

Magnesium is a mineral that performs a crucial position in over 300 biochemical reactions within the physique (5). However totally different sorts of magnesium present totally different advantages. So understanding concerning the various kinds of magnesium can are available very useful.
It helps protein synthesis, nerve functioning, blood glucose management, blood strain regulation, and vitality manufacturing,” says Daisy Mercer, MyFitnessPal registered dietitian (1).
However past these common advantages, magnesium dietary supplements are gaining recognition for addressing particular wellness objectives like selling higher sleep, digestive regularity, and easing muscle rigidity (1, 6).
In the event you’re contemplating a magnesium complement, there are some things to know concerning the totally different varieties. Hold studying to be taught for those who may profit from taking a magnesium complement and the way to decide on the precise sort in your wants.
Ought to You Take A Magnesium Complement?
Important for a lot of bodily features, magnesium is briefly provide for a lot of. Knowledge suggests that just about half of adults get insufficient magnesium by meals alone (5). So, a complement may very well be helpful for some. Seek the advice of a physician earlier than including new nutritional vitamins or vitamins to your routine, particularly if in case you have underlying well being situations, are pregnant or nursing, or take drugs that will work together.
Individuals who won’t be getting sufficient magnesium embody:
- Older adults (1)
- Individuals with GI illnesses like celiac and Crohn’s illness (5)
- Individuals with sort 2 diabetes (5)
- Individuals with alcohol dependence (1)
- Athletes (1)
- Individuals taking sure drugs (5)
Dietary supplements will be useful for individuals with sure well being situations, like:
That stated, taking magnesium dietary supplements whenever you don’t really want them isn’t an excellent concept. Supplementation can result in uncomfortable side effects like diarrhea, nausea, or an upset abdomen, particularly if taken in excessive doses (1).
And Mercer says you’re unlikely to want a complement for those who eat a balanced weight loss program (5).

Forms of Magnesium
Some types of magnesium are simpler on the digestive system, making them a good selection for selling leisure and sleep (6). Others could also be tougher in your physique to soak up, however will be efficient for situations like heartburn (5).
Right here’s a fast overview of six totally different kinds of magnesium, plus the conditions they may also help goal.
Citrate
- What it’s finest for: This type may also help relieve occasional constipation (4). It really works by drawing water into the intestines and softening stool (4).
- Extra concerns: Some persons are delicate to magnesium citrate and will expertise uncomfortable side effects corresponding to cramping or diarrhea (4).
Glycinate
- What it’s finest for: This kind is a well-liked alternative for leisure and sleep as a result of it combines magnesium with glycine, an amino acid recognized for its calming results (6). This will improve the mineral’s means to scale back stress and promote restful sleep (6).
- Extra concerns: It’s light on the abdomen, making it supreme for many who expertise digestive points with different kinds of magnesium (6). Whereas many types of magnesium could assist with leisure, anxiousness, sleep, and stress, I usually recommend magnesium glycinate since it’s much less prone to trigger uncomfortable side effects (6).
Oxide
- What it’s finest for: This one is steadily used to alleviate heartburn (5). Nevertheless, it has decrease bioavailability in comparison with different varieties, which means the physique absorbs much less of the mineral from this complement (5).
- Extra concerns: Whereas magnesium oxide is useful for managing acid reflux disease, it could have a laxative impact, so it’s not supreme for people who find themselves liable to abdomen discomfort (5).
In regards to the Specialists
Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is a nationally acknowledged meals and diet professional, media persona, diet marketing consultant, and creator. Cassetty is a former diet director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the e-book Sugar Shock.
Daisy Mercer, RD, is a Meals Knowledge Curator at MyFitnessPal. She graduated along with her bachelors of Meals Science and Dietetics from Colorado State College and accomplished her dietetic internship with the VA San Diego Healthcare system.
Chloride
- What it’s finest for: This kind could also be a great choice for those who battle to take capsules, as a result of it’s usually present in liquid kind (7). It’s additionally utilized in topical merchandise, like lotions, and different purposes to assuage sore muscular tissues (7).
