Bone Health: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, & Boron

“50% of all women develop osteoporosis. This disease currently affects about 20 to 25 million Americans… 1.5 to 2.0 million men are affected by this disease, including every 1 in 8 men over 50.1”

Calcium

The most abundant mineral in the human body, Calcium helps the body primarily by regulating metabolic and hormone processes, muscle contraction, wound healing, blood clotting, blood pressure maintenance, and nerve transmission. The most important attribute of calcium, however, is its ability to build strong bones and teeth.

Calcium is one of the most important minerals needed by the body, but which is typically lacking in the diet. Also, only an estimated 20-30% of calcium in the diet is absorbed by the body. Because of the fact that almost everybody is not able to obtain enough calcium, this happens to be where calcium supplements are extremely beneficial.

Calcium is also said to be able to help with reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and colon cancer, in addition to preventing osteoporosis.

However, Calcium has to be present alongside other essential minerals in order for it to be effective and absorbed by the body. These other minerals are Magnesium, Potassium, Boron, Vitamin D, Silicon, Zinc, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a very important mineral because of its role in bodily processes involving muscle and nerve functions. In addition to that, Magnesium plays a vital part in regulating body temperature, sugar level, blood pressure, metabolism, and protein synthesis.

Magnesium also enables calcium to be absorbed better by the body, which is why severe magnesium deficiency can eventually result in low levels of calcium in the blood. Primarily located in the bones, Magnesium is important especially for bone growth and in maintaining bone density.

Studies are still ongoing as to whether magnesium can help with a person’s energy levels, as well as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Potassium

Potassium is needed by the body in order to regulate bodily processes in the nervous system, skeletal system, the cardiac muscle, as well as for metabolism. Potassium is also known to be able to aid people in reducing hypertension.

People basically get enough potassium from their diets, but there are some who become potassium deficient (hypokalemia) due to taking diuretic drugs or water pills, prolonged vomiting, kidney disease, diarrhea or laxative abuse. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include muscle weakness, intestinal paralysis, fatigue, and cramps, which can then lead to constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Potassium’s role with bone support involves the preservation of bone mass and bone mineral density.

Boron

Boron is another mineral important in bodily functions, particularly for maintenance of joint and bone functions. It has been said to be able to help with disorders such as postmenopausal osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ischemic heart disease.

Boron is also found in the bones and helps with the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Boron basically helps with bone density and metabolism, and with increasing muscle mass and strength.