factor, the loss of magnesium during food
refining and the magnesium content of vegetarian diets, as well as various metabolic
situations, e.g., hypertension, pregnancy, osteoporosis, drug therapy, alcoholism, stress
and cardiac trauma. The benefits of magnesium supplementation among those with sub-RDA
intakes are illustrated.
Marier-JR
Magnesium. 1986; 5(1): 1-8
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