Dietary Reference Intakes: Magnesium

Special Note

[recommendations reflect elemental magnesium intake from all sources]

General Information

[salt form conversion]

500 mg magnesium gluconate = 27 mg (2.2 mEq) elemental magnesium

400 mg magnesium oxide = 241.3 mg (19.86 mEq) elemental magnesium

500 mg magnesium glycinate = 70.5 mg (5.8 mEq) elemental magnesium

[primary functions]

enzyme cofactor; involved in protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, bone health, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation

[selected sources]

whole grains, nuts, spinach, potatoes

Dietary Reference Intake

[0-6 mo]

30 mg/day; Info: upper limit not established; only sources of intake should be breastmilk, formula, and food

[7-11 mo]

75 mg/day; Info: upper limit not established; only sources of intake should be breastmilk, formula, and food

[1-3 yo]

80 mg/day; Info: supplementation >65 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[4-8 yo]

130 mg/day; Info: supplementation >110 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[9-13 yo]

240 mg/day; Info: supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, females]

360 mg/day; Info: incr. to 400 mg/day if pregnant; supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, males]

410 mg/day; Info: supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19-30 yo, females]

310 mg/day; Info: incr. to 350 mg/day if pregnant; supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19-30 yo, males]

400 mg/day; Info: supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[31 yo and older, females]

320 mg/day; Info: incr. to 360 mg/day if pregnant; supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[31 yo and older, males]

420 mg/day; Info: supplementation >350 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects