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Global magnesium supply in the food chain

Kumssa, Diriba B.; Joy, Edward J.M.; Ander, E. Louise; Watts, Michael J.; Young, Scott D.; Rosanoff, Andrea; White, Philip J.; Walker, Sue; Broadley, Martin R.

Authors

Edward J.M. Joy

LOUISE ANDER Louise.Ander1@nottingham.ac.uk
Principal Research Fellow

Michael J. Watts

Scott D. Young

Andrea Rosanoff

Philip J. White

Sue Walker



Abstract

© CSIRO 2015. Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral micronutrient in humans. Risks of dietary Mg deficiency are affected by the quantity of Mg ingested and its bioavailability, which is influenced by the consumption of other nutrients and 'anti-nutrients'. Here, we assess global dietary Mg supplies and risks of dietary deficiency, including the influence of other nutrients. Food supply and food composition data were used to derive the amount of Mg available per capita at national levels. Supplies of Mg were compared with estimated national per capita average requirement 'cut points'. In 2011, global weighted mean Mg supply was 613±69mg person-1 day-1 compared with a weighted estimated average requirement for Mg of 173mg person-1 day-1. This indicates a low risk of dietary Mg deficiency of 0.26% based on supply. This contrasts with published data from national individual-level dietary surveys, which indicate greater Mg deficiency risks. However, individuals in high-income countries are likely to under-report food consumption, which could lead to overestimation of deficiency risks. Furthermore, estimates of deficiency risk based on supply do not account for potential inhibitors of Mg absorption, including calcium, phytic acid and oxalate, and do not consider household food wastage.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 10, 2015
Publication Date Oct 5, 2015
Deposit Date Mar 6, 2020
Journal Crop and Pasture Science
Print ISSN 1836-0947
Electronic ISSN 1836-5795
Publisher CSIRO Publishing
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 66
Issue 12
Pages 1278-1289
DOI https://doi.org/10.1071/CP15096
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3099737
Publisher URL https://www.publish.csiro.au/cp/CP15096