[fabdou]

Does anyone have thoughts regarding the need for Magnesium supplementation if you are also taking Vitamin D? Seem to remember reading that the body consumes Magnesium to convert the oral D3 supplements one takes into a form the body can use. Therefore, Vitamin D supplementation may produce Magnesium deficiency. This may then prevent Vit D levels from rising, as well as other problems associated with Magnesium deficiency.

[mrsD]

This is a good question, and thank you for putting it up:

This is what the Vitamin D council says:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsl...-answers.shtml

Magnesium is needed by a huge number of systems in our bodies. (estimates at about 300) It is used in our cells to make ATP.

Since the information about vitamins is ever changing with time and new studies, it is hard to be specific about a question like this. For example this is a link to Acu-Cell testing....
http://www.acu-cell.com/acn.html

It is a complex subject, magnesium, and high levels appear to be just as dangerous as low ones.

So staying within the RDAs for both, and having target values to reach, remain the best advice for now.
I see the recommendation often to keep magnesium supplements at a target of 1/2 the RDA...for this reason.
If you eat lots of whole foods/nuts, etc you may not need a supplement at all, unless you are diabetic or using diuretics.

And I just saw a blog entry by a cardiologist who does not recommend high dose calcium supplements for those taking high dose D3.
http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/20...vitamin-d.html

Since Vit D also increases magnesium absorption, I would think that this recommendation would also be something to apply to magnesium supplements.

[fabdou]

Thanks for the links Mrs D. It certainly is something to look at if Vitamin D levels are not responding to supplementation.

[mrsD]

If you are using D2 instead of D3, that could be a problem.

Also I have seen some suggestions that people who have more fat on their bodies, may store D3 there, making it unavailable to the rest of the body.

It is also best to consider a softgel type rather than a dry powder form. Some people advocate liquid drops too, for this reason.

I would get out in the sun more too.