Gender | Age | Intake |
---|---|---|
1-3 years | Male | 80 mg/day |
1-3 years | Female | 80 mg/day |
3-7 years | Male | 130 mg/day |
3-7 years | Female | 130 mg/day |
7-11 years | Male | 220 mg/day |
7-11 years | Female | 220 mg/day |
11-18 years | Male | 410 mg/day |
11-18 years | Female | 360 mg/day |
18 – 49 years | Male | 400 mg/day |
18 – 49 years | Female | 310 mg/day |
49 -59 years | Male | 400 mg/day |
49 -59 years | Female | 310 mg/day |
59 years and over | Male | 400 mg/day |
59 years and over | Female | 310 mg/day |
Pregnant women | Female | 370 mg/day |
Breastfeeding women | Female | 350 mg/day |
This mineral is essential for the body because it maintains proper function of many organs and systems. In general, the human body contains about twenty five grams of magnesium. It is involved in over than three hundred chemical reactions.
Magnesium is necessary for normal growth of bones, production of protein, functions of muscles, nerves, immune system, and hearth. It neutralizes acid in the stomach and moves excretions along the intestine.
It is used as an antacid and laxative, for normalizing cholesterol levels, treating high blood pressure, chest pain, and other problems with blood vessels and heart. Magnesium is also efficient in curing ADHD, CFS, osteoporosis, Lyme disease, asthma, and many other diseases.
Professional sportsmen sometimes consume magnesium supplements in order to increase performance and endurance.
Deficiency in this mineral is common among African peoples and elderly persons. It also occurs in alcoholics and those who lack magnesium because of some medications, surgery, burns, or some other problems with health.
Early symptoms include apathy, fatigue, poor memory, anorexia, irritability, muscle twitching, confusion, and insomnia. On the moderate levels of deficiency there can be rapid heartbeat and cardiovascular changed. In the case of a severe lack of magnesia people experience delirium, tingling, numbness, hallucinations, and muscle contractions.
One can have an increased magnesium intake when he takes too many special supplements. In this case, diarrhea is the main side effects, because the body tries to remove the excess.
Most high-fiber foods are rich in magnesium. Thus, eat green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. They are healthy and easily digested. Other sources of the mineral include meats, coffee, chocolate, and dairy products.