Retailers should emphasize to consumers that this new limit shouldn't be exceeded.

It'd be easier to say that magnesium is having a moment if that moment wasn't stretched across the past 10 years. Still, having recently written NBJ's Condition Specific Report (available in July), and seeing how the mineral of the moment is the fastest growing ingredient for condition after condition, it's possible we need to redefine "moment."

It's not only, by far, the fastest growing mineral, it's also the fastest growing ingredient in blood sugar management, healthy sleep, heart health and menopause, among others. We have called magnesium "the Marcia Brady of minerals." That's a lot of magnesium but new evidence from the Council for Responsible Nutrition supports, well, a lot of magnesium. In April, CRN announced it had updated safety research to reflect an upper level at 500 mg a day for healthy adults, up from 400 mg. The revised UL finding is among the updates to CRN's Vitamin and Mineral Safety reference book.

In a press release, CRN Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Andrea Wong cited "a growing body of evidence" in making the change and mentioned benefits for bone, muscles and nerve health.

Not included in the press release is advice to brands to stick to that UL. It's not difficult to find brands that recommend higher dosages and magnesium's inclusion in hydration drinks could lead to consumers unintentionally exceeding CRN's recommendation.

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