Magnesium Intake and its Relevance with Antioxidant Capacity in Korean Adults

Recently, a study reported that magnesium played a part in the attack of chronic diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension. However, there are not even enough studies to evaluate magnesium intakes. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the magnesium intakes of 500 healthy adults. In addition, by selecting 50 targets, we examined the correlation between magnesium intake and antioxidant capacity biomarkers. In the age group of 19–29, the daily magnesium intake was 276.3 mg for males and 232.1 mg for females. In the age group of 30–49, it was 305.1 mg and 246.5 mg, respectively. In the age group of 50–64, the magnesium intake was 294.4 mg for males and 245.7 mg for females. As for the age group of 19–29, the magnesium intake per 4,187 kJ of energy intake was 129.8 mg, which was significantly lower than the 164.6 mg by the age group of 30–49 and 172.4 mg by the age group of 50–64. The ratio of magnesium intake to the recommended intake was 82.1% for those in the age group of 19–29, 87.7% for those in 30–49, and 86.1% for those in 50–64. The rate of the subjects with magnesium intakes lower than the estimated average requirement was 55.3% in the age group of 19–29, 52.4% in 30–49, and 54.2% in 50–64. The magnesium intake from food groups were in the descending order of vegetables, cereals, and fish for the subjects in the age group of 19–29, and vegetables, cereals, and beverages for the subjects in the age groups of 30–49 and 50–64. The source food items of magnesium intake were in the descending order of Kimchi, tofu, rice, and coffee in the age group of 19–29, coffee, Kimchi, tofu, and rice in 30–49, and coffee, Kimchi, rice, and tofu in 50–64. From the 50 targets aged 19–29, significant correlation was not indicated among magnesium intake, serum magnesium, and antioxidant capacity biomarkers. In conclusion, the magnesium intake status of some Korean adults is unsatisfactory. And it is suggested that this low intake of magnesium has no correlation with antioxidant capacity.