Osteoporosis and bone fractures are associated with many complications and premature death, especially among older adults. Millions of people therefore take calcium supplements, vitamin D, or a combination of both to support bone health. But according to a new meta-analysis published in The British Medical Journal, these supplements provide little or no benefit. The findings also suggest that high levels of calcium in the blood from various supplements may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, blood clots, and cellular stress. It is therefore important to recognize that bone health also involves magnesium and vitamin K2, which help remove calcium from the bloodstream and deposit it in the bones.

Calcium and magnesium are vital for our bones, nervous system, muscles, heart, blood pressure, and many other functions. It is essential to maintain the right balance between the two minerals that work in a team and can easily be compared to yin and yang. Vitamin D is also needed for the uptake and utilization of the minerals. Still, deficiencies of all three nutrients are widespread and that increases the risk of infections, neurological disturbances, muscle cramps, constipation, hypertension, osteoporosis, cancer, and a number of other grave diseases. In our part of the world, many people get too much calcium from dairy products and supplements. That can disrupt the delicate balance between calcium and magnesium and result in oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cell death.