Because magnesium competes with calcium at doses above 250 mg, if your calcium levels are already low, it can cause you to develop calcium deficiency. In general, taking both minerals in the recommended daily amounts is perfectly fine. Magnesium is good for supporting bone formation and maintaining strength. Magnesium is good so that the small mineral crystals that make up part of your bone structure can increase in density and gain strength. Magnesium is good for your bones to absorb calcium effectively. Magnesium supplements can support the strength and amount of calcium in your bones. Neuromuscular hyperexcitability is the initial problem called in people who have or develop magnesium deficiency (Rude and Singer, 1980). Latent tetany, caused by a positive sign of Chvostek and trousseau, or spontaneous spasm of the carpal pedal may be present. Open and widespread seizures can also occur. Although hypocalcemia can contribute to neurological symptoms, without hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia can lead to neuromuscular hyperexcitability. In some studies, magnesium deficiency has been shown to lead to insulin resistance as well as impaired insulin secretion, thereby worsening diabetes control (for examination, see Paolisso et al.
[1990]). An experimental study on the degradation of magnesium was conducted to study the development of insulin resistance. Normal male subjects were given a controlled diet for three weeks in a metabolic study in which magnesium intake was 12 mg (0.5 mmol)/day. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests performed at the beginning and end of 21-day fatigue showed a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity (Nadler et al., 1993). Such results have raised the possibility that insulin resistance and abnormal glucose tolerance in individuals may be due to a lack of magnesium (Paolisso et al., 1992). Magnesium deficiency in observational clinical studies was defined by low serum magnesium concentrations and a reduction in total and/or ionized magnesium in red blood cells, platelets, lymphocytes and skeletal muscle (Nadler et al., 1992), although subjects consumed magnesium levels similar to those in population studies (Schmidt et al., 1994). The Food and Nutrition Board has set the tolerable upper limits for calcium listed below, but please note that these levels are not necessarily what is recommended or best for your health, given the scientific research linking excessive calcium supplementation to cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is often found in older adults (Fink et al., 1983; Rowe et al., 1983). Magnesium supplements have been shown to improve glucose tolerance (Paolisso et al., 1992) and improve insulin response in elderly and non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (Paolisso et al., 1989). A possible cause of magnesium deficiency observed in diabetes is renal degradation of magnesium induced by glycosuria (Rude, 1993). However, until magnesium degradation studies conducted on normal individuals can link specific levels of dietary intake to abnormal glucose tolerance tests or other indicators of glucose metabolism, it is premature to consider the prevalence of diabetes mellitus as a functional indicator of magnesium adequacy. Calcium is important for bone health throughout your life.
Although diet is the best way to get calcium, calcium supplements may be an option if your diet is insufficient. Some studies have shown that magnesium chloride is more bioavailable than its oxide and sulfate forms. Because your body can process the chloride form of the mineral more efficiently, BetterYou uses it as a source for their supplements. The gap in needs cannot be determined from the data available for men or women. Thus, a CV of 10% is assumed for both cases. This results in a RDI for men aged 31 to 50 years for magnesium of 420 mg (17.5 mmol) and for women 320 mg (13.3 mmol) / day. This dynamic duo of macrominerals also promotes heart health. Calcium and magnesium work together to maintain the health of the muscles and blood vessels necessary for the heart to function optimally.
Low magnesium levels can lead to calcium buildup in the blood, which can calcify arteries and other blood vessels. The serum magnesium concentration may not reflect the intracellular availability of magnesium. Nevertheless, measuring serum magnesium concentration is the most commonly available and widely used test to assess magnesium status. Serum magnesium levels can be affected by changes in serum albumin, other anionic ligands and pH; However, corrections for changes due to these factors are rarely made (Quamme, 1993). Normal values by age and sex were derived from samples of the U.S. population in NHANES I (Lowenstein and Stanton 1986). A serum magnesium concentration of less than 0.75 mmol/litre (1.8 mg/dL) is thought to indicate magnesium deficiency (Elin, 1987). Magnesium converts vitamin D into its active form so that it can promote calcium absorption. Magnesium also stimulates the hormone calcitonin, which helps maintain bone structure and pull calcium from the blood and soft tissues into the bones, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, some forms of arthritis, heart attack and kidney stones. In the absence of balance studies meeting appropriate criteria, other possible indicators of magnesium requirements for this age group were examined. However, no conclusive studies were found.
The methods used in the magnesium and intracellular magnesium tolerance test studies discussed above have not yet been sufficiently validated to serve as a basis for estimating average requirements. A growing body of evidence suggests that an excellent diet affects the health, well-being and attractiveness of the skin. Calcium and magnesium are two of these minerals that promote skin health. [16] Some studies suggest that magnesium applied directly (topically) to your skin can improve skin softness and hydration while reducing redness and swelling. [16] The development of atheromatous disease has been associated with magnesium in observational epidemiological studies. Areas where water hardness increases (which is due to high levels of calcium and magnesium) tend to have lower cardiovascular mortality rates (Altura et al., 1990; Hammer und Heyden, 1980; Leoni et al., 1985; Luoma et al., 1983; Neri and Johansen, 1978; Neri et al., 1985; Rubenowitz et al., 1996).
