[written by Lynnze Jean]
Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor, nor professional. This is information that I found for my own use and have shared in case it is of any help to you. I have included the sources of the information. Always see a Doctor before taking medications and supplements. If there is anyone who finds issues/misinformation in what is below, please feel free to comment/notify me.
Second Disclaimer: If you are a TLDR gal, I took the time to bold and italicize all the main points. For the rest of you readers, or those who want more information about a specific bold point, I included the rest. Sorry it’s so long, but better to be thorough.
SUPPLEMENTS
Most of my information came from Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden and cross-referenced, internet searches. It is also from a supplement specialist at the health food store in my local area.
The general idea:
Whole foods daily multis are supposed to be easier to digest,
are gentler on the stomach (some can take it on an empty stomach),
and have higher absorbancy/efficacy.
(The comparison to non whole-foods-multis has not been tested).
Because they are derived from whole foods (natural state of real food naturally filled with said nutrients) rather than extracted/produced/combined chemicals/nutrients, they are supposed to be more effective and more easily processed and absorbed by the body.
Your body basically says – hey! I know you! You’re from carrots! Nom Nom Nom Nom. Rather than – No idea what this is! Pass it off to waste management!
The “multi”(rather than once-a-day) spreads the dose out over the day and maximizes absorbencyrather than overloading your system once a day with all of it at once.
When looking at the list of ingredients, you want to see vitamins and minerals in certain forms. Lara Briden goes over this in detail. These forms are to maximize absorption and efficacy.
For instance:
Whole Earth and Sea Pure Foods Women’s multivitamin and mineral has:
Vitamin A, natural beta-carotene from algae, (dunaliella salina) (whole)
Vitamin C from organic amla (phyllanthus emblica) (fruit)
Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, lichen (whole)
Vitamin E, d-alpha-tocopherol from sunflower seed oil
Vitamin K2 in form menaquinone-7 (MK-7) from natto bean
Thiamin, benfotiamine (a lipid soluble form of B1)
Riboflavin, riboflavin-5′-phosphate
Niacin, inositol hexanicotinate
Vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate
Folate, folate form is what you want, and this one also has folic acid
Vitamin B12, methylcobalamin
Pantothenic Acid, pantethine
Calcium from organic algae, calcium ascorbate (mesophyllum superpositum) (whole)
Iron, ferrous biglycinate chelate (see Magnesium info below to define “chelate”)
Iodine from kelp (ascophyllum nodosum) (whole)
Magnesium (citrate, malate, succinate, glycinate, aspartate, ascorbate) (Please see Magnesium info below)
Zinc, picolinate
It contains NO artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners, (read: bullshit that takes away from nutritional value), starch, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, corn, (read: fillers) dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, animal products, salt, tree nuts, (read: allergy/vegan alert), or GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
Another example:
Vitamin Code Women Whole Food Multi with Live Probiotics and Enzymes
This one isn’t as specific about vitamin and mineral forms. But it also contains:
an enzyme blend (Thanks to Google, enzymes are: “biological molecules (proteins) that act as catalysts and help complex reactions occur everywhere in life” aka: good for your cells to do what they’re supposed to do).RAW antioxidants and immunity support
RAW organic fruit and veggies
mineral enzyme activators
mixed carotenoids (antioxidants in a very small nut shell) and tocopherols (vitamin E)
an enzyme blend (Thanks to Google, enzymes are: “biological molecules (proteins) that act as catalysts and help complex reactions occur everywhere in life” aka: good for your cells to do what they’re supposed to do).RAW antioxidants and immunity support
RAW organic fruit and veggies
mineral enzyme activators
mixed carotenoids (antioxidants in a very small nut shell) and tocopherols (vitamin E)
How much should you be paying for greatness such as exampled above?
Per the supplement specialist, he said,
“Get what’s on sale” and
“you should be paying about a dollar a day”
The above bottles are normally priced somewhere between $30+ and $50+. I went on a Wednesday (my health food store’s extra sales day) so I could receive an additional percentage off and chose whichever line of vitamins was on sale and paid no more than $30 a bottle (not including whatever the percentage off was). Per the supplement specialist, it is good to mix it up each month by buying a different brand (read: the one on sale) because then your body doesn’t become complacent. Same reason you don’t want to eat the same salad everyday all day. (Even though salads are healthy for you).