- Extra concerns: This type is well-absorbed and could also be much less prone to trigger a laxative impact, making it an choice for individuals with digestive points (7).
Malate
- What it’s finest for: Malic acid, mixed with magnesium, performs a task in vitality manufacturing inside the cells, making magnesium malate particularly interesting for these combating fatigue and ache from fibromyalgia (8).
- Extra concerns: Whereas proof linking magnesium malate to those situations is proscribed, some anecdotal experiences and small research recommend it could enhance signs (8). This type is often well-tolerated and fewer prone to trigger digestive points in comparison with varieties like magnesium citrate or oxide (7).
Lactate
- What it’s finest for: Rising low magnesium ranges
- Extra concerns: This type of magnesium is much less generally used for particular well being issues but it surely’s pretty nicely absorbed (7).
| Forms of Magnesium Chart | ||||
| Magnesium | Major Use | Really useful Dose | Analysis Supported? | Potential Aspect Results |
| Magnesium Citrate | Relieves constipation (4) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (4) | Diarrhea, abdomen upset (4) |
| Magnesium Glycinate | Promotes leisure; could help sleep (6) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Some proof (6) | Often light, however delicate abdomen upset at greater doses (6) |
| Magnesium Oxide | Relieves heartburn (5) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (5) | Diarrhea, abdomen cramps (5) |
| Magnesium Chloride | Improves magnesium standing (7) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (7) | Nausea, delicate gastrointestinal points (7) |
| Magnesium Malate | Eases muscle ache and fatigue (8) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Some proof (7) | Delicate abdomen upset (7) |
| Magnesium Lactate | Might assist right deficiencies (7) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (7) | Nausea, digestive upset (7) |
How To Select the Greatest Magnesium Complement For You
While you’re prepared so as to add a magnesium complement to your routine, these 5 steps may also help you choose the precise one.
- Contemplate your objectives. Are you in search of a complement that may assist enhance sleep, chill out muscular tissues, or relieve constipation? Select your sort of magnesium accordingly.
- Take into consideration your abdomen. When you have a gastrointestinal (GI) situation or a delicate tummy, contemplate magnesium glycinate because it’s well-tolerated (3).
- Search for third-party certifications like NSF, USP, or testing by ConsumerLab.com. This helps guarantee efficiency and security–that your complement is free from undesirable components, like heavy metals (7, 9).
- Learn the label. Select merchandise that embody the magnesium sort and dosage per serving moderately than a proprietary mix of elements with the dosing listed for the mix (10).
- Verify for pointless fillers, components, colours, and allergens (11). These can present up in dietary supplements, so do your due diligence.
Incessantly Requested Questions (FAQs)
What’s the finest sort of magnesium to take?
The very best sort is determined by your wants. Glycinate is usually a good selection if in case you have a delicate gastrointestinal (GI) system (6).
What’s the distinction between magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate and magnesium oxide?
Magnesium is sure to various kinds of carriers to maintain it steady and enhance absorption. Nevertheless, these carriers—citrate, glycinate, and oxide—all influence the bioavailability and potential makes use of. Citrate helps promote regularity and is well-absorbed. glycinate could promote leisure and sleep with minimal GI uncomfortable side effects, and magnesium oxide is much less bioavailable however usually used for heartburn (4, 5, 6).
What’s the draw back of magnesium glycinate?
It’s normally well-tolerated, however excessive doses could trigger digestive upset in some individuals (6).
What sort of magnesium is sweet for weight reduction?
Research point out that magnesium consumption could also be inversely related to weight problems, so getting sufficient magnesium could also be a long-term technique for weight administration (12).
The Backside Line
Whether or not you’re seeking to ease muscle rigidity, enhance sleep high quality, or handle digestive well being, magnesium dietary supplements is usually a useful addition to your wellness routine (4, 6, 7). Understanding the totally different types of magnesium and their particular advantages means that you can tailor your option to your well being wants (5, 7).
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