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Magnesium

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mineralentity:supplement:magnesium

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Magnesiumentity:ingredient:magnesium

Specific forms

Magnesium glycinatemineral compound
Magnesium citratemineral compound
Magnesium oxidemineral compound

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Magnesium glycinatemineral compound
Magnesium citratemineral compound
Magnesium oxidemineral compound

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 6 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 1997–2012
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

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Evidence types identified

Government reference1
Study type could not be determined5

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Institute of Medicine (IOM). Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997.
Government reference · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:527-37.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed. Baltimore, Mass: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012:159-75.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Volpe SL. Magnesium. In: Erdman JW, Macdonald IA, Zeisel SH, eds. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 10th ed. Ames, Iowa; John Wiley & Sons, 2012:459-74.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Elin RJ. Assessment of magnesium status for diagnosis and therapy. Magnes Res 2010;23:1-5. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Gibson, RS. Principles of Nutritional Assessment, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

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Magnesium, an abundant mineral in the body, is naturally present in many foods, added to other food products, available as a dietary supplement, and present in some medicines (e.g., antacids, laxatives). Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation [1-3]. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm [3].

An adult body contains approximately 25 grams magnesium, with 50% to 60% present in the bones and most of the rest in soft tissues [4]. Less than 1% of total magnesium is in blood serum, and these levels are kept under tight control. Normal serum magnesium concentrations range between 0.75 and 0.95 millimoles/liter(mmol/L) [1,5]. Hypomagnesemia is defined as a serum magnesium level less than 0.75 mmol/L [6]. Magnesium homeostasis is largely controlled by the kidneys, which typically excrete about 120 milligrams (mg) magnesium into the urine each day [2]. Urinary excretion is reduced when magnesium status is low [1].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Introduction
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 7 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 1997–2013
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

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Evidence types identified

Government reference1
Pharmacokinetic study1
Study type could not be determined5

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Institute of Medicine (IOM). Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997.
Government reference · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Ranade VV, Somberg JC. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of magnesium after administration of magnesium salts to humans. Am J Ther 2001;8:345-57. [PubMed abstract]
Pharmacokinetic study · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Musso CG Magnesium metabolism in health and disease. Int Urol Nephrol 2009;41:357-62. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Magnesium. 2013.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Kutsal E, Aydemir C, Eldes N, Demirel F, Polat R, Taspnar O, Kulah E. Severe hypermagnesemia as a result of excessive cathartic ingestion in a child without renal failure. Pediatr Emerg Care 2007;23:570-2. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
McGuire JK, Kulkarni MS, Baden HP. Fatal hypermagnesemia in a child treated with megavitamin/megamineral therapy. Pediatrics 2000;105:E18. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Onishi S, Yoshino S. Cathartic-induced fatal hypermagnesemia in the elderly. Intern Med 2006;45:207-10. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Although the risk of acquiring too much magnesium from food is low among healthy people, high doses of magnesium from dietary supplements or medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Very high doses of magnesium can lead to magnesium toxicity, which can cause hypotension, vomiting, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, and other signs and symptoms. A few cases of fatal hypermagnesemia have been reported. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for supplemental magnesium is 350 mg for adults, and it ranges from 65 to 350 mg for children and adolescents, depending on age.

UL reference intakeSource intake rangeSource-described amount

Too much magnesium from food does not pose a health risk in healthy individuals because the kidneys eliminate excess amounts in the urine [29]. However, high doses of magnesium from dietary supplements or medications often result in diarrhea that can be accompanied by nausea and abdominal cramping [1]. The forms of magnesium that are most commonly reported to cause diarrhea include magnesium carbonate, chloride, gluconate, and oxide [12]. The diarrhea and laxative effects of magnesium salts are due to the osmotic activity of unabsorbed salts in the intestine and colon and the stimulation of gastric motility [57].

Very large doses of magnesium-containing laxatives and antacids (typically those that provide >5,000 mg/day magnesium) have been associated with magnesium toxicity [58], including fatal hypermagnesemia in a 28-month-old boy [59] and an elderly man [60]. Signs and symptoms of magnesium toxicity, which usually develop after serum concentrations exceed 1.74 to 2.61 mmol/L, can include hypotension, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, retention of urine, ileus, depression, and lethargy before progressing to muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, extreme hypotension, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest [29]. The risk of magnesium toxicity increases with impaired renal function or kidney failure because the ability to remove excess magnesium is reduced or lost [1,29].