I’m also a huge fan of PRObiotics. Especially for you ladies who have food senstivites, irritable bowels, inflammatories, supressed immune systems, or have been or are on antibiotics. My Chinese Doctor prescribed “Jarrow Formulas Enhanced Probiotic System – Jarro-Dophilus EPS” for me during some past health issues. They are room temperature stable which is nice, and come in easy to swallow capsules. I take one or two every morning on an empty stomach while I’m getting ready for work (before breakfast). I personally stick with the cheapest kind (5 billion), because I take them regularly. When I took them when perscribed, I got the 25-50 billion kind.
MAGNESIUM
Before I get into my favorite supplement of all time, I want to say – I have been on Chinese herbs and multis before. I have maintained a healthy and balanced diet before. I drink lots of water. I exercise. But when I brought magnesium into my life – my world changed. For me, it truly is the “Miracle Mineral” Lara Briden says it is.
My “normal” was unfortunately very common. I had inexplicable fatigue. I was unmotivated. I swung from extremely high levels of happy (everything was awesome and beautiful and life was grand and I loved everyone) to extreme lows (my life was pointless and going nowhere and what was the point of living anyway and holy fuck!getthefuckawayfrommebeforeIbiteyourheadoff and tears….so. many. tears…)
I rode the roller coaster like a pro – boosted energy with caffeine and B vitamins, took advantage of highs for getting projects done, tapered highs with an occasional alcoholic drink, boosted energy during the lows with caffeine and B vitamins, and was extra patient with myself and purposefully avoided fights with DH. I welcomed Aunt Flow with open arms because I knew as soon as the cramps subsided, I would hit the happy phase. I am looking forward to working with one of the instructors on this page to further explore what may have caused these things and if they can be correlated to the times I craved soy milk and chocolate, etc.
I stumbled across a review on Amazon that I found extremely helpful in breaking down all the craziness that surrounds Magnesium. I know I know – a “review” on Amazon of all places – not the most legit place to be pulling information. But once you read below, you’ll find why I found it so helpful. It also lines up with all that Lara Briden says in her book. I could read all day long which forms were best, but when it came to understanding why and actually buying the product, I had no clue where to start. This gives you, as it did me, a great baseline to start with:
Here is a side-by-side comparison of ten leading magnesium supplements:
Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium,
Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count),
JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT (120 Count),
Nutrigold Magnesium Gold,
Now Foods Magnesium Citrate (200 mgs),
Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon,
Solgar Magnesium Citrate,
Life Extension Magnesium Caps,
Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate, and
Nature Made High Potency Magnesium.
INTRODUCTION Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Magnesium is present in all cells of the body. It is a mineral that is critical for energy production and metabolism, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and bone mineralization. It helps to regulate calcium transport and absorption. By stimulating the secretion of calcitonin, it aids the influx of calcium into bone and promotes optimal bone mineralization. It has been called nature’s calcium channel blocker. The idea refers to magnesium’s ability to block calcium from entering muscle and heart cells.
Magnesium is the second most prevalent electrolyte in the body, yet over two-thirds of us get less than the minimum recommended 400 mgs per day. Most of us get about half that much. Note that 400 mgs is just enough to keep us from feeling the major deficiency symptoms. Optimal health may require 600 to 1000 mgs per day.
Only 12% of Americans take magnesium supplements and multivitamins are almost never a good source. (Neither of the awesome, above-mentioned, multis are either).
Intensive farming and agricultural practices have depleted our soils of magnesium and many other minerals. This means that even if you eat an ideal diet rich in vegetables, tubers, fruits, nuts, and legumes, you may still be deficient in magnesium.
There is no easy or reliable way to measure your magnesium status since most of the magnesium in our bodies is tied up in bones and muscles. A blood test reveals very little.
About 60% of the body’s magnesium is in the bones. If there is a need, the body draws magnesium from bones, which means the bones need to be replenished.
Chronic magnesium deficiency has been associated with several conditions, such as:
* Diabetes – magnesium supplementation has been shown to reduce insulin requirement and improve glucose disposal in diabetic patients. Magnesium is often called “natural metformin.” People with diabetes excrete magnesium at a higher rate than others.
* Blood pressure – magnesium supplementation is associated with improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
* Heart disease – Magnesium deficiency may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis by its effects on lipid metabolism and platelet aggregation. Magnesium supplementation in people with high blood lipids has been shown to reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, and an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol.
* Anxiety – magnesium calms your nervous system by preventing excess cortisol. Low magnesium level is associated with hyperexcitation and random neuronal firing.
* Osteoporosis – see above.
* Insomnia – magnesium is often called the “original chill pill” because of its ability to modulate neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. Magnesium deficiency causes “neural excitation.”
* Asthma – magnesium concentration was 20% lower in asthmatics.
* ADHD – in a study of 116 children diagnosed with ADHD, 95% were deficient in magnesium. The relationship between magnesium and ADHD is still unclear.
