Magnesium Citrate vs Other Magnesium Compounds

06 May.,2024

 

Magnesium Citrate vs Other Magnesium Compounds

What Is Magnesium Citrate and Why Is it Better than Other Magnesium Compounds?

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

In recent years, a growing number of people have started taking a proactive approach to everyday wellness. They are eating better, exercising more, and making simple lifestyle changes to support optimal health—and one of those changes is adding more magnesium to their daily diet.

Magnesium is an essential macromineral involved in over 300 cellular processes, including those responsible for protein synthesis and ATP production, but many Americans still fall short of consuming the recommended daily amount.

Taking a daily supplement can help boost your magnesium intake, but it is important to make sure the supplement you choose is fully absorbed by your body so you get the most benefit.

This is where magnesium citrate shines.

First, a little science: Magnesium supplements come in the form of compounds. The magnesium ion (Mg2+) is combined with a salt, an acid, or an amino acid chelate to keep the mineral ion in a stable form that is suitable for consumption.

Magnesium citrate combines the salt element of magnesium with citric acid, resulting in a highly absorbable form of magnesium. With most magnesium supplements, the body is only able to absorb and assimilate a small percentage of the magnesium, but in the form of a mineral citrate, the body is able to absorb a much greater amount.

Why is absorbability so important?

If you’re taking a daily magnesium supplement but your body can’t easily take in and use the magnesium compound, you’ll miss out on all of the health-promoting benefits. On the other hand, if it’s readily absorbed and usable by your body—what scientists call bioavailable—then you’re in luck.

While not all magnesium compounds are created equal, magnesium citrate and glycinate are two of the better absorbed forms of magnesium.

How much magnesium does the average person need?

The Daily Value (DV) for magnesium for ages 4 and above is 420 mg. (If women are pregnant or lactating, those numbers will be slightly different).

Infants under a year should get between 30 mg and 75 mg of magnesium daily.

What causes magnesium deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency can be caused by a number of external factors, including everyday stress, taking certain medications (such as diuretics, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, insulin, and cortisone), heavy exercise, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, a lack of adequate dietary magnesium, and too much calcium in the diet.

What type of Magnesium does Natural Vitality CALM use?

Most Natural Vitality CALM powders contain magnesium carbonate along with citric acid; this forms a magnesium citrate solution when combined with water. The reaction will occur immediately in hot water, and when the fizzing subsides it means the product is converted into magnesium citrate. If you prefer cold water, the process may take up to 15 minutes. Either way, the final product, once dissolved, is ready to be absorbed and utilized by your body.

Natural Vitality CALM gummies contain magnesium citrate. Natural Vitality CALM also offers supplements with a combination of magnesium carbonate and magnesium glycinate. Also available are Natural Vitality CALM capsules, which contain highly absorbable magnesium glycinate.

Ultimately, what matters is whether or not your supplement is able to get the magnesium to your cells, where it’s needed.

Magnesium citrate and glycinate are not only well absorbed, they are also highly bioavailable.

Types of Magnesium: Benefits, side effects, and differences

Different types of magnesium supplements carry different reported effects and benefits. For example, some research suggests magnesium taurate may help lower blood pressure, and magnesium citrate may be useful for constipation.

Magnesium is one of the most common minerals in the body. It plays a role in over over 600 metabolic reactions, including energy production, protein formation, and blood pressure regulation.

However, some people need extra help getting enough magnesium. Choosing the right magnesium supplement can help boost levels of this nutrient and may help with various medical conditions.

This article looks at the different types of magnesium, their pros and cons, and how people can choose between them.

What types of magnesium are there?

Share on Pinterest

d3sign/Getty Images

There are many types of magnesium present in dietary supplements and food products. These include:

  • magnesium citrate
  • magnesium glycinate
  • magnesium chloride
  • magnesium lactate
  • magnesium malate
  • magnesium taurate
  • magnesium sulfate
  • magnesium oxide

Each type of magnesium has different properties. They can vary in terms of their:

  • medical uses
  • bioavailability, or how easy it is for the body to absorb them
  • potential side effects

A person should seek the advice of a doctor or dietitian before trying a magnesium supplement.

