Question:
What is Magnesium?
Answer:

Magnesium is an essential mineral for many fundamental processes in the body. It normally exists in the body as a charged particle (or ion) and is primarily stored in bones. Magnesium plays an integral role in hundreds of enzymatic functions and is important for nerve, muscle, and bone health.

Magnesium helps with the absorption of calcium and depends on vitamin D for its own absorption. Food dietary sources of magnesium include spinach, legumes, nuts, and grains.

Recommended Dietary Allowances for magnesium
Age
(years)
Males
(mg/day)
Females
(mg/day)
Pregnancy
(mg/day)
Lactation
(mg/day)
1–3 80 80 N/A N/A
4–8 130 130 N/A N/A
9–13 240 240 N/A N/A
14–18 410 360 400 360
19–30 400 310 350 310
31+ 420 320 360 320

 

Excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, but no adverse effect has been seen for long-term consumption of amounts less than or equal to 700 mg/d.