About Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential macro mineral that plays a critical role in numerous physiological functions, including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, energy production, and bone health. It is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, making it vital for overall health and well-being.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
7577

At a glance

Suggested daily

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 400-420 mg for adult men and 310-320 mg for adult women.

Max safe daily

The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for magnesium from supplements is 350 mg for adults.

Approval status

GRAS

Compare All Forms

35 forms

Compare supplement forms of Magnesium by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Magnesium
  • CAS: 7439-95-4
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Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium aluminometasilicate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium ascorbate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium ascorbate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium borate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium carbonate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Citrate
  • CAS: 778571-57-6
  • Label category: synthetic
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Magnesium citrate laurate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium citrate malate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium citrate oxide β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Creatine β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Fructo-Oligosaccharides β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Glycinate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Glycinate (Magnesium Bisglycinate)

Highly bioavailable, well-tolerated magnesium form. Supports...

  • UNII: J3B8VKZ27P
  • CAS: 14783-68-7
  • Label category: synthetic
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Magnesium hydrogen sulfate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium hydroxide β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium hydroxycitrate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium L-Threonate
  • CAS: 778571-57-6
  • Label category: Synthetic (Chelated)
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Magnesium Lysinate Glycinate

Highly bioavailable form of magnesium; gentle on the stomach...

  • CAS: None specifically assigned for this exact chelate blend; components: Magnesium Glycinate (14783-68-1), L-Lysine (56-87-1).
  • Label category: synthetic
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Magnesium Malate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Octanoate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Oligofructose β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Oxide
  • Label category: Synthetic
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Magnesium peroxide β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Salicylate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Silicate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium stearate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Stearate
  • CAS: 557-04-0
  • Label category: synthetic
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Magnesium tanshinoate B β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium tartrate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium Taurate
  • Label category: Synthetic (Chelated)
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Magnesium Taurinate β€” β€” β€” View β†’
Magnesium threonate β€” β€” β€” View β†’

Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

Magnesium Glycinate Lysinate

Type: Minerals

Inorganic elements essential for various physiological functions including bone formation, nerve function, and enzyme activity.

Absorption: Minerals often compete for absorption. Chelated forms generally have better bioavailability.

Interactions: High doses of some minerals can interfere with absorption of others. Some minerals can interact with medications.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions β€” talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May interact with certain diuretics, antibiotics, and medications for osteoporosis.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Magnesium forms:

And 25 more benefits...

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Magnesium forms:

And 4 more side effects...

What does the research say?

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of magnesium in health, including its role in cardiovascular health, bone density, and metabolic processes. Research indicates that adequate magnesium intake is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.