Bone Abstracts

Background: In the National Osteoporosis Guide 2014 all the patients are first recommended adequate calcium and vitamin D intake. For additional treatment US FDA approves the use of medications within seven different drug groups, but no magnesium. We have therefore studied the beneficial effect of Mg added to a Ca/vitamin D regime.

Study: Fifty healthy women aged above 70 years recruited from elderly center were randomized into a Mg supplementation group (Mg+) and a control group (Mg−). They were all given for 28 days twice daily tablets with calcium 500 mg and vitamin D₃ 5 μg Weifa. In the (Mg+) group they received Mg 120 mg Takedanycomed x 2 and in the (Mg−) group placebo x 2. They were seen at day 0, day 7 and day 28 with blood sampling at the same time of the day. The study was accepted by the Regional etical commitee ref. 584-05-99010, Clinical Trials gov Registration NCT 02549521.

Results: The concentration differences (Mean±S.D.) from 0 to 28 days were for Mg supplemented (n=23), and placebo (n=22) respectively: S-Mg (mmol) 0.04±0.05**, 0.02±0.05*; Ratio U-Ca/creatinine (μmol/μmol) 0.11±0.15¶¶, and 0.10±0.25; Ratio U-Mg/creatinine (μmol/μmol) 0.12±0.14¶¶ and −0.02±0.12##; PTH (pmol/l) −0.88±1.65*, and 0.55±1.83; S-Bone ALP (μ/l) 0.25±3.53, and −0.86±4.46; S-Osteocalcin (nmol/l) 0.46±0.39¶¶ and 0.12±0.12; S-1-CTP (μg/l) 0.10±0.61 and −0.09±0.45; U-PYD/creatinine (nmol/mmol) −1.52±3.55¶ and −1.76±4.97; U-NTx/creatinine (nmolBCE/mmol/l creatinine) −19.1±32.0¶¶ and −32.5±38.0.#. Parret t-test P≤0.05*, P≤0.01**. Wilcoxon sign rank test P≤0.05¶, P≤0.01¶¶. Comparison between groups Mann–Whitney U-test, P≤0.05 #, P<0.01##.

Conclusion: From the point of calcium and bone metabolism these results show the benefit of Mg supplementation in addition to supplementation with Ca and vitamin D. Patent pending.