Are combined calcium-magnesium supplements better for bone than calcium alone?
No, in healthy individuals consuming typical U.S. diets, magnesium supplements are not recommended. Magnesium is widely available in a diet plentiful in nuts, seeds, legumes, certain green vegetables, and whole grains among other sources. In healthy individuals there is no risk associated with high intakes of magnesium from foods, however, chronic intake of excess magnesium from supplements (containing more than 350mg/day) may be associated with complications such as diarrhea. There is no good clinical evidence that magnesium supplements reduce fracture risk in the healthy population. Magnesium supplements are not recommended for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in the general population. On the other hand, magnesium supplements may be prescribed for individuals with certain conditions or diseases that increase magnesium losses or reduce magnesium absorption. Some examples of these conditions include malabsorption syndromes (as a result of vomiting and/or diarrhea), alcoholi
