Magnesium – and Defficiency – NIH

Introduction

Assessing magnesium status

Recommended Intakes

Table 1 lists the current RDAs for magnesium [1]. For infants from birth to 12 months, the FNB established AIs for magnesium that are equivalent to the mean intake of magnesium in healthy, breastfed infants, with added solid foods for ages 7 to 12 months.

AgeMaleFemalePregnancyLactation
0–6 months30 mg*30 mg*
7–12 months75 mg*75 mg*
1–3 years80 mg80 mg
4–8 years130 mg130 mg
9–13 years240 mg240 mg
14–18 years410 mg360 mg400 mg360 mg
19–30 years400 mg310 mg350 mg310 mg
31–50 years420 mg320 mg360 mg320 mg
51+ years420 mg320 mg

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*Adequate Intake (AI)

Sources of Magnesium

Food

FoodMilligrams
(mg) per
serving
Percent
DV*
Pumpkin seeds, roasted, 1 ounce15637
Chia seeds, 1 ounce11126
Almonds, dry roasted, 1 ounce8019
Spinach, boiled, ½ cup7819
Cashews, dry roasted, 1 ounce7418
Peanuts, oil roasted, ¼ cup6315
Cereal, shredded wheat, 2 large biscuits6115
Soymilk, plain or vanilla, 1 cup6115
Black beans, cooked, ½ cup6014
Edamame, shelled, cooked, ½ cup5012
Peanut butter, smooth, 2 tablespoons4912
Potato, baked with skin, 3.5 ounces4310
Rice, brown, cooked, ½ cup4210
Yogurt, plain, low fat, 8 ounces4210
Breakfast cereals, fortified with 10% of the DV for magnesium, 1 serving4210
Oatmeal, instant, 1 packet369
Kidney beans, canned, ½ cup358
Banana, 1 medium328
Milk, 1 cup276
Salmon, Atlantic, farmed, cooked, 3 ounces266
Halibut, cooked, 3 ounces246
Raisins, ½ cup235
Bread, whole wheat, 1 slice235
Avocado, cubed, ½ cup225
Chicken breast, roasted, 3 ounces225
Beef, ground, 90% lean, pan broiled, 3 ounces205
Broccoli, chopped and cooked, ½ cup123
Rice, white, cooked, ½ cup102
Apple, 1 medium92
Carrot, raw, 1 medium72

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Dietary supplements

Medicines

Magnesium is found in some remedies for heartburn and acid indigestion, and it is a key ingredient in certain laxatives.

Magnesium Intakes and Status

Magnesium Deficiency

Groups at Risk of Magnesium Inadequacy

References

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Updated: January 6, 2026 History of changes to this fact sheet


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