Balanced levels of calcium and magnesium is of utmost importance to our health but how well do we understand their place and meaning for the body? Because of the constant media exposure, online and offline ads, we all know that vitamins and minerals are necessary prerequisites to optimal health. However, it is often the case that a good diet is not enough to provide all nutrients in their proper amounts. 

These chemical elements, most of which are metals (such as, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium) play part in many biochemical reactions responsible for our metabolism. They also partake in functions that ensure optimal cellular health. Some of these minerals bind with cell components, thus creating new ion bonds in the molecule. Others serve as guards that regulate the stream of nutrients that passes through the cell membrane and reaches the core of the cell. Others yet, connect with different enzymes in order to form active catalyzers. Two of these minerals are fairly well-known. These are calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and we will explore their importance in the following article.

The importance of magnesium

Recent research shows that almost 80% of US citizens and around 70% of all Europeans do not get enough magnesium through food. More than 300 biochemical reactions rely on this one mineral.

Magnesium, along with calcium, potassium, sodium and chloride, is an electrolyte that is absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of the brain, nerves, heart, eyes, immune system, and muscles. When we have optimal magnesium levels, our body thrives. When magnesium is low, a plethora of health problems may occur - some of them more serious than others, but all very unpleasant.

In recent years studies have shown that magnesium is also an important anti-inflammatory agent. In other words, magnesium deficit in the blood may lead to tissue inflammations and various symptoms that go along with them. The deficit of this particular mineral can also lead to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, heart problems, hypertension and some forms of cancer. Let us take a closer look at the connection between calcium and magnesium. It may surprise you how important it is. Two major health problems (osteoporosis and arthritis) can be caused in part by low levels of magnesium. When we properly know how calcium absorption works, we gain a better understanding of these two illnesses and how to prevent them.

Calcium, magnesium, and osteoporosis

Magnesium is vital for calcium absorption. Low levels of magnesium lead to assimilation of calcium in soft tissues and arthritis. In cases of arthritis, because calcium is by soft tissues its levels in the blood drop dramatically and it cannot reach the bones where it is actually needed. 

However, intake of extra calcium does not prove to be a solution to the problem. On the contrary, in many cases it makes the condition of the patient even worse. In fact, intake of too much calcium and not enough magnesium can deepen the symptoms of arthritis and osteoporosis. In other words, the solution here is to modify your calcium intake while also making sure that you supply your body with enough magnesium.

When calcium levels rise, the mineral stimulates the secretion of a hormone known as calcitonin and suppresses the secretion of the parathyroid hormone (PTH). These hormones regulate calcium levels in the bones and soft tissues. Therefore, they are directly linked to arthritis and osteoporosis. 

Parathyroid hormone extracts calcium from the bones and transports it to the soft tissues. On the other hand, calcitonin increases calcium levels in the bones and prevents the mineral from being absorbed by soft tissues. 

This delicate balance is determined by the amounts of magnesium in the bloodstream.

Since magnesium suppresses PTH and stimulates calcitonin, this mineral is considered vital for the retention of calcium in the bones. Because of its ability to prevent calcium absorption by the soft tissues, magnesium is a major protective agent against osteoporosis and arthritis. Low levels of magnesium lead to a specific hormonal imbalance that no amounts of calcium can fix. 

Even though magnesium helps aids with the calcium retention, too much calcium in the bloodstream decreases the body’s ability to absorb magnesium. In other words, ingesting calcium in high quantities without the right amounts of magnesium can lead to malabsorption and even deficit of magnesium. Whatever the case may be, the only way to fix the problem is to adjust the levels of magnesium intake. 

A magnesium-rich diet can be very beneficial not only for the prevention, but also for the treatment of osteoporosis and arthritis. Foods that contain this mineral in higher amounts include nuts, whole grain foods, such as rice, millet, buckwheat, rye, beans, lentils, and peas. 

On the other hand, a diet rich in dairy products and low on whole grains can lead to calcium excess and magnesium deficiency. Your menstrual cramps, for instance, may be caused by the consumption of too much cheese, yogurt, or ice-cream and not enough grains and beans in your diet. Modifying your eating habits and introducing more magnesium-rich foods to your body can help you get rid of the painful menstrual cramps once and for all. 