Source-described amount

The FNB has established ULs for supplemental magnesium for healthy infants, children, and adults (see Table 3) [1]. For many age groups, the UL appears to be lower than the RDA. This occurs because the RDAs include magnesium from all sources—food, beverages, dietary supplements, and medications. The ULs only include magnesium from dietary supplements and medications; they do not include magnesium found naturally in food and beverages.

RDA reference intakeUL reference intake

Table 3: Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Supplemental Magnesium in Milligrams (mg) [1]
Age	Male	Female	Pregnant	Lactating
0–6 months	None established	None established
7–12 months	None established	None established
1–3 years	65 mg	65 mg
4–8 years	110 mg	110 mg
9–13 years	350 mg	350 mg
14–18 years	350 mg	350 mg	350 mg	350 mg
19–30 years	350 mg	350 mg	350 mg	350 mg
31–50 years	350 mg	350 mg	350 mg	350 mg
51+ years	350 mg	350 mg

UL reference intakeSource-described amount

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Health Risks from Excessive Magnesium
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 1, 12, 29, 57, 58, 59, 60

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 5 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 2001–2013
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

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Evidence types identified

Study type could not be determined4
Regulatory source1

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Magnesium. 2013.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Dunn CJ, Goa KL. Risedronate: A review of its pharmacological properties and clinical use in resorptive bone disease. Drugs 2001;61:685-712. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Arayne MS, Sultana N, Hussain F. Interactions between ciprofloxacin and antacids--dissolution and adsorption studies. Drug Metabol Drug Interact 2005;21:117-29. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Sarafidis PA, Georgianos PI, Lasaridis AN. Diuretics in clinical practice. Part II: electrolyte and acid-base disorders complicating diuretic therapy. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2010;9:259-73. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugs (PPIs): Drug Safety Communication—Low Magnesium Levels Can Be Associated With Long-Term Use. March 2, 2011.
Regulatory source · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Magnesium may interact with certain medications, such as oral bisphosphonates, tetracyclines, and quinolone antibiotics. In addition, some medications, including diuretics and proton pump inhibitors, can affect magnesium status.

Several types of medications have the potential to interact with magnesium supplements or affect magnesium status. A few examples are provided below. People who are taking these and other medications on a regular basis should discuss their magnesium intakes with their health care providers.

Magnesium-rich supplements or medications can decrease the absorption of oral bisphosphonates, such as alendronate (Fosamax), that are used to treat osteoporosis [61]. Taking magnesium-rich supplements or medications at least 2 hours before or after oral bisphosphonates can minimize this interaction [57].

Magnesium can form insoluble complexes with tetracyclines, such as demeclocycline (Declomycin) and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and with quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin). These antibiotics should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after a magnesium-containing supplement [57,62].

Chronic treatment with loop diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex), and thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide (Aquazide H) and ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), can increase the loss of magnesium in urine and lead to magnesium depletion [63]. In contrast, potassium-sparing diuretics, such as amiloride (Midamor) and spironolactone (Aldactone), reduce magnesium excretion [63].

Prescription proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs, such as esomeprazole magnesium (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid), can cause hypomagnesemia when taken for prolonged periods (typically more than a year) [64]. In the cases that FDA reviewed, magnesium supplements often raised the low serum magnesium levels caused by PPIs. However, in 25% of the cases, supplements did not raise magnesium levels and the patients had to discontinue the PPI. FDA advises health care professionals to consider measuring patients' serum magnesium levels prior to initiating long-term PPI treatment and to check magnesium levels in these patients periodically [64].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Interactions with Medications
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 57, 61, 62, 63, 64

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 8 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trial identified
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 1990–2012
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

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Study type could not be determined6
Pharmacokinetic study1
Randomized controlled trial1

Source-described limitations

ODS describes a small study base
The absorption of magnesium from different kinds of magnesium supplements varies. Forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than less soluble forms [2,12]. Small studies have found that magnesium in the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is absorbed more completely and is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate [12-16]. One study found that very high doses of zinc from supplements (142 mg/day) can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body [17].