For better nutrition

The following types of magnesium are popular as general dietary supplements:

Magnesium glycinate

Magnesium glycinate is a compound of magnesium and glycine, an amino acid.

Older research on magnesium glycine indicates that people tolerate it well and that it causes minimal side effects. This means it may be a good option for people who require higher doses of this nutrient or who experience side effects when using other types of magnesium.

Magnesium lactate

This type of magnesium is a compound of magnesium and lactic acid. According to a 2017 analysis, there is evidence that magnesium lactate absorbs in the gut easily.

Magnesium malate

This type of magnesium is a compound of magnesium and malic acid. Some evidence suggests that it is highly bioavailable and that people tolerate it well.

A 2019 animal study found that, out of several types of magnesium, magnesium malate was the fastest to absorb after a single dose. This may also be true of humans, but human trials are necessary to confirm this.

Link to Meishen

A 2018 study in humans reported that a supplement containing a combination of magnesium malate and several vitamins caused few digestive side effects.

Magnesium citrate

Magnesium citrate is a popular form of magnesium. It is often an ingredient in supplements and appears easier for the body to absorb than other forms.

An older 2003 study of 46 adults found magnesium citrate absorbed better than magnesium oxide and magnesium chelate.

However, magnesium citrate is also a treatment for constipation. For some people, this may mean it causes unwanted digestive side effects, such as diarrhea.

Learn about magnesium citrate for constipation.

For topical use

Some people use magnesium on the skin. The types of magnesium people can use in this way include:

Magnesium chloride

Magnesium chloride is a type of salt that people can find in topical magnesium products, such as magnesium oils and some bath salts. People use it as an alternative method for getting more magnesium.

However, it is unclear whether the skin can absorb much magnesium via this method.

A 2017 review concluded that while there is evidence that the body can absorb a small amount of magnesium through the skin, large-scale studies are necessary to determine its effectiveness.

People can also take magnesium chloride internally, as the intestines absorb it well. However, as with some other types of magnesium, it may cause digestive side effects.

Magnesium sulfate

Magnesium sulfate is the form of magnesium in Epsom salts.

Many people add Epsom salts to baths and foot soaks to soothe aching muscles. However, little high quality evidence shows the body can absorb much magnesium from magnesium sulfate baths.

For specific conditions

Several types of magnesium can help treat constipation, such as magnesium citrate. Other types may have utility as medical treatments.

Magnesium oxide

Doctors may use magnesium oxide to treat constipation or as an antacid for heartburn or indigestion.

Magnesium oxide is also present in some dietary supplements. However, the body does not absorb this form of magnesium well, according to a 2017 analysis.

Magnesium taurate

This type of magnesium is a compound of magnesium and taurine. Limited evidence suggests it may lower blood pressure and protect the cardiovascular system.

Authors of a 2018 animal study reported that magnesium taurate reduced high blood pressure and heart damage in rats that had taken a toxic substance. The researchers concluded that this shows the potential of magnesium taurate as a cardioprotective nutritional supplement.

However, until more research occurs, people should not use magnesium supplements as treatments for cardiovascular conditions.

How to choose a magnesium product

When choosing magnesium products, it is important to consider:

This can help with choosing a product that will be safe and effective.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 400–420 milligrams (mg) for adult males and 310–360 mg for adult females. A person’s RDA may increase to 400 mg daily during pregnancy and lactation.

People can determine whether they need help getting more magnesium by asking a doctor to test their magnesium levels.

Learn about magnesium supplements for anxiety here.

Food sources

People can get more magnesium from their food. Dietary sources of magnesium include:

Cashews, peanuts, soy milk, and black beans are also good sources. Many other foods contain smaller amounts.

However, the body only absorbs around 30–40% of the dietary magnesium a person consumes. This, combined with the relatively small amount of foods that contain high amounts of magnesium, may make it challenging for some people to get enough of this nutrient from their diet.

Summary

Magnesium is essential for health. A magnesium supplement may be necessary for some people to get enough of this mineral.

Several types of magnesium are suitable as dietary supplements, such as magnesium citrate, glycinate, and lactate. Other kinds have topical uses, such as in baths or on the skin.

People should seek guidance from a doctor before taking a magnesium supplement or using a topical magnesium product, as they are not suitable for everybody.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit magnesium oxide powder.