According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the 2011 - 2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey found that one in three Australians over the age of two did not meet their Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for daily intake of Magnesium, with 37% of males and 34% of females not meeting the requirement from their diet. The results of the national survey revealed that 72% of females and 61% of males aged 14 to 18 did not meet the EAR.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in a number of biochemical functions in the body including neuromuscular function, heart health, maintaining bone mineralisation, support muscle health and function and general health and wellbeing. Magnesium is widely distributed in both animal and plant products including unrefined cereals, green vegetables, beans and nuts.
The current Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for Australian adults is 350mg/day for men and 265mg/day for women with the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) faring a little higher at 420mg/day and 320mg/day respectively for men and women.
Given that a significant portion of the Australian population might receive inadequate intake from their diet, many people may benefit from significant changes to their diet or adding a high quality magnesium supplement. Studies have found that magnesium forms such as magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate are more completely absorbed with superior bioavailability compared to magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate.
Sources:
1. Australian Health Survey: Usual Nutrient Intakes, 2011-12 financial year [Internet]. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2021 [cited 17 May 2021]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/australian-health-survey-usual-...
2. Office of Dietary Supplements - Magnesium [Internet]. Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021 [cited 17 May 2021]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/