Magnesium citrate
Magnesium bound to citric acid, easy to dissolve and mildly laxative at higher doses.
What the research shows
Mixed or small evidence. The effect is uncertain.
Walker (2003) compared citrate with oxide and an amino acid chelate and measured the highest magnesium levels after sixty days in the citrate group. Werner (2019) measured urinary excretion and also found better absorption than with oxide, although the first author works for a commercial research agency. Schuchardt (2017) puts those differences in context: uptake depends mostly on magnesium status and dose.
Who it makes sense for: People with a low magnesium intake who want a well-absorbed form and accept a mild laxative effect.
How we weigh evidenceClinical dosage
Scientific sources
The clinical dosages on this page are based on peer-reviewed research.
- Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study.Walker AF et al. (2003)
- Assessment of bioavailability of Mg from Mg citrate and Mg oxide by measuring urinary excretion in Mg-saturated subjects.Werner T et al. (2019)Funded by: Eerste auteur is verbonden aan NuOmix Research, een commercieel onderzoeksbureau in voedingsingredienten.
- Intestinal Absorption and Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Magnesium-An Update.Schuchardt JP et al. (2017)
We keep the dosages and values on this page as accurate as possible based on selected studies. New research may change these values. Nothing on this page is medical advice. If you have any doubts, always consult a doctor.