Classified references

Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:527-37.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed. Baltimore, Mass: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012:159-75.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Ranade VV, Somberg JC. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of magnesium after administration of magnesium salts to humans. Am J Ther 2001;8:345-57. [PubMed abstract]
Pharmacokinetic study · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Firoz M, Graber M. Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations. Magnes Res 2001;14:257-62. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Mühlbauer B, Schwenk M, Coram WM, Antonin KH, Etienne P, Bieck PR, Douglas FL. Magnesium-L-aspartate-HCl and magnesium-oxide: bioavailability in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1991;40:437-8. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Lindberg JS, Zobitz MM, Poindexter JR, Pak CY. Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide. J Am Coll Nutr 1990;9:48-55. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Walker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M. Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomized, double-blind study. Mag Res 2003;16:183-91. [PubMed abstract]
Randomized controlled trial · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Spencer H, Norris C, Williams D. Inhibitory effects of zinc on magnesium balance and magnesium absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:479-84. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

Supplements can contain a variety of different forms of magnesium, and the absorption of these forms varies. In general, forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid have higher absorption than other forms, and the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms of magnesium tend to have higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate.

Magnesium supplements are available in a variety of forms, including magnesium oxide, citrate, and chloride [2,3]. The Supplement Facts panel on a dietary supplement label declares the amount of elemental magnesium in the product, not the weight of the entire magnesium-containing compound.

The absorption of magnesium from different kinds of magnesium supplements varies. Forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than less soluble forms [2,12]. Small studies have found that magnesium in the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is absorbed more completely and is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate [12-16]. One study found that very high doses of zinc from supplements (142 mg/day) can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body [17].

Study doseSource-described amount

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Dietary supplements
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 1 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 1997–1997
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

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Government reference1

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No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Institute of Medicine (IOM). Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997.
Government reference · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

The Food and Nutrition Board at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has established Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes for magnesium. These values range from 310 to 420 mg for adults and from 30 to 410 mg for infants, children, and adolescents, depending on age, sex, and life stage.

RDA reference intakeAI reference intakeSource intake rangeSource-described amount

Intake recommendations for magnesium and other nutrients are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [1]. DRI is the general term for a set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values include the following:

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): Average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%–98%) healthy individuals; often used to plan nutritionally adequate diets for individuals
Adequate Intake (AI): Intake at this level is assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy; established when evidence is insufficient to develop an RDA
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR): Average daily level of intake estimated to meet the requirements of 50% of healthy individuals; usually used to assess the nutrient intakes of groups of people and to plan nutritionally adequate diets for them; can also be used to assess the nutrient intakes of individuals
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): Maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects

RDA reference intakeAI reference intakeUL reference intake

Table 1 lists the current RDAs for magnesium [1]. For infants from birth to 12 months, the FNB established AIs for magnesium that are equivalent to the mean intake of magnesium in healthy, breastfed infants, with added solid foods for ages 7 to 12 months.

Table 1: Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Magnesium in Milligrams (mg) [1]
Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
0–6 months	30 mg*	30 mg*
7–12 months	75 mg*	75 mg*
1–3 years	80 mg	80 mg
4–8 years	130 mg	130 mg
9–13 years	240 mg	240 mg
14–18 years	410 mg	360 mg	400 mg	360 mg
19–30 years	400 mg	310 mg	350 mg	310 mg
31–50 years	420 mg	320 mg	360 mg	320 mg
51+ years	420 mg	320 mg

RDA reference intakeSource-described amount

*Adequate Intake (AI)

AI reference intake

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Recommended Intakes
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 1

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 9 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 1994–2012
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

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Evidence types identified

Government reference1
Study type could not be determined8

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Institute of Medicine (IOM). Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997.
Government reference · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:527-37.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Tums®. 2012.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Chaudhary DP, Sharma R, Bansal DD. Implications of magnesium deficiency in type 2 diabetes: a review. Biol Trace Elem Res 2010;134:119–29. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Tosiello L. Hypomagnesemia and diabetes mellitus. A review of clinical implications. Arch Intern Med 1996;156:1143-8. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Rivlin RS. Magnesium deficiency and alcohol intake: mechanisms, clinical significance and possible relation to cancer development (a review). J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:416–23. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Ford ES, Mokdad AH. Dietary magnesium intake in a national sample of U.S. adults. J Nutr 2003;133:2879-82. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Musso CG Magnesium metabolism in health and disease. Int Urol Nephrol 2009;41:357-62. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Barbagallo M, Belvedere M, Dominguez LJ. Magnesium homeostasis and aging. Magnes Res 2009;22:235-46. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have magnesium inadequacy. These include people with gastrointestinal diseases, type 2 diabetes, or alcohol dependence and older adults.

