Most of us know that increasing the calcium levels in our bodies helps keep our bones strong, but we may not know that magnesium plays a critical role in the prevention of the deterioration of our skeletal system. Dr. Harvinder Sandhu writes on the website SpineUniverse.com that you should have a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium in your body to help minimize the loss of bone density. While this is a good rule of thumb, you should always check with your doctor to determine whether you need to supplement your diet with magnesium.
Increased Bone Density
Magnesium helps prevent the formation of osteoporosis by working with calcium to increase bone density, according to Dr. Sandhu. Foods like brown rice, corn, nuts and dark green vegetables are naturally high in magnesium and can help replace the magnesium lost by eating lots of heavily-processed foods.
Proper Bone Shape
According to Dr. Cathy Carlson-Rink of the Flora Health Research Academy, osteoporosis is a disease most commonly identified by the loss of bone mass as a direct result of the lack of magnesium in our bodies. "Osteoporosis is not, generally speaking, a problem of insufficient calcium intake, but rather incorrect calcium utilization," she writes. "It is magnesium that is needed to encourage the correct utilization of calcium by the body." A magnesium deficiency can result in weak, abnormally-shaped bones that may look healthy, but are very brittle.
Quicker Healing
Osteoporosis often attacks the elderly, who suffer bone fractures and breaks when they fall, according to the Magnesium Online Library. Supplementing your diet with magnesium can cut the time it takes for your bones to heal after a break or fracture. According to the website, magnesium is "perhaps the most important single element in bone health" because it helps bind calcium to your bones. Without the presence of magnesium, much of the calcium you take in is excreted without being used to help keep your bones strong.
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