Depending upon the source1Wallace TC, McBurney M, Fulgoni VL, 3rd. Multivitamin/mineral supplement contribution to micronutrient intakes in the United States, 2007-2010. J Am Coll Nutr. 2014;33(2):94-102. 2Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 1;10(9):1202. doi: 10.3390/nu10091202. PMID: 30200431; PMCID: PMC6163803., 52-60% of Americans do not meet the daily requirement for magnesium, and 45% are magnesium deficient3Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 1;10(9):1202. doi: 10.3390/nu10091202. PMID: 30200431; PMCID: PMC6163803.. The high rate of magnesium deficiency is believed to be partly due to the steady decline in magnesium content in cultivated fruits and vegetables, caused by soil depletion over the past 100 years, and the increased consumption of processed foods, which hinder magnesium absorption.4Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 1;10(9):1202. doi: 10.3390/nu10091202. PMID: 30200431; PMCID: PMC6163803.
Given the role of magnesium in calcium and potassium transport, cell signaling, energy metabolism, genome stability, DNA repair, and replication, magnesium deficiency is not surprising that it is associated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and several neurological disorders.5Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 1;10(9):1202. doi: 10.3390/nu10091202. PMID: 30200431; PMCID: PMC6163803.
All of this makes a compelling case for taking a magnesium supplement. This article will provide an overview of magnesium, including what it does, its benefits as a supplement, the different types of magnesium supplements, factors shaping the magnesium market, and more.
What is Magnesium and What Does it Do?
So, what is magnesium, and what does a magnesium supplement do?
Magnesium is an essential mineral and a cofactor for more than 300 metabolic reactions.6Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Magnesium. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1997:190-249. Numerous magnesium-dependent chemical reactions are required to produce energy from the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and to produce the energy molecule known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Magnesium is also required during the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and various proteins, as well as glutathione, an important antioxidant. Likewise, magnesium plays a structural role in bones, cell membranes, and chromosomes, while also essential for ion transport, cell signaling, and cell migration—processes that may be crucial for wound healing.7Rude RK, Shils ME. Magnesium. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:223-247.
Magnesium is essential for energy production, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure control. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels in the blood), hypocalcemia (low calcium levels), hypokalemia (low potassium levels), sodium retention, low levels of circulating parathyroid hormone, as well as neurological and muscular symptoms such as tremors, muscle spasms, and tetany (painful muscle cramps). Additional signs include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and personality changes.8Rude RK, Shils ME. Magnesium. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:223-247.
Health Benefits & Absorption of Different Types of Magnesium Supplements
There are different types of magnesium supplements available, each studied for specific health benefits. The following is a listing of several types of magnesium and the potential benefits they offer:
- Magnesium aspartate – Supports hearing.9Attias J, Am J Otolaryngol 1994;15:26-32.
- Magnesium carbonate – Helps neutralize gastric acids10Swain R, et al. South Med J 1999;92:1040-7. and helps promote healthy heart function11Lichodziejewska B, et al. Am J Cardiol 1997;79:768-72..
- Magnesium chloride – Promotes healthy fasting glucose levels already in a normal range and supports healthy insulin sensitivity.12Rodriguez-Moran M, et al. Diabetes Care 2003;26:1147-52. 13Guerrero-Romero F, et al. Diabetes Metab 2004;30:253-8.
- Magnesium citrate – By attracting water into the intestines, stimulates bowel motility14Anderson PO, Knoben JE. Handbook of Clinical Drug Data. 8th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1997., helps relieve temporary constipation. Helps reduce occasional headaches15Demirkaya S, J Headache Pain 2000;1:179-86.. Helps relieve occasional leg cramps during pregnancy due to low magnesium levels16Dahle LO, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995;173:175-80..
- Magnesium hydroxide – By attracting water into the intestines, stimulates bowel motility17Anderson PO, Knoben JE. Handbook of Clinical Drug Data. 8th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1997., helps relieve temporary constipation. Helps neutralize gastric acids.18Swain R, et al. South Med J 1999;92:1040-7. Promotes kidney health19Johansson G, J Urol 1980;124:770–4., especially in combination with vitamin B620Rattan V, Urol Res 1994;22:161-5.. Helps support bone density21Stendig-Lindberg G, et al. Magnes Res 1993;6:155-63.. Helps support healthy blood pressure levels already in a normal range22Widman L, et al. Am J Hypertens 1993;6:41-5..
