Suboptimal Magnesium Status in the United States
Rosanoff A et al. • Nutr Rev
Key Finding
Up to 50% of Americans don't meet magnesium RDA
Original title: “Suboptimal magnesium status in the United States: are the health consequences underestimated?”
Plain English Summary
Review examining the prevalence of magnesium deficiency in the US, finding up to 50% of Americans don't meet RDA intake. Health consequences may be significantly underestimated.
In-Depth Analysis
Background
Dr. Andrea Rosanoff and colleagues published this review in Nutrition Reviews (PMID: 22364157), examining the prevalence and health consequences of suboptimal magnesium status in the United States.
Study Design
Design: Narrative review Data sources: NHANES dietary surveys, clinical studies, epidemiological data Focus: Gap between magnesium intake and requirements in US population
Key Findings
Magnesium intake vs. requirements:
| Population | % Meeting RDA |
|---|---|
| Overall US | ~50% |
| Adolescents | ~30% |
| Elderly | ~40% |
Dietary trends contributing to deficiency:
- •Processed food consumption (processing removes Mg)
- •Reduced vegetable intake
- •Soft drink consumption (phosphoric acid binds Mg)
- •Soil depletion reducing food magnesium content
Health consequences of suboptimal magnesium:
| Condition | Association |
|---|---|
| Type 2 diabetes | Increased risk |
| Metabolic syndrome | Strong association |
| Hypertension | Contributing factor |
| Cardiovascular disease | Risk factor |
| Osteoporosis | Cofactor for vitamin D |
Mechanistic Insights
Magnesium is required for:
- •300+ enzyme systems
- •ATP production and utilization
- •Insulin receptor function
- •Glucose transport
- •Vitamin D activation
Clinical Implications
Population-wide magnesium insufficiency may contribute to chronic disease burden. Supplementation may benefit those with inadequate dietary intake. Serum magnesium is insensitive (RBC magnesium better).
Metabolic Health Perspective
Magnesium optimization is often overlooked in metabolic health. Target intake: 400-600 mg/day from food plus supplementation if needed. Serum Mg >2.0 mg/dL, ideally 2.0-2.4 mg/dL.
Paradigm Relevance
How this study applies to different clinical perspectives:
Standard Medical
RelevantConventional clinical guidelines used by most doctors
Research Consensus
RelevantCurrent scientific understanding, often ahead of guidelines
Metabolic Optimization
RelevantProactive targets for optimal health, not just disease absence
Study Details
- Type
- Review Article
Related Biomarkers
Calculate & Evaluate on Metabolicum
Original Source
Related Studies
Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis
DiNicolantonio et al. • Open Heart • 2018
10-30% of populations have subclinical deficiency (<0.80 mmol/L); 48-50% US consumes below RDA; serum reflects <1% of body stores; linked to hypertension, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, heart failure
Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status
Workinger et al. • Nutrients • 2018
Blood magnesium represents only 0.8% of total body stores; 45% of Americans are magnesium deficient; 60% of adults do not reach recommended intake levels
Perspective: The Case for an Evidence-Based Reference Interval for Serum Magnesium: The Time Has Come
Costello et al. • Advances in Nutrition • 2016
Proposed optimal threshold: ≥0.85 mmol/L (vs current 0.75 mmol/L); CVD risk increases at <0.75-0.85 mmol/L; T2D risk elevated at <0.74 mmol/L