Canonical ingredient
Magnesium citrate
mineral compoundNot medically reviewed
- Parent supplement
- Magnesium
- Direct source
- Magnesium
- Source revision
- January 6, 2026
Ingredient evidence comparison · non-production preview
Compare ingredient evidence without rankings.
See what each frozen source explicitly supports, where evidence differs, and which questions remain unavailable.
Selected concepts
Two independent ingredient records
Canonical ingredient
Magnesium oxide
mineral compoundNot medically reviewed
- Parent supplement
- Magnesium
- Direct source
- Magnesium
- Source revision
- January 6, 2026
Inspect structural observations
- Direct evidence for “Identity and what it is” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Common uses” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Biological role” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “What evidence has studied” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Potential benefits studied” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Safety considerations” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Side effects” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Medication interactions” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Supplement interactions” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Food interactions” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Intake and dose reference information” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Populations needing caution” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Pregnancy and lactation” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Laboratory and test considerations” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Regulatory status” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
- Direct evidence for “Evidence limitations” is unavailable for both selected ingredients.
Aligned evidence topics
Availability stays specific to each ingredient
Identity and what it is
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Common uses
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Biological role
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
What evidence has studied
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Potential benefits studied
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Safety considerations
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Side effects
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Medication interactions
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Supplement interactions
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Food interactions
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Forms and chemical variants
available for bothThe source explicitly discusses both selected forms in 3 shared source blocks.
A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.
Structural characterization
Evidence profile
- Evidence source
- NIH ODS evidence synthesis
- Linked references
- 8 identified
- Human evidence
- Human evidence identified
- Randomized trials
- Randomized trial identified
- Reviews and meta-analyses
- Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
- Evidence recency
- 1990–2012
- Source-described consistency
- Not characterized in these source blocks
- MEDucated evidence rating
- Not assigned
Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.
Inspect technical evidence details
Evidence types identified
- Study type could not be determined6
- Pharmacokinetic study1
- Randomized controlled trial1
Source-described limitations
- ODS describes a small study base
The absorption of magnesium from different kinds of magnesium supplements varies. Forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than less soluble forms [2,12]. Small studies have found that magnesium in the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is absorbed more completely and is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate [12-16]. One study found that very high doses of zinc from supplements (142 mg/day) can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body [17].
Classified references
Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:527-37.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedRude RK. Magnesium. In: Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed. Baltimore, Mass: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012:159-75.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedRanade VV, Somberg JC. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of magnesium after administration of magnesium salts to humans. Am J Ther 2001;8:345-57. [PubMed abstract]
Pharmacokinetic study · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessedFiroz M, Graber M. Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations. Magnes Res 2001;14:257-62. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedMühlbauer B, Schwenk M, Coram WM, Antonin KH, Etienne P, Bieck PR, Douglas FL. Magnesium-L-aspartate-HCl and magnesium-oxide: bioavailability in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1991;40:437-8. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessedLindberg JS, Zobitz MM, Poindexter JR, Pak CY. Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide. J Am Coll Nutr 1990;9:48-55. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedWalker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M. Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomized, double-blind study. Mag Res 2003;16:183-91. [PubMed abstract]
Randomized controlled trial · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedSpencer H, Norris C, Williams D. Inhibitory effects of zinc on magnesium balance and magnesium absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:479-84. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Read source wording for Magnesium citrate
Supplements can contain a variety of different forms of magnesium, and the absorption of these forms varies. In general, forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid have higher absorption than other forms, and the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms of magnesium tend to have higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate.
Magnesium supplements are available in a variety of forms, including magnesium oxide, citrate, and chloride [2,3]. The Supplement Facts panel on a dietary supplement label declares the amount of elemental magnesium in the product, not the weight of the entire magnesium-containing compound.
The absorption of magnesium from different kinds of magnesium supplements varies. Forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than less soluble forms [2,12]. Small studies have found that magnesium in the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is absorbed more completely and is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate [12-16]. One study found that very high doses of zinc from supplements (142 mg/day) can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body [17].
