From the Guidelines
Magnesium Supplementation and Serum Levels
Daily magnesium supplementation is necessary for individuals with inadequate dietary intake or increased magnesium requirements, as serum magnesium levels do not accurately reflect total body magnesium stores, with less than 1% of magnesium stores in the blood 1.
Recommended Formulation and Dosage
A suitable formulation is magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate, taken at a dose of 200-400 mg per day, although the optimal dosage may vary depending on individual needs and medical conditions 1.
- Key considerations for magnesium supplementation include:
- Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing as needed and under medical supervision
- Consulting with a healthcare provider to determine individual magnesium needs and monitor levels regularly
- Exercising caution when taking magnesium supplements, especially for individuals with kidney problems or taking certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors or diuretics 1
Importance of Medical Supervision
It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine individual magnesium needs and monitor levels regularly, as magnesium lab results may not accurately reflect magnesium stores, and excessive magnesium intake can lead to adverse effects, such as diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbances 1.
Special Considerations
Individuals with significant renal impairment should avoid magnesium supplements, as hypermagnesemia is more likely to occur in these individuals, and magnesium supplements should be used with caution in patients with a creatinine clearance of <20 mg/dL 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Active ingredient (in each 5 mL) Magnesium hydroxide 400 mg Each 30 mL contains: Magnesium Hydroxide 2400 mg The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Serum Magnesium Levels and Total Body Magnesium Stores
- Serum magnesium levels do not always reflect total body magnesium status 2
- Normal blood magnesium levels can mask widespread magnesium deficiency 2
- Other methods, such as the magnesium loading test, may provide a more accurate reflection of total body magnesium status 2
Daily Magnesium Supplementation
- Inadequate magnesium balance is associated with various disorders, such as skeletal deformities, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome 2, 3
- Low magnesium status increases the risk for various diseases, including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arrhythmias, and muscular and neurological problems 3
- Daily magnesium supplementation may be necessary to maintain adequate magnesium status, especially for individuals with low dietary intake or increased risk of deficiency 4, 5
Recommended Formulation and Dosage
- The Estimated Average Requirement and Recommended Dietary Allowance for magnesium are 175 and 250 mg/d, respectively, for 70 kg healthy individuals 4
- Urinary excretion data suggest that magnesium intakes <250 mg/day may indicate a need for supplementation 4
- A combination of dietary intake <250 mg/day, urinary excretion <80 mg/day, and serum magnesium concentration <0.85 mmol/L may indicate a need for magnesium supplementation 4
- Optimizing magnesium status through diet and supplementation appears to be a safe and useful therapy for several medical conditions 5