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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

Zinc citrate

mineral compoundNot medically reviewed
Parent supplement
Zinc
Direct source
Zinc
Source revision
January 6, 2026
Open ingredient record

Canonical ingredient

Magnesium oxide

mineral compoundNot medically reviewed
Parent supplement
Magnesium
Direct source
Magnesium
Source revision
January 6, 2026
Open ingredient record
Inspect structural observations
  • The selected ingredients have different parent supplement relationships. This is an identity distinction, not a clinical ranking.
  • 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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateDirect evidence available

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned
Evidence source
NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references
5 identified
Human evidence
Human evidence identified
Randomized trials
Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses
Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency
1986–2014
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 determined5
Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

  1. Wegmuller R, Tay F, Zeder C, Brnic M, Hurrell RF. Zinc absorption by young adults from supplemental zinc citrate is comparable with that from zinc gluconate and higher than from zinc oxide. J Nutr 2014;144:132-6. [PubMed abstract]

    Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed

  2. Solomons NW. Competitive interaction of iron and zinc in the diet: consequences for human nutrition. J Nutr 1986;116:927-35. [PubMed abstract]

    Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed

  3. Whittaker P. Iron and zinc interactions in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:442s-6s. [PubMed abstract]

    Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed

  4. European Food Safety Authority. Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for zinc. 2014.

    Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

  5. Arredondo M, Martínez R, Núñez MT, Ruz M, Olivares M. Inhibition of iron and copper uptake by iron, copper and zinc. Biol Res 2006;39:95-102. [PubMed abstract]

    Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Read source wording for Zinc citrate

Absorption of zinc from supplements that contain zinc citrate or zinc gluconate is similar, at approximately 61% in young adults; the absorption from supplements that contain zinc oxide is 50% [15]. Taking supplements containing 25 mg elemental iron or more at the same time as zinc supplements can reduce zinc absorption and plasma zinc concentrations [16-19]. However, the iron added to enriched or fortified foods does not significantly interfere with zinc absorption because the chemical form of iron used in fortification is typically poorly soluble in the gut and does not compete strongly with zinc for absorpion.

Where did MEDucated get this?

Zinc

Publisher
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision
January 6, 2026
Source fingerprint
e2f6aba81491596341956f3feef8ef8fbf86c5d47bd9573d1df5ad20dd791ffe
Source blocks
ingredient-block:zinc-citrate:ods-block:zinc-health-professional:dietary-supplements:3
Inspect the official source (opens in a new tab)

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Magnesium oxideDirect evidence available

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned
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

  1. 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 assessed

  2. Rude 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 assessed

  3. Ranade 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 assessed

  4. Firoz 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 assessed

  5. Mühlbauer 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 assessed

  6. Lindberg 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 assessed

  7. Walker 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 assessed

  8. Spencer 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
Inspect the official source (opens in a new tab)

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Intake and dose reference information

unavailable for both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

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 both
Zinc citrateEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.

Magnesium oxideEvidence unavailable

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

No direct source block is attached to this ingredient topic.