Magnesium inadequacy can occur when intakes fall below the RDA but are above the amount required to prevent overt deficiency. The following groups are more likely than others to be at risk of magnesium inadequacy because they typically consume insufficient amounts or they have medical conditions (or take medications) that reduce magnesium absorption from the gut or increase losses from the body.

RDA reference intake

The chronic diarrhea and fat malabsorption that occurs in people with Crohn's disease, gluten-sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease), and regional enteritis can lead to magnesium depletion over time [2]. Resection or bypass of the small intestine, especially the ileum, typically leads to malabsorption and magnesium loss [2].

Magnesium deficits and increased urinary magnesium excretion can occur in people with insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes [25,26]. The magnesium loss appears to be secondary to higher concentrations of glucose in the kidney that increase urine output [2].

Magnesium deficiency is common in people with chronic alcoholism [2]. In these individuals, poor dietary intake and nutritional status; gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, and steatorrhea (fatty stools) resulting from pancreatitis; renal dysfunction with excess excretion of magnesium into the urine; phosphate depletion; vitamin D deficiency; acute alcoholic ketoacidosis; and hyperaldosteronism secondary to liver disease can all contribute to decreased magnesium status [2,27].

Older adults have lower dietary intakes of magnesium than younger adults [21,28]. In addition, magnesium absorption from the gut decreases and renal magnesium excretion increases with age [29]. Older adults are also more likely to have chronic diseases or take medications that alter magnesium status, which can increase their risk of magnesium depletion [1,30].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Groups at Risk of Magnesium Inadequacy
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 2, 25, 26, 27, 1, 21, 28, 29, 30

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Pregnancy and lactation considerations

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Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 4 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic review or meta-analysis identified
Evidence recency: 2005–2012
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

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Evidence types identified

Study type could not be determined3
Systematic review1

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No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed. Baltimore, Mass: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012:159-75.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Volpe SL. Magnesium. In: Erdman JW, Macdonald IA, Zeisel SH, eds. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 10th ed. Ames, Iowa; John Wiley & Sons, 2012:459-74.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Gibson, RS. Principles of Nutritional Assessment, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Witkowski M, Hubert J, Mazur A. Methods of assessment of magnesium status in humans: a systematic review. Magnesium Res 2011;24:163-80. [PubMed abstract]
Systematic review · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed

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Because most of the magnesium in the body is found inside cells or in bone, it is difficult to assess magnesium status. Measuring serum magnesium concentration is the most commonly used method for assessment, but serum levels do not accurately reflect total body magnesium levels or concentrations in specific tissues. Comprehensively evaluating magnesium status may require the use of both laboratory tests and a clinical assessment.

Assessing magnesium status is difficult because most magnesium is inside cells or in bone [3]. The most commonly used and readily available method for assessing magnesium status is measuring serum magnesium concentration, even though serum levels have little correlation with total body magnesium levels or concentrations in specific tissues [6]. Other methods for assessing magnesium status include measuring magnesium concentrations in erythrocytes, saliva, and urine; measuring ionized magnesium concentrations in blood, plasma, or serum; and conducting a magnesium-loading (or tolerance) test. No single method is considered satisfactory [7]. Some experts [4] but not others [3] consider the tolerance test (in which urinary magnesium is measured after parenteral infusion of a dose of magnesium) to be the best method to assess magnesium status in adults. To comprehensively evaluate magnesium status, both laboratory tests and a clinical assessment might be required [6].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Government health-professional reference material imported without MEDucated medical review.

Source section: Assessing magnesium status
ODS revision: January 6, 2026
Retrieved: 2026-08-10T22:07:04.128Z
Source fingerprint: 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
Cited reference numbers: 3, 4, 6, 7

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Fixture ID: fixture:supplement:magnesium:ods-evidence-preview
Fixture revision: source-revision:nih-ods:magnesium-health-professional:2026-08-10.0f8470209257
Content classification: source backed demonstration
Medical review: not medically reviewed
Evidence classification: unknown other
External source metadata: Not available for this internal identity fixture

Imported government source

Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Fixture ID: fixture:supplement:magnesium:ods-evidence-preview
Fixture revision: source-revision:nih-ods:magnesium-health-professional:2026-08-10.0f8470209257
Content classification: source backed demonstration
Medical review: not medically reviewed
Evidence classification: government reference
External source metadata: Available in source inspection