Abstract Summary:

• The study was focused on identifying which magnesium (Mg) compounds are best for supplementation, given that suboptimal Mg intake is linked to various disorders. It investigated the premise that organic Mg compounds, like magnesium citrate, might have superior bioavailability to inorganic ones like magnesium oxide.

Methods:

• Conducted as a single-center, randomized, open, cross-over study, it involved 20 healthy male subjects. The study aimed to compare the bioavailability of magnesium citrate (an organic compound) and magnesium oxide (an inorganic compound). Subjects' magnesium pools were saturated before administration of each supplement. The primary measurement was the quantity of magnesium excreted over 24 hours after a single dose. Magnesium concentrations in leukocytes, erythrocytes, and serum were also assessed.

Results:

• The results showed that magnesium citrate had a higher 24-hour urinary excretion (A e 0-24h) than magnesium oxide, with a statistically significant mean difference. Serum magnesium levels were also significantly higher for magnesium citrate at various post-administration time points, although no significant difference was found in intracellular magnesium contents.

Conclusions:

• The study confirmed magnesium citrate has a higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide. This suggests that magnesium citrate, like other organic magnesium compounds, might be more suitable for optimizing dietary magnesium intake.

Link to study: Higher bioavailability of magnesium citrate compared to magnesium oxide.