Health Hotline Magazine | July 2024

OFFERS VALID JUNE 28 TO JULY 27, 2024 A Master Mineral For Total Body Health MAGNESIUM! By Liz Mueller W ith so many health issues on the rise, it can be hard to know where to turn, what to take, and when to take x, y, and z. But one supplement, magnesium, can be the answer for many. Stressed and overwhelmed? There’s a magnesium for that. Can’t turn o the running narrative at night? Magnesium to the rescue. Grasping for a good night’s sleep? Want to bolster bone health as you age? You guessed it—there’s a magnesium for those health hurdles, too. From soothing muscles to supporting cognition and cardiovascular function, this family-friendly mineral fills in what’s been missing.

A Master Mineral Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and a cofactor involved in more than 300 enzymatic biochem ical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, glutathione (the body’s master antioxidant) synthesis, energy produc tion, muscle and nerve function, and blood glucose control. Magnesium also plays a pivotal role in vitamin D utilization. Without magnesium, our bodies cannot properly utilize vitamin D. As noted by professor of pathology at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania, “Peo

ple are taking vitamin D supplements but don’t realize how it gets metabolized. Without magne sium, vitamin D is not useful. By consuming an optimal amount of magnesium, one may be able to lower the risks of vitamin D deficiency.” The American Osteopathic Association goes a step further, describing the health dangers of taking vitamin D without magnesium. “Consumption of vitamin D supplements can increase a person’s calcium and phosphate levels even if they remain vitamin D defi cient. People may suffer from vascular calcification if their magnesium levels aren’t high enough to prevent the complication.” Let’s take a look at some of magnesium’s proven health benefits. Elevate Bone Health The human body contains approximately 25 g of magnesium, with 50 to 60 percent

D

present in the bones. Because magnesium is so critical for functions throughout the body, when the body’s stores are low, it is liberated from bone, which leads to weaker bones. Studies show that bone density improves when magnesium is introduced back into the diet via supplementation. According to one 12-month double-blind, placebo-controlled study in children and adolescents with low magnesium intake, supplementation with 300 mg of magnesium oxide led to a measurable increase of bone mineral content. In a separate study of post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, 250–750 mg per day of magnesium hydroxide supplementation for two years significantly improved bone density. While it’s true that calcium is necessary for bone health, consuming a lot of calcium without magnesium can actually weaken bones. One study including 1,499 adults aged 45–75 years examined the associations between Ca:Mg intake, specifically, bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. They found that “when calcium intake is below 2.2 times that of magnesium or exceeds 3.2 times that of magnesium, it appears to be associated with poorer bone outcomes.” Look for a combination Ca:Mg supplement to ensure you’re getting the right ratios to support optimal bone health.

Natural Grocers ® | 21