Although more and more calcium supplements include magnesium there are still some patients that come in and are taking only calcium. Magnesium deficiency has been shown more than once to be related to osteoporosis. The magnesium has a major influence in the type of calcium crystals present in the bones, and therefore a deficiency is associated with abnormal calcification of the bone. Some women who have reduced bone mineral density do not have an increase in their fracture rate because they have excellent structural calcification due in part to adequate levels of magnesium. In 1990 Dr. Guy Abraham demonstrated that women given dietary advice plus hormones plus 500mg calcium citrate and 600mg magnesium oxide had an 11% increase in bone density vs. an average increase of .7% in the group that was given dietary advice and hormones but not supplements.
Bottom line make sure your calcium supplement has magnesium. Generally, a ration of 2:1 calcium: magnesium is best.
Terry Pfau DO, HMD