- Magnesium lactate – Helps relieve occasional leg cramps during pregnancy due to low magnesium levels23Widman L, et al. Am J Hypertens 1993;6:41-5..
- Magnesium oxide – Helps neutralize gastric acids.24Swain R, et al. South Med J 1999;92:1040-7. Helps reduce occasional headaches.25Wang F, Headache 2003;43:601-10. Helps relieve premenstrual symptoms26Walker AF, et al. J Womens Health 1998;7:1157-65.. Helps support healthy blood pressure levels already in a normal range27Sanjuliani AF, Int J Cardiol 1996;56:177-83.. Helps relieve restless legs due to low magnesium levels28Hornyak M, et al. Sleep 1998;21:501-5..
- Magnesium oxide monohydrate – Helps support healthy cholesterol levels already in a normal range while promoting healthy platelet aggregation29Shechter M, Saad T, Shechter A, Koren-Morag N, Silver BB, Matetzky S. Comparison of magnesium status using X-ray dispersion analysis following magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate treatment of healthy subjects. Magnes Res. 2012; 25(1): 28-39.. Helps promote healthy levels of inflammatory markers in a healthy population30Shechter M, Saad T, Shechter A, Koren-Morag N, Silver BB, Matetzky S. Comparison of magnesium status using X-ray dispersion analysis following magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate treatment of healthy subjects. Magnes Res. 2012; 25(1): 28-39..
- Magnesium pidolate – Supports healthy insulin response and action.31Paolisso G, Am J Clin Nutr 1992;55:1161-7.
- Magnesium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid – Helps relieve premenstrual symptoms 32Facchinetti F, et al. Obstet Gynecol 1991;78:177-81..
- Magnesium sulfate – By attracting water into the intestines, stimulates bowel motility33Anderson PO, Knoben JE. Handbook of Clinical Drug Data. 8th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1997., helps relieve temporary constipation. May positively affect sports performance by decreasing lactic acid levels34Çınar V, Nizamlıoğlu M, Moğulkoc R. The effect of magnesium supplementation on lactate levels of sportsmen and sedanter. Acta Physiologica Hungarica. 2006;93(2–3):137–144..
- Magnesium threonate – In animal and human research35Slutsky I, Neuron. 2010 Jan 28;65(2):165-77. 36Zhang C, Hu Q, Li S, Dai F, Qian W, Hewlings S, Yan T, Wang Y. A Magtein®, Magnesium L-Threonate, -Based Formula Improves Brain Cognitive Functions in Healthy Chinese Adults. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 8;14(24):5235. doi: 10.3390/nu14245235. PMID: 36558392; PMCID: PMC9786204. helped promote memory and cognitive function.
- Sucrosomial magnesium – Shown to promote healthy bone density37Scaturro D, Vitagliani F, Terrana P, Tomasello S, Camarda L, Letizia Mauro G. Does the association of therapeutic exercise and supplementation with sucrosomial magnesium improve posture and balance and prevent the risk of new falls? Aging Clin Exp Res. 2022;34(3):545-553..
- Trimagnesium dicitrate – Helps reduce occasional headaches.38Peikert A, Cephalalgia 1996;16:257-63.
The different forms of magnesium also have varying levels of absorption. In a study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics39Ranade VV, Somberg JC. Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics of Magnesium After Administration of Magnesium Salts to Humans. American Journal of Therapeutics 2001;8:345–357., different magnesium salts were given to human subjects to determine which forms of magnesium had the best absorption. The following table provides partial results:
| Magnesium salt | Absorption |
| Citrate | 29.64% |
| Oxide | 22.8% |
| Chloride | 19.68% |
| Gluconate | 19.25% |
| Glycinate | 23.5% |
As you can see, while magnesium citrate has better absorption, magnesium oxide’s absorption is still reasonably good, and even better than some other forms tested.
