Calcium/Magnesium

Health Tips / Calcium/Magnesium

What Is It?

These two important minerals are often combined into one convenient product. Such combinations are a practical way to prevent or treat myriad ailments, from back pain and perimenopause to PMS and endometriosis. While there is little to distinguish one calcium/magnesium product from another, it’s smart to take a combination that includes different forms of the key minerals (such as calcium citrate, carbonate, and malate; and magnesium citrate, aspartate, and glycinate) as insurance that at least one will get absorbed into your system and do its work.

For more information on calcium or magnesium, see the separate entries in the WholeHealth Chicago Reference Library.

General Interaction

The amount of calcium or magnesium is generally smaller in combination products than in individual mineral supplements. Therefore, the best approach for anyone concerned about possible interactions with a specific drug or dietary supplement is to refer to the separate calcium or magnesium entry in our WholeHealth Chicago Reference Library.

Cautions

If you have thyroid, kidney, or heart disease, consult your doctor before taking a calcium/magnesium combination.

Ailments-Dosage

Aging 500-800 mg calcium twice a day and 250-400 mg magnesium twice a day
Anxiety and Panic 1,000 mg of calcium and 400-800 mg of magnesium a day
Back Pain 1,000 mg calcium and 400-800 mg magnesium a day
Depression 500 mg calcium and 250 mg magnesium a day
Endometriosis 1,000 mg calcium and 400-500 mg magnesium a day
Epilepsy 500 mg calcium and 250 mg magnesium twice a day
High Blood Pressure 800-1200 mg calcium; 400-800 mg magnesium a day
Insomnia 600 mg calcium and 600 mg magnesium at bedtime for nighttime leg cramps especially during pregnancy
Migraine 1,000 mg calcium and 400-800 mg magnesium a day. If diarrhea develops at 800 mg magnesium, cut back to 400 mg. Adjust the dosage to account for the amounts in your multivitamin.
Perimenopause 800-1,200 mg calcium and 400-800 mg magnesium twice a day to lower risk of osteoporosis. To enhance calcium absorption, be sure to get adequate vitamin D, commonly found in sunlight, multivitamins, and enriched dairy products.
PMS 1,000 mg calcium and 400-500 mg magnesium a day. This is in addition to the amount found in your daily multivitamin.

For product recommendations and orders from the Natural Apothecary click here or call 773-296-6700, ext. 2001.

Be well,
David Edelberg, MD