Magnesium critical for child bone health

Although the importance of magnesium for bone health is known, little is known about magnesium absorption and its relationship to bone mineral content and density both factors that relate to bone strength. In a new study, researchers found that the magnesium content of a diet is significantly related to these two factors. The report appears in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

In the study, researchers measured the intake and absorption of magnesium in children between the ages of 4 and 8 using special techniques involving stable isotopes to measure the absorption of the mineral. They found that magnesium intake and absorption, but not calcium intake or absorption, were significantly associated with bone mineral content and density.

Dietary magnesium intake levels tend to be at a healthy level in small children, but we see deficiencies in these levels in teens and young adults.

This is because magnesium is found in foods such as nuts and vegetables, which are not consumed as often by teens and young adults.

Bonnie: As we have said incessantly for the last 30 years, magnesium supplementation is crucial to bridge the deficiency gap between diet and optimal mag levels.