Calcium & Magnesium Plus

FUNCTIONS

The adult human body contains approximately 1,200 g of calcium, about 99% of which is present in the skeleton, and 20-30 g of magnesium with about 60% located in bone. The process of building and maintaining bone structure involves numerous biochemical and physiological processes.

Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are the two primary types of bone cells involved in maintaining skeletal structure. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone mineralization (building new bone). Osteoclasts are responsible for secreting acid and enzymes that help dissolve “old” bone tissue into calcium and other components, some of which may be reused by the body. This process is known as “resorption.” In children and adolescents, the rate of formation of bone mineral predominates over the rate of resorption. In later life, resorption predominates over formation. Therefore, in normal aging, there is a gradual loss of bone.

It is generally accepted that obtaining enough dietary calcium throughout life can significantly decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis. Among other factors, such as regular exercise, gender and race, calcium supplementation during childhood and adolescence appears to be a prerequisite for maintaining adequate bone density later in life. But even elderly osteoporotic patients can benefit significantly from supplementation with dietary calcium. Other nutrients like boron, an essential trace mineral, are required for various hormonal process that impact bone health, and help support the functions of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.