Furthermore, the different forms of magnesium also have varying levels of magnesium content. This is important to understand when considering the practical aspects of magnesium source and magnesium absorption by comparing apples to apples:
If you used the 667 mg of magnesium citrate and 667 mg of magnesium oxide, the total elemental magnesium you’d receive would be about 107 mg from citrate and 400 from oxide. Even with 6.84% greater magnesium absorption from citrate, you’d still end up with far more magnesium from the oxide source:
| 667 mg magnes. salt | % absorbed | Net mg absorbed |
| Citrate (16%) | 29.64% | 17.1 mg |
| Oxide (58%) | 22.8% | 88.2 mg |
Who Should Take a Magnesium Supplement?
Everyone needs magnesium. Given the widespread prevalence of inadequate intake and deficiency associated with this essential mineral, most Americans should consider using a dietary supplement to ensure sufficient magnesium levels.
To determine the appropriate magnesium supplement dosage, consider the following Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for magnesium40Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Magnesium. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1997:190-249.:
| Life Stage | Age | Males (mg/day) | Females (mg/day) |
| Infants | 0-6 months | 30 (adequate intake) | 30 (AI) |
| Infants | 7-12 months | 75 (adequate intake) | 75 (AI) |
| Children | 1-3 years | 80 | 80 |
| Children | 4-8 years | 130 | 130 |
| Children | 9-13 years | 240 | 240 |
| Adolescents | 14-18 years | 410 | 360 |
| Adults | 19-30 years | 400 | 310 |
| Adults | 31 years and older | 420 | 320 |
| Pregnancy | 18 years and younger | – | 400 |
| Pregnancy | 19-30 years | – | 350 |
| Pregnancy | 31 years and older | – | 360 |
| Breast-feeding | 18 years and younger | – | 360 |
| Breast-feeding | 19-30 years | – | 310 |
| Breast-feeding | 31 years and older | – | 320 |
Why Should You Include Magnesium Supplements in Your Supplement Lineup?
As of September 2024, SPINS data41Casteel B. SPINS presentation. UNPA Member’s Retreat, Deer Valley, UT. September 2024. revealed a 40.9% year-over-year increase in U.S. magnesium product sales. Sales growth for specific magnesium forms over the past 52 weeks was particularly notable: bisglycinate surged by 128.1%, taurate by 58.3%, glycinate by 503%, malate by 44.3%, L-threonate by 39.9%, and citrate by 29.2%. In terms of total dollar sales, magnesium citrate led the market, followed by bisglycinate, carbonate, oxide, and L-threonate.
This rapid growth highlights the expanding domestic magnesium market. Forward-thinking brand owners should capitalize on this trend by including magnesium supplements in their product lines to leverage this substantial opportunity.
Factors Shaping the Magnesium Supplement Market
In addition to the domestic market, the global magnesium market is also experiencing significant growth. In 2023, it was valued at $12.83 billion and is projected to reach $24.15 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.23%.42Magnesium Supplement Market. Vantage Market Research. Retrieved December 20, 2024 from https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/magnesium-supplements-market-0439#:~:text=The%20Global%20Magnesium%20Supplements%20Market,rhythm%20steady%20and%20bones%20strong.
But what factors within different population groups are driving the growth of the magnesium supplement market? Consider the following43Magnesium Supplement Market. DataIntelo. Retrieved December 23, 2024 from https://dataintelo.com/report/global-magnesium-supplement-market.:
- Adults – Adults are the largest end-user segment due to their higher awareness of health and wellness, their hectic lifestyles, and dietary patterns which often lead to nutrient deficiencies leading them to seek supplements to maintain their health. This demographic is also more likely to engage in fitness activities and seek sports nutrition products, further driving the demand for magnesium supplements.
- Children – Parents are gaining awareness of the nutritional needs of their children and the role that magnesium plays in their growth and development. As such, parents are seeking appropriate delivery forms such as chewable tablets or gummies for their children, contributing to the growth of this segment.
- Elderly – The elderly population is also contributing to the growth of the magnesium market. Age-related concerns such as bone health, cardiovascular health, and muscle weakness have led to the increased use of magnesium supplements in this population segment.
