[Biochemical findings in osteoporosis. I. The significance of magnesium].

The authors examined in 60 patients with osteoporosis the serum and red cell magnesium and calcium content. Thirty-three patients suffered from senile osteoporosis, 18 patients from postmenopausal osteoporosis and nine had osteoporosis caused by corticoids. In the former two groups were signs of chronic magnesium deficiency, in the third groups there was a trend of low serum calcium levels. The results indicate the important role of magnesium in these disorders of bone metabolism.