Magnesium is using as a dietary supplement for individuals who are deficient in magnesium. Although a balanced diet usually supplies all the magnesium a person needs, magnesium supplements may be needed by diseaseds who have lost magnesium because of illness or treat with certain medication.
Lack of magnesium may lead to irritability, muscle weakness and irregular heartbeat.
Injectable magnesium is given only by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Some oral magnesium preparations are available only with a prescription. Others are available without a prescription.
Magnesium supplements are available in the following dosage forms:
The best dietary sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, nuts, peas, beans and cereal grains in which the germ or outer layers have not been removed. Hard water has been found to contain more magnesium than soft water. A diet high in fat may cause less magnesium to be absorbed. Cooking may decrease the magnesium content of food.
The daily amount of magnesium needed is defined in few various ways.
Normal daily recommended intakes in milligrams - mg for magnesium are generally defined as follows:
|
Infants and children Birth to 3 years of age |
4 to 6 years of age |
7 to 10 years of age |
Adolescent and adult males |
Adolescent and adult females |
Pregnant females |
Breast-feeding females | 5
In Canada
For quick reference, the following magnesium supplements are numbered to match the corresponding brand names. | This information applies to the following:
1.
Magnesium Chloride - mag-NEE-zhumKLOR-ide†
2.
MagnesiumCitrate # - mag-NEE-zhum SIH-trayt
3.
MagnesiumGluceptate - mag-NEE-zhum gloo-SEP-tate*
4.
Magnesium Gluconate - mag-NEE-zhum GLOO-ko-nate
5.
Magnesium Hydroxide # †† - mag-NEE-zhumhye-DROX-ide
6.
Magnesium Lactate - mag-NEE-zhum LAK-tate†
7.
Magnesium Oxide # - mag-NEE-zhum OX-ide
8.
Magnesium Pidolate - mag-NEE-zhum PID-o-late*
9.
Magnesium Sulfate # ** - mag-NEE-zhum SUL-fate
* Not commercially available in the USA
† Not commercially available in Canada
Generic name product may be available
in the USA
Generic name product may be available
in Canada
# See Laxatives - Oral for laxative use of magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate. ** See |