Magnesium
Educational ingredient reference — not medical advice.
Last updated: 2026-06-30 · Last reviewed: 2026-06-30
What it is
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in many normal body processes. According to NIH Office of Dietary Supplements materials, magnesium is found in foods and is also sold in several supplemental forms — glycinate, citrate, malate, oxide, and others. Supplement labels may list compound names, chelate weights, or elemental magnesium amounts; comparing products requires checking how much elemental magnesium each serving provides. For glycinate and citrate label differences, see our magnesium glycinate vs citrate guide (magnesium citrate vs glycinate coverage on the same page). Research has examined magnesium intake in population and clinical contexts; individual needs and tolerance vary. SuppCheckr summarizes label and product-comparison information — not medical advice. SuppCheckr does not rank magnesium products for sleep, anxiety, constipation, blood pressure, migraines, cognition, or any medical condition.
Common forms on labels
Magnesium glycinate / bisglycinate, Magnesium citrate, Magnesium malate, Magnesium oxide, Magnesium L-threonate, Magnesium chloride, Magnesium taurate
Typical dosage context (not a personal recommendation)
NIH health-professional materials publish Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs) for magnesium by age, sex, and life stage, and note a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for supplemental magnesium in adults (350 mg/day from supplements and medications — not including magnesium from food). Product serving sizes and elemental magnesium per serving differ widely by form and brand. Dietary intake from food plus supplemental intake should be considered together. This page does not prescribe a dose. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing magnesium supplements, especially if pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking medication, managing kidney disease, or managing a medical condition.
Safety context
According to NIH materials, very high intakes of magnesium from supplements or medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping; some forms (such as carbonate, chloride, gluconate, and oxide) are more commonly associated with laxative effects than others. People with impaired kidney function or kidney disease may be at risk of hypermagnesemia and should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using magnesium supplements. Magnesium supplements are not a substitute for medical care. Product labels, warnings, dosages, and formulas can change — verify the current label before use.
Interactions and medical questions
NIH health-professional materials describe magnesium interactions with several medication classes, including bisphosphonates, some antibiotics, diuretics, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This summary is not a complete interaction list. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist if you take prescription medications, especially if you manage kidney disease or a chronic medical condition.
Related product reviews
Klean Athlete Klean Magnesium (90 Vegetarian Capsules)
Klean Athlete
Nutricost Magnesium Citrate Capsules (120 Capsules)
Nutricost
NOW Magnesium Malate 1000 mg Tablets (180 Tablets, SKU 1300)
NOW Foods
Pure Encapsulations Magnesium (Citrate/Malate) (180 Capsules)
Pure Encapsulations
Nature Made Magnesium Oxide 250 mg Tablets (100 Tablets)
Nature Made
Related reading
- Magnesium supplements overview
- Compare all magnesium products
- How to choose a magnesium supplement
- What Is Magnesium?
- How to Choose a Magnesium Supplement
- Magnesium Glycinate vs Citrate: Label Differences, Serving Size, and Tolerance
- Magnesium Dosage Guide
- Magnesium Side Effects and Safety
- Types of Magnesium
Sources
- Magnesium — Health Professional Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH)
- Magnesium — Consumer Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH)
- FDA — Dietary Supplements — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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