Availability of magnesium and some trace elements in Indian diets has been studied in human adults. Absorption of trace elements from the diets as a percentage of intake was: chromium 60, copper 18, magnesium 34, manganese 14 and zinc 16. Daily dietary intakes of 51.5 µg of chromium, 1.73 mg copper and 4.1 mg of manganese were found to be necessary to keep the subjects in balance in respect to these elements.