Vitamin D Treatment & Magnesium Intake

Vitamin D and magnesium are nutrients essential for the skeletal, immune, cardiac and muscular systems to function properly. While the two have different roles, research indicates that vitamin D may require a base amount of magnesium for it to act optimally. Therefore, while certain conditions like osteoporosis may appear to require only additional vitamin D to treat, an increase in magnesium intake may also be needed. Speak to your doctor about the possible side effects before supplementing with either vitamin D or magnesium.

Vitamin D Treatment

Vitamin D is synthesized by the body when the skin is exposed to the sun. It is also found in high concentrations in foods like eggs, milk that has been fortified with the vitamin and fish such as mackerel, tuna or salmon. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that men and women between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume 5 mcg of vitamin D daily. Adults between 51 and 70 years old should consume 10 mcg daily, and people over 71 are recommended to aim for an intake of 15 mcg. Insufficient vitamin D intake can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, certain types of cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure. If you have little sun exposure or low levels of vitamin D-rich foods in your diet, talk to your doctor about supplementing with a vitamin D liquid preparation, capsule or tablet.

Magnesium Intake

Magnesium is a mineral found primarily in dark green leafy vegetables; nuts like almonds, walnuts, peanuts and Brazil nuts; whole grains; tofu; whole wheat flour and black-strap molasses. Health professionals advise that adult men and women should consume between 270 and 400 mg of magnesium daily, but the Nutritional Magnesium Association warns that the majority of Americans consume less than half of that requirement regularly. Since magnesium helps regulate and promote the absorption of other essential minerals and vitamins like calcium, zinc, potassium and vitamin D, being deficient in magnesium can increase your risk of medical conditions associated with low amounts of those nutrients, including osteoporosis.

Interaction Between Vitamin D and Magnesium

Magnesium promotes the absorption of calcium by activating vitamin D into a form that allows it to interact with calcium. While most research into osteoporosis prevention and treatment has focused on increasing vitamin D and calcium intake, a 2005 study published in the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" found that out of 2,038 men and women between the ages of 70 to 79, the Caucasian individuals who consumed the most magnesium had the greatest bone density and the lowest risk of developing osteoporosis. These results were not seen in African-American men and women. The researchers concluded that increasing magnesium intake may be an even more effective preventative measure against bone-thinning than vitamin D treatment in Caucasians, but more research is needed to determine the effects of magnesium intake in other races.

Considerations

Both vitamin D and magnesium supplementation can cause a variety of side effects. Vitamin D supplements may cause weight loss, diarrhea, joint pain, vomiting and muscle problems and should be avoided by people with kidney or cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D may also interfere with digoxin, atorvastatin, orlistat, anti-seizure medications and corticosteroids like prednisone. Likewise, magnesium supplementation can cause sharp drops in blood pressure and heart rate and can inhibit the function of antibiotics, diabetes drugs, diruetics and blood pressure medications. Do not use vitamin D or magnesium supplements unless under the direction and supervision of a doctor.