
Magnesium is a mineral that performs a important position in over 300 biochemical reactions within the physique (5). However completely different sorts of magnesium present completely different advantages. So realizing in regards to the various kinds of magnesium can are available in 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 normal advantages, magnesium dietary supplements are gaining reputation for addressing particular wellness targets like selling higher sleep, digestive regularity, and easing muscle stress (1, 6).
In case you’re contemplating a magnesium complement, there are some things to know in regards to the completely different varieties. Preserve studying to be taught should you would possibly profit from taking a magnesium complement and the way to decide on the correct sort in your wants.
Ought to You Take A Magnesium Complement?
Important for a lot of bodily features, magnesium is in brief provide for a lot of. Knowledge suggests that nearly half of adults get insufficient magnesium by way of 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 when you have underlying well being situations, are pregnant or nursing, or take medicines that will work together.
Individuals who may not be getting sufficient magnesium embrace:
- Older adults (1)
- Folks with GI illnesses like celiac and Crohn’s illness (5)
- Folks with sort 2 diabetes (5)
- Folks with alcohol dependence (1)
- Athletes (1)
- Folks taking sure medicines (5)
Dietary supplements will be useful for individuals with sure well being situations, like:
That stated, taking magnesium dietary supplements while you don’t really need them isn’t an excellent concept. Supplementation can result in unwanted side effects like diarrhea, nausea, or an upset abdomen, particularly if taken in excessive doses (1).
And Mercer says you’re unlikely to wish a complement should you eat a balanced food regimen (5).

Sorts of Magnesium
Some types of magnesium are simpler on the digestive system, making them a good selection for selling rest 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 completely different forms 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).
- Further issues: Some individuals are delicate to magnesium citrate and will expertise unwanted side effects comparable to cramping or diarrhea (4).
Glycinate
- What it’s finest for: This kind is a well-liked selection for rest and sleep as a result of it combines magnesium with glycine, an amino acid identified for its calming results (6). This will improve the mineral’s skill to scale back stress and promote restful sleep (6).
- Further issues: It’s light on the abdomen, making it ideally suited for individuals who expertise digestive points with different forms of magnesium (6). Whereas many types of magnesium might assist with rest, anxiousness, sleep, and stress, I usually recommend magnesium glycinate since it’s much less more likely to trigger unwanted side effects (6).
Oxide
- What it’s finest for: This one is often used to alleviate heartburn (5). Nonetheless, it has decrease bioavailability in comparison with different varieties, that means the physique absorbs much less of the mineral from this complement (5).
- Further issues: Whereas magnesium oxide is useful for managing acid reflux disease, it may well have a laxative impact, so it’s not ideally suited for people who find themselves vulnerable to abdomen discomfort (5).
Concerning the Specialists
Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is a nationally acknowledged meals and vitamin professional, media persona, vitamin advisor, and creator. Cassetty is a former vitamin director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the guide Sugar Shock.
Daisy Mercer, RD, is a Meals Knowledge Curator at MyFitnessPal. She graduated together 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 possibility should you battle to take drugs, as a result of it’s usually present in liquid type (7). It’s additionally utilized in topical merchandise, like lotions, and different purposes to appease sore muscle tissues (7).
- Further issues: This type is well-absorbed and could also be much less more likely to trigger a laxative impact, making it an possibility for individuals with digestive points (7).
Malate
- What it’s finest for: Malic acid, mixed with magnesium, performs a job in vitality manufacturing throughout the cells, making magnesium malate particularly interesting for these combating fatigue and ache from fibromyalgia (8).
- Further issues: Whereas proof linking magnesium malate to those situations is restricted, some anecdotal studies and small research recommend it could enhance signs (8). This type is usually well-tolerated and fewer more likely to trigger digestive points in comparison with varieties like magnesium citrate or oxide (7).
Lactate
- What it’s finest for: Rising low magnesium ranges
- Further issues: This type of magnesium is much less generally used for particular well being issues but it surely’s pretty properly absorbed (7).
| Sorts of Magnesium Chart | ||||
| Magnesium | Main Use | Really useful Dose | Analysis Supported? | Doable Aspect Results |
| Magnesium Citrate | Relieves constipation (4) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (4) | Diarrhea, abdomen upset (4) |
| Magnesium Glycinate | Promotes rest; might assist sleep (6) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Some proof (6) | Normally 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) | Gentle abdomen upset (7) |
| Magnesium Lactate | Could 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 correct one.
- Think about your targets. Are you searching for a complement that may assist enhance sleep, loosen up muscle tissues, or relieve constipation? Select your sort of magnesium accordingly.
- Take into consideration your abdomen. When you’ve got 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 embrace the magnesium sort and dosage per serving reasonably than a proprietary mix of substances with the dosing listed for the mix (10).
- Examine for pointless fillers, components, colours, and allergens (11). These can present up in dietary supplements, so do your due diligence.
Continuously Requested Questions (FAQs)
What’s the finest type of magnesium to take?
The perfect sort will depend on your wants. Glycinate generally is a good selection when you have a delicate gastrointestinal (GI) system (6).
What’s the distinction between magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate and magnesium oxide?
Magnesium is certain to various kinds of carriers to maintain it steady and enhance absorption. Nonetheless, these carriers—citrate, glycinate, and oxide—all affect the bioavailability and potential makes use of. Citrate helps promote regularity and is well-absorbed. glycinate might promote rest and sleep with minimal GI unwanted 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 often well-tolerated, however excessive doses might trigger digestive upset in some individuals (6).
What sort of magnesium is nice 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 stress, enhance sleep high quality, or handle digestive well being, magnesium dietary supplements generally is a useful addition to your wellness routine (4, 6, 7). Understanding the completely 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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