Coxamin Magne - 60 tablets - can be a great help in this process. This is a complex multivitamin product which contains 74 elements all obtained from natural resources.

Coxamin Magne is derived from calcified red seaweed - Lithothamnion Calcareum. This particular plant species is usually found around the clear coasts of Southwest Ireland and West Iceland. In their short lifespan of 4 to 5 years the seaweed absorb extremely high amounts of minerals. 

Lithothamnion Calcareum is rich in calcium, but not only. It contains 74 different nutrients in total, some of them being magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, silicium, sodium, chloride, borum, copper, iodine, flourinde, zinc, selenium and strontium. 

Since all of these minerals come from a natural plant material, they are easily absorbed by the human body. This means that by using Coxamin Magne you are exposed to virtually no side effects. Common problems that occur with the consumption of mineral-rich supplements include constipation, poor digestion and general feeling of heaviness. 

This seaweed-based calcium supplements directs the mineral straight to your bones where it is actually needed. Because it is also high in magnesium, the calcium from Coxamin Magne does not reach the soft tissues or the blood vessels.

Coxamin Magne has the following benefits for your overall health:

• Helps in building of the bones - the ingredients of the supplement stimulate optimal bone growth by remodeling the bone and improving its mineral density;
• Protects the bones - by preventing calcium loss and minimizing the risk of osteoporosis and other degenerative bone conditions;
• Prevents the loss of bone mass;
• Microelements, along with calcium, lower the risk of osteopenia, decrease the loss of bone marrow which comes naturally with aging, especially for menopausal women. Improved bone health leads to better bone mobility in the later stages of life;
• Actively repairs lost bone mass by providing all element that are required for the reconstruction of bone tissue in conditions, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures;
• Decreases inflammation responses in patients with arthritis.

Coxamin Magne has a very particular structure which is divided into three main polymorphic forms - calcit, aragonit and waterit. We have added vitamin B3 to the incredible complex of 74 natural minerals. This particular vitamin ensures optimal absorption. 

Coxamin Magne is manifactured by a standardized product (Lіthоthаmnіоn Саlсаrеum) and has been awared the following quality certificates - Коѕhеr, Наlаl, UЅА FDА „GRАЅ”, ЕU Неаlth, Nоn GМО, ІЅО и НАССР.

Optimal calcium to magnesium ratio

The 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium has been first proposed by the French researcher Jean Durlach. Durlach suggests that the high amounts of calcium in the body prevent magnesium absorption. According to him, overall calcium intake should be up to 2 times as much as overall magnesium intake and the ratio should not be bigger. 

What does this mean? In precise terms this means that if you ingest 300 mg of magnesium daily, your calcium intake should not be more than 600 mg daily. A lower ratio of calcium to magnesium is considered safe. 

It is important to note that the principle of Durlach applies specifically to elemental calcium and magnesium and is not applicable to their compounds. This principle should include not only supplements, but also any kinds of food and drinks. 

Calcium cannot be properly utilized without magnesium. These two minerals are like the two sides of the same physiological coin: they are antagonists but work as a team.

Let us illustrate their relationship:

• Calcium exists mainly outside of the cells, while magnesium is almost entirely found within the cells of the body;
• Calcium stimulates nerves, while magnesium relaxes them;
• Calcium, along with potassium, creates muscle contractions, while magnesium is responsible for their relaxation;
• Calcium is a precursor to blood clotting which is vital for wound healing. Magnesium, on the other hand, provides a steady flow of blood and acts as a blood thinner in cases where clots may be dangerous;
• Calcium is found mostly in the bones and is responsible for their thickness, magnesium is important for the structure of soft tissues;
• Bone matrix (the soft inside of the bone) contains proteins and magnesium which make bones flexible and stable at the same time.

The most important take of all the information presented in this article is as follows - make sure you provide your body with the right ratio of calcium to magnesium. They are absolutely necessary together and work as a team. Recent research shows that magnesium is most effective when it is combined with the right amounts of calcium. Magnesium is extremely important for the normal function of the muscles, nerves and brain, especially in high-performing athletes. Because of its rich and natural composition, Coxamin Magne is the perfect source of plant-based, highly-absorbable magnesium.