Mineral citrates decried as comprising a large gap in bone health supplements

22 Feb 2023 --- Citrates of calcium, magnesium, zinc and potassium make up a quartet of nutrients that should be considered when developing support and supplement formulas for bone conditions such as osteoporosis, which affects about 200 million people globally, according to Omad Cohen, the CEO of the Israel-based Gadot Biochemical Industries.

Bone degradation conditions such as brittle, porous bone causes nearly nine million fractures annually, which is basically a bone fracture every three seconds around the globe,” says Cohen. 

Mineral citrates can play an important role in bone health, especially for peri-and postmenopausal women.

“With the significant impact of bone diseases and low food and beverage product launches with bone health claims, F&B brands have innovation opportunities to fill this wide-open niche.”

The importance of citrates
Cohen details that – while vitamin D, K2 and calcium are well known bone-supporting nutrients – the citrates of magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc are less known but just as important. 

He further states that there is evidence showing that these minerals are essential for maintaining bone integrity and density and notes that magnesium deficiency can exacerbate the effects of osteoporosis.

Additionally, he highlights that research has found an inverse correlation between serum magnesium levels in the blood and the vascular calcification associated with many cardiovascular diseases.

Moreover, potassium has been shown to support bone health, as well as postmenopausal bone health, and inhibits osteopenia progression – the loss of bone mineral density. At the same time, Cohen says that zinc – usually touted for its immunity-enhancing benefits – has been shown to protect bone health, particularly in women. 

Protecting bones through menopause and beyond
The minerals may also play a role in bone health and strength by stimulating osteoblastic bone formation and mineralization and inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption. 

“Each of these minerals has a role to support bone health in women in the perimenopause and menopause stages,” Cohen underscores.

 “There is still room for innovation in new product development in F&B and nutraceuticals, which are economical ways for women in peri- and post-menopause to support bone health while aging. 

Cohen stresses that the existing gap in these key nutrients need not only be filled by supplements, but also by plant-based beverages and nutritional and meal replacement drinks, which he says is an area with lots of development potential.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols