7 Things Most Adults Over 40 Don't Know About Magnesium
It's involved in hundreds of processes in your body, plenty of diets come up short, and most bottles don't make the important number obvious. Here's what to know before you buy another one.
Magnesium has quietly become one of the most talked-about supplements around. Walk into any pharmacy and you'll find a whole shelf of it: oxide, citrate, glycinate, "complexes" and blends.
But most people buying it couldn't tell you the difference, or which number on the label actually matters.
So we put together the seven things worth knowing before you buy another bottle.
1.Magnesium Isn't Just a "Sleep Mineral."
People mostly talk about it at bedtime. But magnesium is far more basic than any trend: it's an essential mineral your body can't make on its own. You have to get it from food or supplements.
The takeawayIt's not a trend ingredient. It's an essential mineral.
2.Your Body Uses It in More Than 300 Processes.
According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems, including ones involved in muscle and nerve function and energy production.
The takeawayMagnesium is involved in a lot of everyday processes. That's why people pay attention to getting enough.
3.Plenty of Diets Come Up Short.
The NIH notes that dietary surveys consistently show many people in the U.S. consume less magnesium than recommended.
Leafy greens, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains are good sources. They're also the foods a lot of us eat least.
The takeawayFood first. But if your plate is light on greens, nuts and beans, it's worth paying attention.
4.Not Every Form of Magnesium Is the Same.
Magnesium on a label is always attached to something else: oxide, citrate, glycinate and more. That partner changes how much the compound weighs and how the product is made.
Magnesium glycinate is magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine, and it's a popular choice for an everyday magnesium supplement.
The takeawayThe form is part of the product. Check which one you're buying.
5.Oxide and Glycinate Aren't Interchangeable.
Magnesium oxide is common and inexpensive, and it packs a lot of magnesium into a small amount of compound. Glycinate is a larger compound, so a bottle needs more of it to deliver the same amount of magnesium.
That's why the numbers on two different bottles can look so different.
| Magnesium oxide | Magnesium glycinate | |
|---|---|---|
| Bound to | Oxygen | The amino acid glycine |
| Compound needed for the same magnesium | Less | More |
| Typical price | Lower | Higher |
6.The Elemental Amount Is the Number That Matters.
Here's the one that surprises people. A label might say "2,500 mg magnesium glycinate." That's the weight of the whole compound.
The amount of magnesium itself, called elemental magnesium, is smaller, and it's the number the % Daily Value is based on. Some bottles put the big compound number on the front and the elemental amount in small print.
The takeawayLook for the elemental magnesium amount and the %DV. That's the real comparison.
Earth Energy Magnesium Glycinate
- 275 mg elemental magnesium (65% DV)
- From 2,500 mg magnesium glycinate
- 3 capsules, once a day
- One-time purchase, no subscription
7.What We'd Look For on a Magnesium Label.
- The form named clearly: glycinate, citrate or oxide
- Both numbers: the compound and the elemental magnesium
- The % Daily Value
- Simple directions
- No blend hiding the amounts
That's exactly how Earth Energy Magnesium Glycinate is labeled: 2,500 mg magnesium glycinate providing 275 mg elemental magnesium (65% DV) in 3 capsules, once a day.
The takeawayA good label answers your questions before you have to ask them.
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Questions readers ask
How do I take it?
Adults take 3 capsules once daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional.
Why two magnesium numbers?
Both are true and mean different things. 2,500 mg is the magnesium glycinate compound. 275 mg is the magnesium itself, which the Daily Value is based on.
Why three capsules?
That's the serving size on the label: three capsules for 275 mg of magnesium.
Is this a subscription?
No. Everything in this offer is a one-time purchase. You're only charged again if you place another order.
What if it's not for me?
Contact us within 30 days of delivery and we'll refund your order according to our refund policy.
Can I take it with medications?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a medical condition.
This page is an advertisement for Earth Energy Magnesium Glycinate. Magnesium facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Magnesium Fact Sheet. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.