Magnesium: Australian food regulations and dietary guidelines, and latest research and trends

Magnesium is needed in the body for the formation of protein, muscle contraction, immune system health and nerve transmission. Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular cation after potassium and the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, and it is involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions. Despite its importance, one third of adult Australians and over half of Australian seniors do not have an adequate intake of magnesium in their diet. This article examines the importance of magnesium in foods and the regulatory framework in Australia for adding magnesium into foods.