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Magnesium

Divalent cation essential as cofactor or activator for >300 enzymes including those involving ATP (which functions as Mg-ATP), important in bone (60% of body Mg), muscle contraction, and neuromuscular signaling.

Also: Mg

Adult RDA is 400-420 mg men, 310-320 mg women; usual intake in the US is below the EAR for the majority. Hypomagnesemia is common in alcoholism, malabsorption, diuretic use, PPIs, and refeeding. Symptoms include tremor, tetany, seizures, and arrhythmias. Higher dietary magnesium is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Serum magnesium is a poor marker of body status (most is intracellular or bone-bound).

How each textbook covers it

  • duyff-complete-food-and-nutrition-guide-5e

  • Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 9: Magnesium

    Adult RDA is 400-420 mg men, 310-320 mg women; usual intake in the US is below the EAR for the majority. Hypomagnesemia is common in alcoholism, malabsorption, diuretic use, PPIs, and refeeding. Symptoms include tremor, tetany, seizures, and arrhythmias. Higher dietary magnesium is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Serum magnesium is a poor marker of body status (most is intracellular or bone-bound).

Related terms

Calcium, Phosphate, Refeeding syndrome