Magnesium is a critical mineral for your health. In fact, of all the minerals in your body, it’s the 4th most common! Sadly, magnesium is often overlooked because it’s not part of routine blood tests, which makes magnesium deficiency pretty common.
Magnesium is important for many healthy body functions:
- activating muscles and nerves
- creating energy in your blood
- helping digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats
- serving as a building block for RNA and DNA synthesis
So how do different types of magnesium supplements work, and how do you choose the best one for you?
Magnesium Citrate
This combination includes citric acid, which has mild laxative properties. Citric acid can cause heartburn for those prone to the condition.
Magnesium Chloride or Magnesium Lactate
Both of these forms contain only about 12% magnesium, but it is more easily absorbed than other forms of magnesium.
Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium glycinate is easiest for your body to use because it absorbs this form most easily. Magnesium glycinate is commonly recommended for people trying to correct a magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium Hydroxide
You probably know this better as the popular laxative, Milk of Magnesia. Take only as directed as it easy to overdose on this type.
Magnesium Malate
This form of magnesium is often used for patients who suffer from fatigue or fibromyalgia.
Magnesium Oxide
The magnesium in magnesium oxide isn’t easy for the body to use. Because of this, magnesium oxide is used more for its laxative properties than for magnesium supplementation.
Magnesium Sulfate aka Epsom Salts
Warning: Please do not ingest, consume, or eat Epsom salts. These are not ingestible!
However, they are a great source of magnesium when used as an additive to a bath to soak in because magnesium is absorbed through the skin. It also has a soothing effect on sore muscles and feet.
Magnesium Taurate
Taurine is an amino acid. When combined with magnesium, the two can have a calming effect on both mind and body. This form is promoted for improving immune function and protecting the heart.
Magnesium Threonate
This is the newest form of magnesium and it’s still emerging in the marketplace. It appears to absorb more easily than the others and is used for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders.