When we think of nutrients for healthy bones, calcium is the first that usually comes to mind. But magnesium and calcium actually work together to maintain strong bones.

In fact, adequate magnesium is important for proper absorption and metabolism of calcium; if you want to increase one, you have to increase the other.

Magnesium also stimulates the thyroid gland’s production of the bone-preserving hormone calcitonin, and regulates parathyroid hormone, which regulates the normal breakdown of bone so that calcium can be used by the body.

The third component necessary for strong bones is vitamin D, and magnesium is also necessary for converting it to the active form.

This is why even mild magnesium deficiency is reported to be a leading risk factor for osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease that occurs primarily in women.