In 1993, the European Scientific Committee for Food determined an acceptable magnesium intake range for adults of 150–500 milligram (mg) per day (52).
Based on the results of balance studies the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board established a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium in 1997 (4):
| Life Stage | Age | Males: (mg/day) | Females: (mg/day) |
| Infants | 0–6 months | 30 (AI) | 30 (AI) |
| Infants | 7–12 months | 75 (AI) | 75 (AI) |
| Children | 1–3 years | 80 | 80 |
| Children | 4–8 years | 130 | 130 |
| Children | 9–13 years | 240 | 240 |
| Adolescents | 14–18 years | 410 | 360 |
| Adults | 19 - 50 years | 400 | 310 |
| Adults | 51 years and older | 420 | 320 |
| Pregnancy | 18 years and younger | - | 400 |
| Pregnancy | 19-30 years | - | 350 |
| Pregnancy | 31 years and older | - | 360 |
| Breast-feeding | 18 years and younger | - | 360 |
| Breast-feeding | 19-30 years | - | 310 |
| Breast-feeding | 31 years and older | - | 320 |
In 2010 it has been reported that around 60% of adults in the US do not consume the estimated average requirement for magnesium (60).
For a detailed overview of recommended daily intakes (PRIs/RDAs) of vitamins and minerals for adults derived from different countries and organizations see PDF.
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010 and reviewed and revised by Angelika Friedel on 03.05.2017.
