Bone fractures are affecting a large part of the population, especially among the aged and infirm. While calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health, magnesium is also a vital nutrient. However, magnesium's role in bone fractures has not been documented.
Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Eastern Finland studied 2,245 middle-aged men over two decades. Men with low blood levels of magnesium showed a greater vulnerability to fractures, especially in the hip region. Men who had higher blood levels of magnesium seemed to show a lower risk of suffering from bone fractures.
Scientists also found that dietary magnesium intake did not show any links with fractures. This was found even in earlier studies, according to Medical Express.
Dr. Setor Kunutsor, Research Fellow from the University of Bristol's Musculoskeletal Research Unit and lead researcher, said: "The findings do suggest that avoiding low serum concentrations of magnesium may be a promising though unproven strategy for risk prevention of fractures."
Although blood levels of magnesium depend on magnesium intake from food and water, this may not really be so for people who are older and have some bowel disorders. There are others who might be following some medications. Such people's increase in the intake of magnesium-rich food might not exhibit a shot in the blood magnesium. They can avoid low blood levels of magnesium if they check and treat other conditions and also take magnesium supplements.
Low blood levels of magnesium are widely prevalent among the people, but they do not exhibit symptoms, nor are they measured routinely. However, more checking and diagnosis, especially among the elderly, is important, according to a press release.
Professor Jari Laukkanen from the University of Eastern Finland and the principal investigator said: "The overall evidence suggests that increasing serum magnesium concentrations may protect against the future risk of fractures; however, well-designed magnesium supplementation trials are needed to investigate these potential therapeutic implications."
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