Where did MEDucated get this?
Magnesium
- Publisher
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
- Revision
- January 6, 2026
- Source fingerprint
- 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
- Source blocks
- ingredient-block:magnesium-citrate:ods-block:magnesium-health-professional:dietary-supplements:1, ingredient-block:magnesium-citrate:ods-block:magnesium-health-professional:dietary-supplements:2, ingredient-block:magnesium-citrate:ods-block:magnesium-health-professional:dietary-supplements:3
Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.
A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.
Structural characterization
Evidence profile
- Evidence source
- NIH ODS evidence synthesis
- Linked references
- 8 identified
- Human evidence
- Human evidence identified
- Randomized trials
- Randomized trial identified
- Reviews and meta-analyses
- Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
- Evidence recency
- 1990–2012
- Source-described consistency
- Not characterized in these source blocks
- MEDucated evidence rating
- Not assigned
Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.
Inspect technical evidence details
Evidence types identified
- Study type could not be determined6
- Pharmacokinetic study1
- Randomized controlled trial1
Source-described limitations
- ODS describes a small study base
The absorption of magnesium from different kinds of magnesium supplements varies. Forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than less soluble forms [2,12]. Small studies have found that magnesium in the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is absorbed more completely and is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate [12-16]. One study found that very high doses of zinc from supplements (142 mg/day) can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body [17].
Classified references
Rude RK. Magnesium. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:527-37.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedRude RK. Magnesium. In: Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed. Baltimore, Mass: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012:159-75.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedRanade VV, Somberg JC. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of magnesium after administration of magnesium salts to humans. Am J Ther 2001;8:345-57. [PubMed abstract]
Pharmacokinetic study · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessedFiroz M, Graber M. Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations. Magnes Res 2001;14:257-62. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedMühlbauer B, Schwenk M, Coram WM, Antonin KH, Etienne P, Bieck PR, Douglas FL. Magnesium-L-aspartate-HCl and magnesium-oxide: bioavailability in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1991;40:437-8. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessedLindberg JS, Zobitz MM, Poindexter JR, Pak CY. Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide. J Am Coll Nutr 1990;9:48-55. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedWalker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M. Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomized, double-blind study. Mag Res 2003;16:183-91. [PubMed abstract]
Randomized controlled trial · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessedSpencer H, Norris C, Williams D. Inhibitory effects of zinc on magnesium balance and magnesium absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:479-84. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Read source wording for Magnesium oxide
Supplements can contain a variety of different forms of magnesium, and the absorption of these forms varies. In general, forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid have higher absorption than other forms, and the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms of magnesium tend to have higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate.
Magnesium supplements are available in a variety of forms, including magnesium oxide, citrate, and chloride [2,3]. The Supplement Facts panel on a dietary supplement label declares the amount of elemental magnesium in the product, not the weight of the entire magnesium-containing compound.
The absorption of magnesium from different kinds of magnesium supplements varies. Forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than less soluble forms [2,12]. Small studies have found that magnesium in the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is absorbed more completely and is more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate [12-16]. One study found that very high doses of zinc from supplements (142 mg/day) can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body [17].
Where did MEDucated get this?
Magnesium
- Publisher
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
- Revision
- January 6, 2026
- Source fingerprint
- 0f84702092574ff8a3b3fe01ab3a977c6a76d37e18b758e3e94b6d3ca55c3d59
- Source blocks
- ingredient-block:magnesium-oxide:ods-block:magnesium-health-professional:dietary-supplements:1, ingredient-block:magnesium-oxide:ods-block:magnesium-health-professional:dietary-supplements:2, ingredient-block:magnesium-oxide:ods-block:magnesium-health-professional:dietary-supplements:3
Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.
Intake and dose reference information
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Populations needing caution
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Pregnancy and lactation
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Laboratory and test considerations
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Regulatory status
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Evidence limitations
unavailable for bothDirect source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.
Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.
No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.