Is Magnesium the Missing Element Causing Your Osteopenia?

Are you concerned about the possibility of a bone fracture? Have you been taking more than the recommended daily amount (RDA) of calcium for some time without any improvement in your DEXA bone density scan?

Is magnesium the missing element causing your osteopenia?

Let's consider that possibility:

• What is magnesium?

• Why do you need magnesium?

• What foods provide magnesium?

Magnesium is the fourth most prevalent mineral in the body. About one half of the total magnesium in the body is found in the bones. Only 1% of your magnesium is needed by your blood. The rest is used by your muscles and nerves.

Magnesium is necessary for over 300 biochemical reactions. Some nutritionists have claimed that it acts much like a hormone because it affects so many bodily functions. It is needed to regulate your heart's rhythm. In fact your heart cannot beat without magnesium. Some Emergency Rooms automatically give magnesium intravenously to every heart attack patient they receive.

For the diabetic, magnesium is needed to regulate blood sugar levels and for energy metabolism. It is vital in promoting normal blood pressure. It also helps to keep nerve and muscle functions normal. It also aids immune function.

It is needed in equal amounts as calcium. If you have more calcium than magnesium, the excess calcium is excreted rather than being used by your body. This is one reason why you may take extra calcium and consume lots of dairy products, but still be low in calcium. The needed amount of calcium according to the Agriculture Department's recommended daily allowance has been set at one half the amount of calcium. However, recent researchers have determined that amount needs to be updated to an amount equal to the amount of calcium.

Many believe that the low amount of magnesium we get in our diet has contributed to the skyrocketing rate of heart attacks in our country. And some attribute the increase in osteoporosis to the same deficiency.

Some recommended food sources for magnesium to help you meet your daily need of at least 500 mg. are:

Almonds, 1 ounce dry roasted 80 milligrams (mg)

Cashews, 1 ounce dry roasted 75 mg.

Soybeans, cooked ? cup 75 mg.

Spinach, frozen, cooked ? cup 75 mg.

Nuts, mixed, dry roasted, 1 ounce 65 mg.

Shredded Wheat, 2 biscuits 55 mg.

Oatmeal, 1 cup 55 mg.

Potato, baked w/skin, 1 medium 50 mg

Peanuts, dry roasted, 1 ounce 50 mg.

Plain yogurt or milk ? cup 45 mg.

Peanut Butter (natural) 2 tbsp. 50 mg.

Brown rice, cooked ? cup 40 mg.

Pinto, Kidney, Navy Beans (cooked) 35 mg.

For most of us, it is necessary to take a supplement to get the recommended amount of this important mineral. A chelated form (which has a protein coating) is recommended for best absorption.

For more information regarding osteoporosis and osteopenia, please visit my blog at: Reverse Osteopenia for a free PDF on the dangers of bone density drugs, and the ebook, 7 Secrets to Reverse Osteoporosis and Osteopenia. Your comments and questions are very welcome.

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Osteopenia Symptoms? Too Little and Too Late

Osteopenia is a condition of lower than normal bone mineral density (BMD) that has a T score between -1 and -2.5 on a bone density test-also known as a DXA or DEXA scan. Osteopenia may be a precursor of osteoporosis (which occurs with even lower bone density) but it does necessarily mean that bone loss will continue. It is normal to lose some bone density as we age although a rapid loss is a serious warning sign that something is out of balance.

Rather than experiencing osteopenia symptoms, most people discover they have osteopenia during a medical check-up. It is recommended that women have a baseline bone density scan when they reach perimenopause (menstrual irregularity occurring usually between 45 and 55) or earlier if they are at risk from the use of certain medications. Men should request a bone density test at age 70 or earlier if using corticosteroids or prostate cancer drugs.

Our bones will have lost a significant amount of density before we experience any clear osteopenia symptoms. But once our bones approach levels closer to osteoporosis, we may experience the following warning signs:

Dull pain in the bones or muscles, particularly in the lower back or neck

Severe back pain if the spine is fractured or collapsed

Loss of height due to spinal compression fractures, with an accompanying stooped posture

Fracture of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones

As bone loss continues, sharp pains may arrive suddenly and increase with activity that puts weight on the affected area. The pain generally begins to subside in one week but may linger for three months or longer.

With continued bone loss, fractures of the spine (vertebra) can cause severe band-like pain that radiates from the back to the side of the body. Over the years, repeated spine fractures can cause chronic lower back pain as well as loss of height or curving of the spine, which give the individual a hunched-back appearance of the upper back, often called a dowager hump.

Rather than wait for osteoporosis symptoms, a bone density test can provide an excellent measure of our bone health so that we can take steps to prevent further deterioration. Fortunately, research shows that proper diet, supplements, exercise and sometimes medication can halt and even reverse osteopenia.

For information on an affordable supplement program that helps to treat osteopenia symptoms as well as reinforce the benefits of prescription medication...visit http://www.osteoporosis-vitamins.com/osteoporosis-treatment-guidelines.html.

Darlene Varaleau is a lawyer and business person by profession. After being diagnosed with osteopenia, she developed http://osteoporosis-vitamins.com to explore natural osteoporosis treatment options. The site provides information on affordable calcium and vitamin supplements, strontium, progesterone cream and exercise. She loves getting suggestions for improving the site, so please drop by for a visit.

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