Magnesium is a mineral that performs a crucial position in over 300 biochemical reactions within the physique (5). However completely different sorts of magnesium present completely different advantages. So figuring out in regards to the various kinds of magnesium can are available in very helpful.
It helps protein synthesis, nerve functioning, blood glucose management, blood strain regulation, and power manufacturing,” says Daisy Mercer, MyFitnessPal registered dietitian (1).
However past these basic advantages, magnesium dietary supplements are gaining recognition for addressing particular wellness objectives like selling higher sleep, digestive regularity, and easing muscle rigidity (1, 6).
For those who’re contemplating a magnesium complement, there are some things to know in regards to the completely different kinds. Preserve studying to be taught in case you may profit from taking a magnesium complement and the way to decide on the fitting kind on your wants.
Ought to You Take A Magnesium Complement?
Important for a lot of bodily capabilities, magnesium is in brief provide for a lot of. Information suggests that nearly half of adults get insufficient magnesium by way of meals alone (5). So, a complement might be helpful for some. Seek the advice of a health care provider earlier than including new nutritional vitamins or vitamins to your routine, particularly you probably have underlying well being circumstances, are pregnant or nursing, or take drugs which will work together.
Individuals who may not be getting sufficient magnesium embody:
- Older adults (1)
- Folks with GI ailments like celiac and Crohn’s illness (5)
- Folks with kind 2 diabetes (5)
- Folks with alcohol dependence (1)
- Athletes (1)
- Folks taking sure drugs (5)
Dietary supplements will be useful for folks with sure well being circumstances, like:
That stated, taking magnesium dietary supplements whenever you don’t really want them isn’t an amazing thought. Supplementation can result in unwanted 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 in case you eat a balanced food plan (5).

Kinds 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 on your physique to soak up, however will be efficient for circumstances like heartburn (5).
Right here’s a fast overview of six completely different varieties of magnesium, plus the conditions they can assist goal.
Citrate
- What it’s finest for: This type can assist 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 unwanted effects comparable 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 may occasionally improve the mineral’s potential to scale back stress and promote restful sleep (6).
- Extra concerns: It’s light on the abdomen, making it preferrred for many who expertise digestive points with different varieties of magnesium (6). Whereas many types of magnesium could assist with leisure, nervousness, sleep, and stress, I usually recommend magnesium glycinate since it’s much less prone to trigger unwanted effects (6).
Oxide
- What it’s finest for: This one is regularly used to alleviate heartburn (5). Nonetheless, it has decrease bioavailability in comparison with different kinds, that 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 may well have a laxative impact, so it’s not preferrred for people who find themselves liable to abdomen discomfort (5).
In regards to the Consultants
Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is a nationally acknowledged meals and diet professional, media character, diet advisor, and creator. Cassetty is a former diet director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the guide Sugar Shock.
Daisy Mercer, RD, is a Meals Information 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 possibility in case you wrestle to take capsules, as a result of it’s usually present in liquid type (7). It’s additionally utilized in topical merchandise, like lotions, and different functions 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 possibility for folks with digestive points (7).
Malate
- What it’s finest for: Malic acid, mixed with magnesium, performs a job in power 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 circumstances is restricted, some anecdotal studies and small research recommend it might enhance signs (8). This type is usually well-tolerated and fewer prone to trigger digestive points in comparison with kinds like magnesium citrate or oxide (7).
Lactate
- What it’s finest for: Growing low magnesium ranges
- Extra concerns: This type of magnesium is much less generally used for particular well being considerations but it surely’s pretty nicely absorbed (7).
Kinds of Magnesium Chart | ||||
Magnesium | Main Use | Beneficial Dose | Analysis Supported? | Doable Facet Results |
Magnesium Citrate | Relieves constipation (4) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (4) | Diarrhea, abdomen upset (4) |
Magnesium Glycinate | Promotes leisure; could assist sleep (6) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Some proof (6) | Normally light, however delicate abdomen upset at larger 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 | Might assist appropriate deficiencies (7) | As much as 350 mg (5) | Sure (7) | Nausea, digestive upset (7) |
How To Select the Greatest Magnesium Complement For You
Once you’re prepared so as to add a magnesium complement to your routine, these 5 steps can assist you choose the fitting one.
- Think about your objectives. Are you in search of a complement that may assist enhance sleep, calm down muscular tissues, or relieve constipation? Select your kind of magnesium accordingly.
- Take into consideration your abdomen. In case you have a gastrointestinal (GI) situation or a delicate tummy, think about 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 kind and dosage per serving relatively than a proprietary mix of elements with the dosing listed for the mix (10).
- Test 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?
One of the best kind relies on your wants. Glycinate generally is a sensible choice you probably 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. 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 could promote leisure and sleep with minimal GI unwanted 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 folks (6).
What kind 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 trying to ease muscle rigidity, 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).
The publish What You Should Know About the Types of Magnesium, According to a Dietitian appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.
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