OSTEO

The link between calcium and magnesium deficiency and osteoporosis is obvious, but the real problem is calcium absorption and calcium retention. Most calcium or calcium /magnesium formulas are poorly absorbed and provide little benefit to deal with the growing incidence of osteoporosis. An effective osteoporosis formula must include the proven co-factors in maintaining bone mineral density and bone mass. Silica and boron are absolutely essential, along with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D to insure healthy bones over one’s lifetime. Osteo is scientifically designed to provide the most effective bone health formula available.

According to a study published in the July, 2004 issue of Archives of InternalMedicine, the number of North Americans diagnosed with osteoporosis surged sevenfold over the past decade. As of 2003, there were an estimated 3.6 million Americans who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis, compared with half a million in 1994, according to the study by Stanford University researchers. Also, the number of doctor visits for the condition jumped to 6.3 million last year from 1.3 million in 1994.

It is estimated that 68% of North Americans are not getting enough calcium and that 75% of North Americans are deficient in magnesium ⁽¹⁾. The link between calcium and magnesium deficiency and osteoporosis is obvious, but the real problem is calcium absorption and calcium retention. Most calcium or calcium /magnesium formulas are poorly absorbed and provide little benefit to deal with the growing incidence of osteoporosis. An effective osteoporosis formula must include the proven co-factors in maintaining bone mineral density and bone mass. Silica and boron are absolutely essential, along with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D to insure healthy bones over one’s lifetime. Osteo is scientifically designed to provide the most effective bone health formula available.

The form in which minerals are presented has a significant effect on the bioavailability of the mineral. In the case of calcium and magnesium, there is widespread use of inorganic forms of these minerals for supplementation, such as calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide (oyster shells, dolomite or coral) Yet, by properly combining (chelating) calcium with an amino acid a component of protein to create an organic chelate, 75% more replacement calcium was delivered to the bones than with inorganic calcium. Another example is magnesium, which is absorbed 87% when properly chelated, but only absorbed 16% when taken in an inorganic non-chelated form such as magnesium oxide. Chelated minerals provide 3 to 10 x greater absorption than the non-chelated ones, and are essential in order to maintain optimum bone density ⁽²⁾.

CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM

Both calcium and magnesium are involved in numerous metabolic functions and are absolutely essential for the maintenance of a healthy body. Calcium is considered the backbone mineral because of its role in the formation of skeleton and teeth.  Magnesium is called the natural tranquilizer due to its relaxing action on nerves and muscles.  Both minerals require each other for their absorption and utilization and must be provided in adequate amounts. 

CALCIUM TO MAGNESIUM RATIO

The ratio between calcium to magnesium is very important in dealing with the causes and prevention of a number of disorders including myocardial infraction or arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, urolithiasis, and infant-death syndrome.  In all cases, a lower calcium/magnesium ratio or a higher magnesium/calcium ratio is desirable.  This need is further underscored by the fact that magnesium intake is generally suboptimal and that hypomagnesmia is more prevalent than generally believed.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium is 800-1200 mg/day, whereas for magnesium it is 400-450 mg/day.  Only about one-third of magnesium is absorbed from dietary sources.  Therefore, many researchers recommend an intake of 1200 mg/day.  The traditional ratio of approximately 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium needs to be upgraded to increase magnesium intake in view of the overwhelming beneficial role of magnesium.  The ideal ratio for most people’s needs is an equal ratio of calcium and magnesium.

The absorption and metabolism of calcium and magnesium is one of mutual dependence, and therefore, the balance between these two minerals is especially important.  If calcium consumption is high, magnesium intake needs to be high also. The trace mineral Boron (B) also plays a part in preventing urinary loss of calcium and magnesium and Silicon (Si) aids in calcium absorption.

CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION

A common misunderstanding amongst both healthcare professionals and the general public is that the daily requirement of calcium should be taken in supplemental form. In other words, many doctors suggest taking 1200mg a day of calcium from a supplement such as calcium carbonate. There is a great deal of risk in this approach, as it does not take into account the average daily intake of calcium from the diet. A supplement is just that, a supplement - to bring the TOTAL dietary intake of calcium to the optimum. Osteo suggests taking three tablets daily to bring the TOTAL dietary intake of calcium and magnesium to the ideal. The majority of North Americans ingest more than enough calcium from the diet, but the intake of magnesium and silicon is often inadequate. The most common problem is lack of calcium absorption, not the amount of calcium ingested. Calcium absorption depends on many factors including the type of calcium used e.g. carbonate, citrate or chelate, the amount of protein in the diet and co-factors such as magnesium, boron, silica and vitamin D. The danger of too much calcium in the diet without calcium co-factors, can lead to plaque on the arteries and kidney and gallstones. It is probably just as well that the excess calcium ingested in supplement form is usually the poorly absorbed calcium carbonate (dolomite, coral), which acts mainly as an antacid but provides little if any calcium to the bones.

SILICA

A recent study conducted by a consortium of scientists, including the Harvard Medical School Division on Ageing, has found that Silica intake is a major dietary determinant of bone mineral density in humans. Optimal bone health depends upon silicon as well as calcium. The best-documented function of silicon is that it facilitates bone calcification and bone mineralization. This feature is an important benefit to those with ageing bones ⁽³⁾.

BORON

The mineral boron may retard bone loss ⁽⁴⁾. Since osteoporosis is occuring in larger numbers of the population, this is important news. Bones have osteoclasts that break down old or damaged bone cells, while the osteoblasts work to replace the lost bone. Osteoporosis occurs when the osteoblasts cannot replace lost bone tissue as fast as the osteoclasts break it down. Osteoclasts deplete bone at a faster rate after menopause, leaving women at a greater risk of bone degradation. Boron appears to have a moderating effect on this process.

1. Graff, D., Research on Mineral Absoprtion, Weber State University, International Conference on Human Nutrition, 1995.
2. Grossman, T. M.D. “Chelated Minerals” Nature’s Impact Dec/Jan 1997/98.
3. Seaborn, C.D. and Neilson, F.H., "Silicon: A Nutritional Beneficence for Bones, Brains and Blood Vessels," Nutrition Today, July/August 1993.
4. Newnham, Ph.D., D.O., Rex E.   Journal of Applied Nutrition, (Volume 46, Issue 3, 1994).

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