Name: Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc
Scientific Name:
Intro: Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc are three essential minerals necessary for good health. Calcium and Magnesium help maintain healthy bones while Zinc is essential for cell division and growth. Zinc also helps support the immune system.
Calcium: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Average healthy males have about two and a half to three pounds of calcium while females have about two pounds. Approximately 99 percent of calcium is present in the bones and teeth, which leaves only about one percent in cells and body fluids. While the most important function of calcium involves the maintenance of skeletal health, the small percentage of calcium outside the bones is used to maintain a variety of vital body functions.
Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in the interaction of more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body. It is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses, temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production and the formation of healthy bones and teeth. It is also vital for cardiovascular health
Zinc: Zinc is necessary for the functioning of over 300 different enzymes and, as such, it plays a vital role in an enormous number of biological processes. Much attention has been placed on this mineral for its role in the immune system. In humans, the highest concentrations of zinc are found in the liver, pancreas, kidneys, bone, and muscles.
Nutrient Content:
Benefits:
Comments: The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau recommends a daily dosage of approximately 1200 mg of Calcium, 400 mg of Magnesium and 25 mg of Zinc.
Caution: Calcium has possible interactions with the following:
EDTA
EDTA binds to calcium which increases the elimination of calcium from the body. Check with your healthcare professional to determine if supplementation with this nutrient is necessary
Tetracycline
Tetracycline antibiotics bind to calcium in the stomach which prevents its absorption into the body. Check with your healthcare professional to determine if supplementation with this nutrient is necessary.
These drugs include tetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
Calcium can decrease the absorption of these drugs when taken by mouth at the same time. Therefore, calcium supplements and milk/dairy products should not be taken at the same time as this class of antibiotics. Separate the doses by at least two hours. These drugs include ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, lomefloxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin, alatrofloxacin .
Levothyroxine
Calcium carbonate can decrease the absorption of levothyroxine, which may alter the effects of these medications and possibly the dose needed for treatment. Use with caution
Iron
Calcium can inhibit the absorption of iron. This interaction may alter the effects of iron and possibly the dose needed for treatment
Aminoglycosides
A study has shown that gentamicin reduces the amount of calcium in the body. Check with your healthcare professional to determine if supplementation with this nutrient is necessary. These drugs include streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, amakacin, netilmicin, neomycin, paromomycin .
Anticonvulsants
Studies have shown that these drugs may decrease absorption of calcium. Check with your healthcare professional to determine if supplementation with this nutrient is necessary. These drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, gabapentin, valproic acid, felbamate, lamotrigine, mephenytoin, fosphenytoin, clonazepam, ethosuximide, diazepam, clorazepate dipotassium, levatiracetam, tiagabine, topiramate, methsuximide, phensuximide, trimethadione, magnesium sulfate, acetazolamide, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, ethotoin .
Salicylates
Aspirin and sodium salicylate are capable of reducing the amount of calcium in the body. Check with your healthcare professional to determine if supplementation with this nutrient is necessary. These drugs include aspirin, choline salicylate, sodium salicylate, magnesium salicylate, salsalate, diflunisal, sodium thiosalicylate
Magnesium has possible interactions with the following:
Penicillamine
This medication has been reported to bind with magnesium, which may decrease the absorption of both the drug and iron. Supplementation with the affected nutrient and adjustment in the drug dosage may be necessary
Tetracryclines
These antibiotics have been reported to bind with magnesium, which may decrease the absorption of both the drug and magnesium. Supplementation with the affected nutrient and adjustment in the drug dosage may be necessary.
These drugs include tetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline
Amphotericin
This medication is reported to cause increased elimination of magnesium in the urine. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Corticosteroid Medications
Long term use of these medications has shown a decrease in magnesium blood levels. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, betamethasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, cortisone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, fluticasone, fludrocortisone, mometasone .
HRT
Hormone replacement therapy has been reported to decrease magnesium levels in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include conjugated estrogens, estradiol, estrone, esterified estrogens, estropipate, ethinyl estradiol, progesterone, medroxyprogesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, norethindrone .
Loop Diuretics
These medications are reported to cause increased elimination of magnesium in the urine. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, torsemide
Oral Contraceptives
These medications may cause a loss of magnesium resulting in decreased magnesium levels in the blood. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include norethindrone, ethynodiol diacetate, norgestrel, norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone, desogestrel, levonorgestrel .
Thiazide Diuretics
These medications are reported to cause increased elimination of magnesium in the urine. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include hydrochlorothiazide, chlorothiazide, indapamide, metolazone, chlorthalidone, hydroflumethiazide, polythiazide, trichlormethiazide, benzthiazide, methyclothiazide, bendroflumethiazide .
Calcium
Magnesium absorption from the digestive tract may be decreased by large doses of calcium. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Zinc has possible interactions with the following
H-2 Receptor Antagonists
These medications decrease the amount of stomach acid which may reduce the absorption of this nutrient. Supplementation with affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, rantidine.
ACE Inhibitors
These medications may decrease the amount of zinc in the body due to increased elimination in the urine. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include benazepril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, fosinopril,moexipril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril, perindopril erbumine
Valproic Acid
This medication has been reported to cause a significant decrease in zinc levels in the blood. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Copper
Zinc and copper are capable of decreasing the absorption of the other from the digestive tract. Supplementation with affected nutrient(s) may be necessary.