DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a phosphate group, a sugar group and a nitrogen base. The four types of nitrogen bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). The order of these bases is what determines DNA's instructions, or genetic code.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium for young adults is around 400 mg/day for men and 310 mg/day for women. For adults over 30, the RDA is 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women. However, despite how easy it is to find magnesium, studies have shown that between 68% and 75% of American adults are magnesium deficient.
According to the Institute of Medicine, men require 400 to 420 mg of magnesium daily while women require 310 to 320 mg. Pregnant or lactating women require slightly greater amounts, approximately 310 to 400 mg, per day. Children require 80 to 240 mg daily, while adolescents require 360 to 410 mg of magnesium. Individuals using certain medications or who have chronic absorption problems might require higher amounts of magnesium daily.