Forward-thinking brand owners are already focusing on developing various age-specific formulations to cater to the unique needs of different end-user groups.
Considerations for Brand Owners for Developing Magnesium Supplements
When planning to introduce a magnesium supplement into your product line, there are a couple of factors to consider. These include selecting the right type of magnesium, as well as dosing and side effects.
Selecting the Right Magnesium Type for Your Supplement
You’ll want to consider the intended use of the magnesium product you plan to introduce. Is the product formulated to promote healthy blood pressure? Is it for premenstrual health? Is it for occasional leg cramps? Is it for cognitive health? Depending on the intended use, it is crucial to select a form of magnesium that has been clinically researched and proven effective for that specific purpose. In addition to the form, it is also important to use the appropriate dosage level if you want the best possible chance for the product to work, as well as being able to substantiate claims.
Another important consideration is taste. Certain forms of magnesium, such as magnesium citrate and sucrosomial magnesium, have a more neutral flavor, making them particularly suitable for chewable tablets, powders, and other palatable delivery forms.
Of course, you may not know which forms or doses of magnesium are best for your intended application. That’s why it is important to partner with a good Contract Development (CDMO) and Manufacturing Organization that has extensive experience creating custom magnesium products.
Dosing and Side Effects of Magnesium Supplements
Side effects from magnesium occurring naturally in food are rare. However, excessive magnesium intake through supplementation can lead to side effects, with the most common being diarrhea. This is a well-known effect of magnesium, which is often used therapeutically as a laxative. Generally, if you adhere to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) ranges for magnesium, as previously outlined, the risk of these issues is low—especially if the supplement includes clear usage instructions on the label.
This is a good time to answer the question, “What is the best time to take magnesium supplements?” The answer is, if the purpose is for sleep, the directions on the label should indicate use before bedtime. Otherwise, magnesium can be used at most other times of the day.
Conclusion
Vitaquest is a CDMO that has provided supplement brands with exceptional supplement research and development, manufacturing, packaging design, powder and particle engineering services using fluid bed, oscillation, and roller compaction technologies, and fulfillment solutions for over 45 years. Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or aiming to diversify your product range, Vitaquest possesses the expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and solutions needed to swiftly and effectively turn your magnesium supplement concept into reality. Vitaquest offers a variety of dosage forms, including capsules, tablets, chewable tablets, oral disintegrating tablets (OTD), effervescent, and powders. Furthermore, you’ll receive an exceptional level of customer support.
Vitaquest also has expertise in domestic and international regulatory standards and sustainability practices. Sourcing sustainable ingredients and using eco-friendly manufacturing processes can enhance brand appeal. Our FDA cGMP compliance – as well as third-party GMP certification from NSF, USP, and others – assures both brand owners and consumers that we meet industry regulations and standards. Likewise, our ability to offer Kosher, Halal, and certified organic products, and FSSC 22000 Global Food Safety certification for food safety are relevant credentials for manufacturing excellence.
Are you ready to capitalize on the magnesium supplement trends? If so, call 800-526-9095 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a nutraceutical manufacturing price quote if you’ve already finalized your project requirements!
Frequently Asked Questions About Magnesium Supplements
Q: What is the best form of magnesium to take?
There is no “best form” of magnesium. They’re all good. It just depends upon the purpose for which the magnesium is being used. Different forms of magnesium are used to promote healthy blood pressure, premenstrual health, occasional leg cramps, bone health, cognitive health, etc.
Q: Is it okay to take magnesium every day?
Not only is it okay to take magnesium each day but it is also advisable. The daily value for magnesium is 420 mg for adults and children 4 or more years of age. Unfortunately, many Americans do not meet this goal. The use of a magnesium supplement will help people to do so.
Q: What is magnesium good for?
Magnesium plays a crucial role in human health and wellness. It is essential for energy production, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure control.
Q: Which magnesium is best for sleep and anxiety?
Most forms of magnesium offer benefits for these purposes. There have been studies on magnesium lactate and magnesium citrate effects on addressing common, everyday anxiety, as well as studies on magnesium oxide for sleep.
