Why should you take calcium magnesium supplements? The answer is that maintaining good physical health involves a number of factors, one of which is a biochemical balancing act. The human body requires numerous minerals in the proper amounts in order to function properly. Sodium and potassium are two of these; too much of the former can result in hypertension, while two little can cripple the electrochemical processes that allow our cells to live. Likewise, calcium magnesium supplements are important to the proper functioning of bone and muscle function.

About Calcium

As you are probably aware, calcium is the mineral that makes up most of our bone structure. What you may not know is that the calcium in our bones is also used for many other bodily functions, such as regulating the circulatory system. Calcium is the most abundant element in the human body, and all but 1% of it is stored in our bones.

As we get older, our need for calcium increases. If the body does not receive sufficient calcium from food sources, it will start to leech calcium out of our bones. This is especially true in the case of older women, whose bones are prone to becoming brittle for want of calcium. This condition is known as osteoporosis (literally, “holes in the bone”).

About Magnesium

In its natural state, magnesium is a hard, silvery-white metal. In the body, this element is necessary for healthy cell function and reproduction, as it acts as a catalyst in the synthesis of DNA. Most importantly however, it allows our bodies to metabolize calcium; without sufficient magnesium, our bodies cannot absorb or make use of calcium as well as ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Magnesium deficiency is also responsible for kidney stones, muscular spasms as well as overall nervousness and impaired brain function.

Do You Need calcium magnesium supplements?

If you are not getting sufficient magnesium or calcium from the food you eat (and admittedly, this can be a challenge as we get older), nutrition supplements such as a womens multi vitamin may be helpful in osteoporosis prevention and other maladies.

By the time we pass age 50, all of us should be taking in at least 1200 milligrams of calcium each day. Dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt are the most common sources of calcium, however soy-based foods and leafy vegetables such as turnip greens and mustard greens are excellent alternatives.

If for some reason you cannot ingest enough calcium from food sources however, you should definitely take calcium magnesium supplements to make up the deficiency. If you can determine how much calcium you are getting from your food, it’s relatively easy to figure out which calcium magnesium supplements provide the correct amounts for you.

By: Anne Harvester

During pregnancy the requirement of calcium increases. Around 200 mg/day of calcium is taken up by the baby to develop properly. When the baby is born, about 20-30 g of calcium is found naturally in its skeleton. Later on during breastfeeding, about 1200 mg of calcium should be consumed by the mother to ensure proper growth of her baby.

Sufficient calcium intake and pregnancy are therefore related to each other. Many kinds of birth defects, abnormalities and miscarriages occur as a result of calcium deficiency in the mother. Women are advised by their doctors to obtain optimal levels of calcium from their everyday diet and to be on the safe side they should add at least one calcium supplement product to their everyday diet.

The importance of calcium intake and pregnancy can also be established by the fact that the rate of calcium loss through urine is the highest during pregnancy. To ensure proper absorption of calcium by the blood stream, vitamin D or multi-vitamin tablets should also be consumed. In addition to these, a calcium-rich diet, regular exercise and good-quality calcium supplements help to ensure healthy pregnancies.

Because of urinary calcium excretion, pregnant women are at high risk of developing kidney stones. Extra care should be taken in the context of diet and other factors during pregnancy. Avoid too much protein-rich foods coming from animal sources, and try to drink milk regularly.

In addition to this, also try to avoid soft drinks, too much sugar and salt, coffee, tea, tobacco and alcohol. All these things are not only dangerous for the baby but also increase the rate of calcium loss.

Hypertension and depression are two of the most common symptoms seen in pregnant women. These again are caused due to severe calcium and other minerals’ deficiency. Heavy medication and inactivity also contribute to calcium loss and interfere in other processes. Similarly, high levels of phosphorus in the blood and high level of parathyroid hormone are dangerous for health.

To ensure a healthy pregnancy and long-term health after delivery, try to find the highest quality calcium supplements available out there. The best ones are those which have been made by mixing a calcium salt with sources of some other minerals and vitamins. These nutrients include magnesium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and sodium.

The importance of sufficient calcium intake and pregnancy cannot be overemphasized. Try to eat a balanced diet and don’t sit idle for long durations of time.

By: John Gibb