Magnesium suppresses bone turnover, depression?

Two Biological Trace Element Research studies tout the benefits of magnesium.

1. Magnesium has been shown to increase bone mineral density when used in the treatment of osteoporosis, yet its mechanism of action is obscure. In their study, the effects of daily oral magnesium supplementation on biochemical markers of bone turnover were investigated. Twenty postmenopausal women have been divided into two groups. Ten patients were given magnesium (1,830 mg/day) orally for 30 days. Ten postmenopausal women of matching age, menopause duration, and BMI were recruited as the control group and followed without any medication. Fasting blood and first-void urine samples were collected on days 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30, respectively. Total magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iPTH and osteocalcin were determined in blood samples.
   
   Thirty consecutive days of oral magnesium supplementation caused significantly decrease in serum iPTH levels in the Mg-supplemented group. Serum osteocalcin levels were significantly increased and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were decreased in the Mg-supplemented group. This study has demonstrated that oral magnesium supplementation in postmenopausal osteoporotic women suppresses bone turnover.
   
   
2. According to a Korean study, serum magnesium (Mg) and serum calcium/magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio may be involved in the mechanism for the progression of depressive mood or stress perception in relatively healthy, adult women. The cross-sectional study was conducted in 112 relatively healthy, adult women without psychiatric disorders, recruited from the outpatient clinic in a university hospital setting. Serum Ca and Mg levels were measured and indicators of mental health such as depression, anxiety and stress were evaluated using two validated questionnaires. Women in the middle tertile of serum Ca/Mg ratio had significantly lower scores on depression and stress scales and a lower odds ratio for the risk of depressive mood disorder than those in the highest tertile. The odds ratio for the risk of depressive mood disorder was higher in women in the lowest tertile of serum Mg than in those in the highest tertile.
   
   Steve - please note that these are very small studies. The dosage administered in the osteoporosis is way above a daily maintenance dose, and this amount of magnesium should never be taken without a physician's okay. That said, it shows how amazing magnesium can be and is an important part of any osteoporosis and depression prevention protocol.