Magnesium is a mineral that performs a important function 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 useful.
It helps protein synthesis, nerve functioning, blood glucose management, blood stress regulation, and power manufacturing,” says Daisy Mercer, MyFitnessPal registered dietitian (1).
However past these common advantages, magnesium dietary supplements are gaining recognition for addressing particular wellness targets like selling higher sleep, digestive regularity, and easing muscle pressure (1, 6).
When you’re contemplating a magnesium complement, there are some things to know in regards to the completely different varieties. Preserve studying to study if you happen to may profit from taking a magnesium complement and the way to decide on the appropriate kind to your wants.
Ought to You Take A Magnesium Complement?
Important for a lot of bodily features, magnesium is briefly provide for a lot of. Knowledge suggests that just about half of adults get insufficient magnesium by way of meals alone (5). So, a complement could possibly be helpful for some. Seek the advice of a physician earlier than including new nutritional vitamins or vitamins to your routine, particularly when you’ve got underlying well being circumstances, are pregnant or nursing, or take medicines which will work together.
Individuals who won’t be getting sufficient magnesium embody:
Older adults (1)
Folks with GI illnesses like celiac and Crohn’s illness (5)
Folks with kind 2 diabetes (5)
Folks with alcohol dependence (1)
Athletes (1)
Folks taking sure medicines (5)
Dietary supplements will be useful for folks with sure well being circumstances, like:
Migraines (1)
Stressed Leg Syndrome (1)
Insomnia and sleep issues (6)
Muscle pressure (1)
That mentioned, taking magnesium dietary supplements once you don’t really need them isn’t an awesome 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 if you happen to eat a balanced weight loss program (5).

Varieties of Magnesium
Some types of magnesium are simpler on the digestive system, making them a sensible choice for selling leisure and sleep (6). Others could also be tougher to your physique to soak up, however will be efficient for circumstances like heartburn (5).
Right here’s a fast overview of six completely different kinds of magnesium, plus the conditions they will help goal.
Citrate
What it’s greatest for: This manner will 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 reminiscent of cramping or diarrhea (4).
Glycinate
What it’s greatest for: This sort is a well-liked selection for leisure and sleep as a result of it combines magnesium with glycine, an amino acid recognized for its calming results (6). This may increasingly improve the mineral’s skill to cut back stress and promote restful sleep (6).
Further issues: It’s mild on the abdomen, making it best for many who expertise digestive points with different kinds of magnesium (6). Whereas many types of magnesium could assist with leisure, anxiousness, sleep, and stress, I typically counsel magnesium glycinate since it’s much less prone to trigger unwanted side effects (6).
Oxide
What it’s greatest 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 disorder, it will possibly have a laxative impact, so it’s not best for people who find themselves susceptible to abdomen discomfort (5).
Concerning the Consultants
Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is a nationally acknowledged meals and vitamin knowledgeable, media persona, vitamin marketing consultant, and writer. Cassetty is a former vitamin director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the e-book Sugar Shock.
Daisy Mercer, RD, is a Meals Knowledge 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 greatest for: This sort could also be choice if you happen to wrestle to take tablets, as a result of it’s typically present in liquid kind (7). It’s additionally utilized in topical merchandise, like lotions, and different purposes to appease sore muscle tissues (7).
Further issues: This manner is well-absorbed and could also be much less prone to trigger a laxative impact, making it an choice for folks with digestive points (7).
Malate
What it’s greatest for: Malic acid, mixed with magnesium, performs a job in power 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 circumstances is restricted, some anecdotal experiences and small research counsel it might enhance signs (8). This manner is usually well-tolerated and fewer prone to trigger digestive points in comparison with varieties like magnesium citrate or oxide (7).
Lactate
What it’s greatest for: Growing low magnesium ranges
Further issues: This type of magnesium is much less generally used for particular well being issues nevertheless it’s pretty properly absorbed (7).
How To Select the Finest Magnesium Complement For You
If you’re prepared so as to add a magnesium complement to your routine, these 5 steps will help you choose the appropriate one.
Think about your targets. Are you on the lookout for a complement that may assist enhance sleep, loosen up muscle 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, 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 embody the magnesium kind and dosage per serving slightly than a proprietary mix of components with the dosing listed for the mix (10).
Verify for pointless fillers, components, colours, and allergens (11). These can present up in dietary supplements, so do your due diligence.
Regularly Requested Questions (FAQs)
What’s the greatest type of magnesium to take?
The perfect kind depends upon your wants. Glycinate generally is a sensible choice when you’ve got 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 influence 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 side effects, and magnesium oxide is much less bioavailable however typically used for heartburn (4, 5, 6).
What’s the draw back of magnesium glycinate?
It’s often well-tolerated, however excessive doses could trigger digestive upset in some folks (6).
What kind 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 pressure, 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 lets you tailor your option to your well being wants (5, 7).
The publish What You Ought to Know Concerning the Varieties of Magnesium, In accordance with a Dietitian appeared first on MyFitnessPal Weblog.
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