A Spoonful a Day for Better Health
In 2004 calcium supplements were the
number one selling mineral supplement and the third highest selling
supplement overall in the U.S.
nutrition industry. Calcium's popularity is based on strong scientific
evidence and observational studies supporting many roles in human
health. One benefit of taking magnesium and calcium together is that
magnesium may help correct calcium deficiencies.
Calcium
According to the Office of Dietary
Supplements at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, calcium is the
most abundant mineral in the human body and has several important
functions. "More than 99% of total body calcium is stored in the bones
and teeth where it functions to support their structure. The remaining
1% is found throughout the body in blood, muscle, and the fluid
between cells.
Calcium is needed for muscle
contraction, blood vessel contraction, and expansion, the secretion of
hormones and enzymes, and sending messages through the nervous system.
A constant level of calcium is maintained in the body fluid and tissues
so that these vital body processes function efficiently."
Several factors can affect calcium
absorption from the digestive system into the body circulation. Vitamin
D helps improve calcium absorption; however, the older a person is, the
less their body tends to absorb calcium. This is why there is an
increased calcium recommendation for people over age 51. Pregnant women
appear to have increased calcium absorption. That is why government
recommendations are the same for pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Calcium excretion can be affected by
many factors. Dietary sodium and protein increase calcium excretion as
the amount of their intake is increased. Caffeine temporarily increases
calcium excretion and may modestly decrease calcium absorption. Calcium
excretion refers to the amount of calcium eliminated from the body in
urine, feces and sweat.
Magnesium
"Magnesium is the fourth most
abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health,"
according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. "Approximately 50% of
total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found
predominately inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of
magnesium is found in the blood, but the body works very hard to keep
blood levels of magnesium constant. Magnesium is needed for more than
300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle
and nerve functions, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy
immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate
blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be
involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an
increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing
disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes."
Some evidence suggests that magnesium
deficiency may be an additional risk factor for postmenopausal
osteoporosis. This may be due to the fact that magnesium deficiency
alters calcium metabolism and the hormones that regulate calcium.
Several human studies have suggested that magnesium supplementation may
improve bone mineral density. The Recommended Daily Value for magnesium
is 400mg per day, but the requirements may be elevated somewhat by
stressors such as exercise and when taking calcium supplements for bone
building or prevention of bone loss.
Source: Tropical Oasis
View our Selection of Products
Scientific References
1. Natural Foods Merchandiser:
Market Overview, 2004; June 2005. For 52 weeks ending Feb. 19, 2005.
ACNielsen/SPINS. Based on dollar sales at conventional food, drug and
mass retailers.
2. Shils ME. Magnesium. In Modern Nutrition in Health ad Disease, 9th Edition. New York: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 1999, p. 169-92.
3. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp.
4. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1997.
5. http://ods.od.nih.gove/factsheets/magnesium.asp.
6. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. National Academy Press. Washington, DC, 1999.
7. Ibid.
|
