While it’s still too early to draw concrete conclusions, there is research that suggests vitamin D may indeed help prevent infection because of its ability to support lung health1 and boost immunity2.* COVID-19 aside, most of us understand it’s important to get enough vitamin D. What isn’t as well known is that it may actually be worth taking with a side of magnesium. Here’s why. Magnesium actually plays a role in over 300 enzyme systems in the body, including the conversion of vitamin D into its active form. That form of vitamin D is needed in the bloodstream to absorb calcium. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, getting the recommended amount of magnesium is critical for obtaining the full benefits of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is another issue affecting more than half the population. This deficiency boils down to a limited number of foods with naturally occurring vitamin D and minimal exposure to the sun. “There are very few foods that contain significant amounts of vitamin D,” says Zara Patel, M.D., a researcher and associate professor at Stanford, “and much of what we produce in our bodies comes from sunlight and UV rays hitting our skin and producing the precursor molecules needed to make this vitamin.” That means for those of us religiously using sunscreen and not eating stacks of fish—a great source of vitamin D!—we may need to supplement. Getting enough of both nutrients is critical. Deficiencies in magnesium and vitamin D have been linked to a number of health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases4, metabolic issues5, and skeletal deformities6. And if you’re routinely consuming refined grains in lieu of whole grains, you may be short on dietary magnesium, which ultimately affects your vitamin D levels. If you choose to supplement with magnesium, “taking less than 300 mg of magnesium for men and 270 mg for women is generally recommended,” Sasse says.* “These are very safe vitamins and supplements, and they can be taken together.”
