Serum magnesium levels in the United States, 1971-1974.

Abstract

Serum magnesium has been determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in a national sample of the United States population between 1971 and 1974. Mean values and percentile distributions are presented for ages 1-74 in males and females in two racial groups. Mean values decreased in both sexes from age 1 to ages 12-24. In females, they increased again after age 25, while males showed little change after age 17. Small sex differences were observed between ages 18 and 45, with men having higher levels than women. Both white males and females had higher serum levels than black males and females of the same age. These differences were statistically significant in many age groups, particularly in young and middle-aged adults. These data are unique inasmuch as they represent the only broad population measurements of serum magnesium in the United States. No comparable data exist as far as is known. The values shown can be considered as normative for the U.S. population. A review of the literature with comparable data was done and results are included; a discussion of the findings from these studies is presented.

Magnesium in Man: Implications for Health and Disease

“…Mg 2ϩ serum concentrations range between 0.7 and 1.1 mM in healthy people (323). To maintain constant plasma Mg 2ϩ levels, the United States Food and Nutrition Board recommends a daily Mg 2ϩ intake of 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women (1).…”

“…As a result, a significant number of people are Mg 2ϩ deficient, which may comprise up to 60% of critically ill patients (84,145). Mg 2ϩ deficiency is commonly determined by measuring total serum Mg 2ϩ concentrations, which ranges between 0.7 and 1.05 mM in a healthy person (323). However, serum Mg 2ϩ values reflect only 1% of the body Mg 2ϩ content, since most of the body's Mg 2ϩ is stored in bone, muscle, and soft tissues.…”

Differences in Serum Ionized and Total Magnesium Values During Chronic Renal Failure Between Nondiabetic and Diabetic Patients

“…The reported value of i-Mg was normalized to pH 7.4. Reference intervals for tand i-Mg were taken from previous studies (7,8).…”

Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for magnesium

“…Based on data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (5 th and 95 th percentiles), Lowenstein and Stanton (1986) have suggested that values below 0.75 mmol/L may indicate magnesium deficiency and values above 0.96 mmol/L may indicate excessive intakes. However, it has also been suggested that a serum magnesium concentration within this range cannot totally rule out the possibility of magnesium deficiency (Arnaud, 2008).…”