Magnesium has been hugely popular for years, and we regularly get asked which forms exist and which forms are better absorbed—so below we explain how it works.
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There are many different forms of magnesium, such as magnesium citrate, taurate and bisglycinate. Start the selection guide and discover which form best suits your goals.
Different forms of magnesium
When we look at magnesium in supplement form, there are various types available. But what exactly is the difference? The main difference lies in the substance it is bound to. This can be an organic or an inorganic substance.
The main difference lies in the substance it is bound to.
Organic forms of magnesium
Organically bound magnesium supplements (i.e. bound to a substance produced in nature by an organism (=life)), such as magnesium citrate, magnesium picolinate, magnesium taurate and magnesium bisglycinate, often contain relatively less magnesium, but are more bioavailable than an inorganic compound. Organic compounds are broken down more slowly. This increases the stability of the mineral, meaning it reacts less with its surroundings, is absorbed better in the intestines, and is more effective in the body.
- aspartate
- argininate
- ascorbate
- citrate
- bisglycinate
- gluconate
- lactate
- picolinate
- taurate
- amino acid–chelated magnesium
Inorganic magnesium compounds
Magnesium supplements often contain inorganic compounds (i.e. substances that are not produced in nature by living organisms) because they are easier and cheaper to produce. Inorganic supplements, such as magnesium oxide or magnesium carbonate, often contain more (elemental) magnesium per unit of weight, but this is absorbed less well by the body.
- sulphate
- chloride
- phosphate
- carbonate
- oxide
Read here all about why magnesium is so important for the body, and click here for our range of magnesium products.
Author: Sanne van der Rijt
