Magnesium is one of those nutrients that quietly does a bit of everything — and one many diets fall short of. The confusing part is the label: citrate, chloride, sulfate, malate. Here is what those words mean.
Why magnesium matters
Magnesium is the second most abundant mineral inside your cells and a cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions: energy production, muscle contraction and relaxation, nerve signaling and protein synthesis among them.* Leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains are the best food sources.
The forms, in plain language
Magnesium is always bound to something else. That partner changes how much magnesium the compound carries, how it behaves in the gut and where it is used.
- Magnesium citrate — bound to citric acid; one of the most common forms in dietary supplements. It is the form in our Nano Liposomal Magnesium Complex.
- Magnesium chloride — used in professional IV formulas such as the Myers' Cocktail. See Magnesium Chloride 300 mg/mL (professional use).
- Magnesium sulfate — Epsom salt in the bath; in medicine, a parenteral form used by professionals.
- Magnesium malate — bound to malic acid; it appears in the NAD+ Renew cocktail.
Taking magnesium at home
- Many people prefer it in the evening as part of a wind-down routine.*
- Loose stools are the most common sign of too much: reduce the serving.
- If you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor before taking magnesium.
Magnesium and selenium
Our Magnesium Complex is fortified with selenium and trace minerals, and Selenium Plus pairs selenium with magnesium the other way around. Both contain both minerals, so choose one rather than stacking them.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Injectable products are for professional use under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider.