A Randomized Controlled Study of Effects of Dietary Magnesium Oxide Supplementation on Bone Mineral Content in Healthy Girls

Context: The role of magnesium (Mg) as a determinant of bone mass has not been extensively explored. Limited studies suggest that dietary Mg intake and bone mineral density are correlated in adults, but no data from interventional studies in children and adolescents are available. Objective: We sought to determine whether Mg supplementation in periadolescent girls enhances accrual of bone mass. Design: We carried out a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized, one-year double-blind trial of Mg supplementation. Setting: The study was conducted in the Clinical Research Centers at Yale University School of Medicine. Patients or Other Participants: Healthy 8- to 14-yr-old Caucasian girls were recruited from community pediatricians’ offices. Dietary diaries from over 120 volunteers were analyzed, and those with dietary Mg intake of less than 220 mg/d were invited to participate in the intervention. Intervention: Magnesium (300 mg elemental Mg per day in two divided doses) or placebo was given orally for 12 ...