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Minerals in Detail
Chemical Details | Description | Industrial Applications |
In Nature | Health Impacts | Daily Intake
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium - chemical details
| Symbol | Mg |
| Atomic number | 12 |
| Atomic mass | 24.305 g.mol-1 |
| Electronegativity | 1.2 (according to Pauling) |
| Density | 1.74 g.cm-3 at 20 °C |
| Melting point | 650 °C |
| Boiling point | 1107 °C |
| Vanderwaals radius | 0.16 nm |
| Ionic radius | 0.065 nm |
| Isotopes | 5 |
| Electronic configuration | [Ne] 3s2 |
| Energy of first ionisation | 737.5 kJ.mol-1 |
| Energy of second ionisation | 1450 kJ.mol-1 |
| Standard potential | - 2.34 V |
| Discovered | 1808 - Sir Humphrey Davy |
Chemical Details | Description | Industrial Applications |
In Nature | Health Impacts | Daily Intake
Magnesium - Description
Magnesium is silvery white and very light. It has been known for a long time as the lightest structural metal, due to it’s low weight and to it’s capability
of forming mechanically resistant alloys.
Magnesium is very chemically active, it takes the place of hydrogen in boiling water and a great number of metals can be produced by thermic reduction of
its salts and oxidized forms with magnesium. It joins together with most non-metals and almost every acid. Magnesium reacts only slightly or not at all with
most of the alkalis and many organic substances. Used as a catalyst, magnesium promotes organic reactions of condensation, reduction, addition and
dehalogenisation.
Chemical Details | Description | Industrial Applications |
In Nature | Health Impacts | Daily Intake
Magnesium - Industrial applications
Magnesium is used in furnace lining, the aircraft industry, agriculture, the printing industry, and pyrotechnics. For details on industrial applications and
impact on the environment see www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/Mg-en.htm
Chemical Details | Description | Industrial Applications |
In Nature | Health Impacts | Daily Intake
Magnesium - In natural form
Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element and constitutes about 2% of the Earth's crust by weight, and it is the third most plentiful element dissolved
in seawater. It’s very abundant in nature, and it’s found in important quantities in many rocky minerals, like dolomite, magnetite, olivine and serpentine.
It’s also found in seawater, underground brines and salty layers. It’s the third most abundant structural metal in the earth’s crust, only exceeded by
aluminum and iron.
The United States has traditionally been the major world supplier of this metal, supplying 45% of world production even as recently as 1995. Dolomite and
magnesite are mined to the extent of 10 million tonnes per year, in countries such as China, Turkey, North Korea, Slovakia, Austria, Russia and Greece.
Chemical Details | Description | Industrial Applications |
In Nature | Health Impacts | Daily Intake
Magnesium - Impact on health
Magnesium is an essential mineral that accounts for about 0.05% of the body’s total weight. Magnesium is involved in many essential metabolic processes.
Most is found inside the cell, where it activates enzymes necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids. By countering the stimulative
effect of calcium, magnesium plays an important role in neuromuscular contractions. It also helps regulate the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Magnesium
helps promote absorption and metabolism of other minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. It also helps utilize the B Complex and
Vitamins C and E in the body. It aids during bone growth and is necessary for proper functioning of the muscles including those of the heart.
Magnesium is used by the body's immune system to prevent or counteract many conditions, including:
Arteriosclerosis, Arthritis, Atherosclerois, Celiac Disease, Cholesterol (High LDL), Colitis, Convulsions, Diabetes, Cramps (leg), Diarrhea, Depression,
Epilepsy, Fractures, Hypertension, Ischemic heart disease, Mental illness, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle weakness, Muscular excitability, Nervousness, Neuritis,
Neuromuscular Disorders, Noise Sensitivity, Osteoporosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Psoriasis, Rickets, Tantrums, Tremors (Hand), Thrombosis (Coronary),
Possible symptoms of magnesium deficiency may include: Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, Vitamin K deficiency, depressed immunity, depression, diabetes,
erectile dysfunction, increased levels of stress, insomnia, fasciculation, migraine, cancer, ADHD, asthma, and allergies.
In an average diet humans need at least 200 mg of Magnesium per day. The body deals very effectively with this element, taking it from food when it can, and
recycling what it already has in the system when it cannot.
There is no evidence that magnesium produces systemic poisoning although persistent over-indulgence in taking magnesium supplements and medicines can lead
to muscle weakness, lethargy and confusion.
Chemical Details | Description | Industrial Applications |
In Nature | Health Impacts | Daily Intake
Magnesium - Recommended daily & maximum intake
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Risk free |
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intake? |
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Food sources? |
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Result of overdose? |
| Age Group |
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RDA |
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Limit |
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Infants
0-6 mo
7-12 mo
Children
1-3 y
4-8 y
Males
9-13 y
14-18 y
19-30 y
31-50 y
50-70 y
> 70 y
Females
9-13 y
14-18 y
19-30 y
31-50 y
50-70 y
> 70 y
Pregnancy
< 19 y
19-30 y
31+ y
Lactation
< 19 y
19-30 y
31+ y |
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(mg/d)
30.0
75.0
80.0
130.0
240.0
410.0
400.0
420.0
420.0
420.0
240.0
360.0
310.0
320.0
320.0
320.0
400.0
350.0
360.0
360.0
310.0
320.0 |
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(mg/d)
ND
ND
65.0
110.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0
350.0 |
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Leafy vegetables
Meat
Milk
Nuts
Startches
Unpolished grains |
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NONE from naturally occurring magnesium in foods
Supplemental excess may lead to osmotic diarrhoea |
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Explanations:
NOTE: The RDA column for Magnesium gives recommendations for dietary daily intake. In this case this refers to magnesium derived from food,
not from supplements. The Limit column gives maximums for supplemental Magnesium. That is why the two columns appear to contradict each other.
ND = Not determinable. There is either insufficient data on adverse effects and/or concern with the body's ability to handle excess amounts. In most
instances it is wise not to supplement for this particular element, but to rely on diet to provide sufficient quantities.
RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowance. May be used as a goal for daily intake. RDAs are set at a level that should meet the needs of 97-98% of all individuals.1, 2, 3, 4
Limit = The maximum level of daily nutrient intake from all sources that is highly likely to pose no risk of adverse effects.1, 2, 3, 4
References:
- Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes (1997). Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Food and Nutrition Board: Institute of Medicine.
- Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes (1998). Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6,
Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Food and Nutrition Board: Institute of Medicine.
- Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Food and Nutrition Board: Institute of Medicine.
- Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes (2001). Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Food and Nutrition Board: Institute of Medicine.
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