Magnesium: Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH ODS)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements · Published: August 23, 2026 · Accessed: August 23, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems regulating diverse biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation.
• Less than 1% of total body magnesium is in blood serum, and serum levels do not accurately reflect total body magnesium or concentrations in specific tissues; assessing magnesium status is difficult.
• Recommended Dietary Allowances for magnesium range from 310 to 420 mg per day for adults depending on age and sex.
• Most magnesium in the American diet comes from plant foods: legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables; dietary sources are the primary way to meet needs.
• Magnesium deficiency is uncommon in healthy people; groups at risk of inadequacy include people with gastrointestinal diseases, type 2 diabetes, alcohol dependence, and older adults.