Magnesium forms compared
Factual, non-medical comparison of common magnesium supplement forms. Each form has a different elemental magnesium fraction: the percentage of actual magnesium your body can absorb from the compound. Prices below are ranked by EUR per 100mg elemental, which accounts for these differences automatically.
What you should know about magnesium forms
Magnesium is always sold as a compound (bound to another molecule), never as pure elemental metal. The fraction of elemental magnesium in each compound varies:
| Form | Compound | Elemental Mg fraction | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxide | MgO | ~60% | Highest weight fraction; often cheapest per gram of elemental but may have lower bioavailability. |
| Citrate | Mg(C₆H₆O₇) | ~16% | Common, decent solubility. Mid-range price per effective dose. |
| Bisglycinate | Mg(C₂H₄NO₂)₂ | ~18% | Amino acid chelate. Often positioned as a premium form. |
| Glycinate | Mg(C₂H₄NO₂)₂ | ~14% | Similar to bisglycinate. Lower elemental fraction. |
| Malate | Mg(C₄H₄O₅) | ~15% | Malic acid salt. Mid-range fraction. |
DosePrice does not provide medical advice. The rankings reflect price per effective dose only. Which form is right for you depends on your individual needs and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
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