Most of us take bone health and strength for granted – with no routine screening in the UK, osteoporosis is usually only diagnosed after a hip or wrist fracture. Bone loss, however, starts decades earlier since we reach peak bone mass around age 30 and lose ~1% per year thereafter, accelerating to 2-3% per year in the post-menopausal period for women. Osteoporosis, a condition of low bone mineral density, leads to fragile, brittle bones and is surprisingly common, affecting over 3 million people in the UK, with an osteoporotic fracture occurring every 3 seconds worldwide. The lifetime risk for a wrist, hip or vertebral fracture is ~35% in developed countries, similar to the risk of coronary heart disease. 

Thankfully, there’s a lot we can do to support the 206 bones in our bodies. Along with regular weight-bearing exercise and avoiding smoking, excess alcohol, caffeine and salt consumption, ensuring adequate intake of 5 key nutrients involved in bone health goes a long way: calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and boron.  

Dairy is a rich source of calcium, but since we’re consuming less nowadays, and especially if you’ve chosen to follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, it’s easy to fall short of targets. Similarly, many of us don’t get enough magnesium and, with the paucity of sunshine in the UK, vitamin D insufficiency is common. Vitamin K2 MK7 is surprisingly difficult to obtain from the diet, and while K1 can be converted to K2 in the body, few of us eat enough leafy greens daily. You’re at an increased risk of osteoporosis if you’re female, have a family history of the condition, had an early menopause, use steroid tablets long-term or have a low body mass index. 

These 5 crucial minerals and vitamins mentioned above work together in a beautifully orchestrated synergy, building the foundation of good bone health: 

• Vitamin D helps the body absorb more calcium and decreases falls in the elderly, helping those with osteoporosis avoid fractures 
• While Vitamin D increases calcium absorption from the gut, vitamin K2 MK-7 distributes it into bones. This keeps calcium out of soft tissues, avoiding any potential contribution to atherosclerosis, which leads to cardiovascular disease (1), as well as arthritis and kidney stones 
  
• Magnesium assists with calcium transport and promotes its deposition in bones 
  
• Working hand-in-hand, vitamin D enhances magnesium absorption, while magnesium is essential for converting vitamin D to its active form 
  
• Boron supports the absorption of calcium and magnesium and decreases their excretion. It also directly stimulates cells that build bone and increases vitamin D absorption 
  

We’re excited to launch Igennus’ expertly formulated new product, Calcium & Magnesium Marine Mineral Complex with Vitamin D3, K2 and Boron. It combines scientifically proven nutrients with inspiration from nature, bringing you a plant-based supplement targeted at supporting bone health, teeth & muscles.

• Our all-natural, whole food calcium is sourced from algae growing in pristine Icelandic water. These hardy algae resemble coral due to accumulating impressive amounts of calcium, magnesium and trace minerals in their tough skeleton. They’re harvested using an organic, chemical-free and sustainable process. With a unique honeycomb, porous structure, this plant-based calcium’s increased surface area makes it easier to digest and absorb than its rock-derived counterpart
• We boost the magnesium content, ensuring an optimal calcium:magnesium ratio, by adding purified, mineral-rich seawater, high in elemental magnesium, with superior gut solubility 
  
• Sourced from algae, our vegan vitamin D is in the most effective D3 form  
• We use all-trans MK-7 K2 – nature-identical, biologically active and soya free – in an extremely favourable D3:K2 ratio to ensure calcium is directed into bones rather than soft tissue 
  
• Boron completes the quintet in a high-strength 3mg dose 
  
• Additional marine trace minerals include zinc and selenium 

• Most supplemental calcium comes in the carbonate form, derived from limestone. This commonly used form of calcium is cheap, but, unsurprisingly, difficult to digest
• Magnesium oxide is the most common form of magnesium used, almost always present, even if undeclared on the label. Don’t be fooled by the high elemental magnesium content – it’s extremely insoluble, with a dismal absorption rate of only 4% and can cause loose stools  
  
• Watch out for the less active vitamin D2 instead of D3 
  
• In place of MK-7 vitamin K2, supplements that include vitamins K1 or MK-4 K2 won’t be as beneficial for your bones 
  
• Check the dose – boron may be included but often at less than the clinically effective 3mg dose 
  

As well as supporting bone, teeth and muscle health in men and women of all ages, our supplement is ideal for women in the peri-menopausal period and beyond. 

Magnesium may help with menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes (2-4), low mood and fatigue. Post-menopausal women with lower magnesium levels are more prone to depression (5), while higher total magnesium intake has been associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer in post-menopausal women (6) and insomnia in the elderly. (7) Boron may assist with menopausal symptoms by increasing hormone levels. (8)

The unique algae-derived calcium we use was the 2016 winner of the NutraIngredients ‘Ingredient of the Year for Healthy Ageing’ award. In osteoarthritis, it has been shown to reduce inflammation, thereby improving physical activity and enabling a reduction in anti-inflammatory medication. (9) In addition, this marine calcium is showing promise in gut and brain health. (10) A balanced blend of these 5 nutrients may provide relief from leg cramps, fibromyalgia (11), restless leg syndrome (7) and sleep disorders. 

As supplement bioavailability is hugely dependent on how much you can absorb at a given time, we split the daily dose into 2 tablets for optimal uptake. Igennus’ Calcium & Magnesium Algae Mineral Complex is suitable for vegans & vegetarians, and halal and kosher diets. 

Look after your bones today, and they’ll support you tomorrow. 

1. Geleijnse JM. et al. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study. J Nutr. 2004 Nov;134(11):3100-5. 
2. Parazzini F., Di Martino M. & Pellegrino P. Magnesium in the gynecological practice: a literature review. Magnes Res. 2017 Feb 1;30(1):1-7. doi: 10.1684/mrh.2017.0419. 
   
3. Park H. et al. A pilot phase II trial of magnesium supplements to reduce menopausal hot flashes in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2011 Jun;19(6):859-63. doi: 10.1007/s00520-011-1099-7. 
4. Smith TJ. Magnesium supplements for menopausal hot flashes. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Mar 1;27(7):1151-2. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2009.21.3629. 
5. Szkup M. et al. Analysis of Relations Between the Level of Mg, Zn, Ca, Cu, and Fe and Depressiveness in Postmenopausal Women. Biol Trace Elem Res (2017) 176: 56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0798-9 
6. Gorczyca AM. et al. Association between magnesium intake and risk of colorectal cancer among postmenopausal women. Cancer Causes Control. 2015 Dec;26(12):1761-9. doi: 10.1007/s10552-015-0669-2. Epub 2015 Sep 21. 
7. Hornyak M. et al. Magnesium therapy for periodic leg movements-related insomnia and restless legs syndrome: an open pilot study. Sleep. 1998 Aug 1;21(5):501-5. 
8. Pizzorno L. Nothing Boring About Boron. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015 Aug;14(4):35-48. 
9. Frestedt JL. et al. A natural mineral supplement provides relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Nutr J. 2008 Feb 17;7:9. 
10. http://aquamin.com/science/other-research-areas/
11. Young-Sam K. et al. Women with Fibromyalgia Have Lower Levels of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese in Hair Mineral Analysis. J Korean Med Sci. 2011 Oct; 26(10): 1253–1257. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.10.1253 
12. Ryan S., O'Gorman DM. & Nolan YM. Evidence that the marine-derived multi-mineral Aquamin has anti-inflammatory effects on cortical glial-enriched cultures. Phytother Res. 2011 May; 25(5):765-7.