* (I would like to also mention here that Lara Briden mentions extensively how essential magnesium is for proper endocrine function. See: http://www.larabriden.com/8-ways-that-magnesium-rescues-hormones/ ).
FORMS OF MAGNESIUM There are many forms of magnesium available as supplements. All magnesium is mined as minerals from the earth. However, the mineral is bonded or chelated to various organic or inorganic substances to increase absorption and bioavailability. Different forms of magnesium have varying levels of magnesium concentration.
Please read all bold words in the description section, below, of the forms before committing to a purchase.
* Organic forms: glycinate, bisglycinate, lysinate, citrate, malate, aspartate, gluconate, threonate, and lactate.
* Inorganic forms: oxide, sulfate, chloride, hydroxide, and carbonate.
Generally, the organic forms are much better absorbed and better tolerated by the gut because they increase the body’s ability to recognize and absorb the mineral. Inorganic forms are cheaper, not as well absorbed, and act as laxatives, but have higher magnesium concentration.
* Magnesium Oxide. This is the most common and cheapest form of magnesium. This form contains a very high level of elemental magnesium, so you can fit 100% of your daily value of magnesium (400 mgs) into one pill. However, there is evidence that very little of this form is absorbed and taking more than one or two pills can cause a laxative effect. Magnesium oxide is possibly the worst form of magnesium and is not recommended.
* Magnesium Citrate. This is the second most common form of magnesium. It is certainly better absorbed than magnesium oxide, but it can also cause a laxative effect if taken in higher doses. High levels can draw water into the bowels resulting in loose stools.
* Magnesium Glycinate and Bisglycinate. Glycinate has one glycine bound to magnesium while bisglycinate has two glycine molecules. These are probably the best forms, with bisglycinate providing more glycine for added absorption and additional relaxation and detoxification benefits. There is no laxative effect. The disadvantage here is that these forms have low magnesium concentration, requiring higher number of pills per day.
* Magnesium Lactate. Moderately well absorbed and has been shown to provide benefits for stress. Some people are allergic to it. This form needs more research.
* Magnesium Malate. Very well absorbed with no laxative effects. It has been shown to help people who suffer from fatigue. Helps balance stomach acid, as well.
* Magnesium Gluconate. Moderately well absorbed with little or no laxative effects.
* Magnesium Aspartate. Moderately well absorbed but aspartate is best avoided in high doses as excess aspartic acid can negatively affect nerves.
* Magnesium Threonate. Very well absorbed. This new form has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier to provide magnesium benefits to the brain. Other forms of magnesium may also provide the same benefits to the brain, but threonate is the only one with some proof. Needs more human clinical studies, which are in progress. This form has a very low magnesium concentration, so you will have to take many pills to get 100% of your daily value.
* Magnesium Lysinate. A well absorbed source of magnesium without laxative effects. The amino acid lysine is an excellent anti-viral.
MAGNESIUM RICH FOODS Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, nuts, seeds, unsweetened cocoa, dried seaweed, dried coriander, and dried basil. See also here.
BREAKDOWN Here is a breakdown of these supplements.
Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium (See, Advanced MAGNESIUM (by InnovixLabs). Highly Bioavailable Bisglycinate + Malate Formula,
150 Vegetarian Capsules. 200 mg Magnesium per serving.
*****Form: magnesium bisglycinate / magnesium malate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$15.99 for 150 100 mg capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two capsules, twice a day
Price per capsule: $.11 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.11 (using Amazon’s price)
No soy No GMOs No cholesterol No stearates Chelated Vegetarian Not enteric coated No laxative properties
Phone Number: (888) 799-7627
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium bisglycinate, magnesium malate, vegetarian capsule (plant cellulose), and medium chain triglycerides
Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count)
*****Form: magnesium glycinate lysinate
Not water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$14.38 for 240 100 mg tablets on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two tablets, twice a day
Price per tablet: $.06 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.06 (using Amazon’s price)
No soy No GMOs No cholesterol Contains stearates Chelated Vegetarian Not enteric coated No laxative properties
No ingredients sourced from China
Phone Number: (800) 333-6977
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium glycinate lysinate, microcyrstalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesim stearate (vegetable source), stearic acid, and modified cellulose (coating)
JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT (120 Count) (See, Jigsaw Magnesium w/SRT – Premium, Organic, Slow Release Magnesium Supplement – Active, Bioavailable Magnesium Malate Tablets With B-Vitamin Co-Factors, 120 tablets)
*****Form: magnesium malate
Not water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$22.95 for 120 125 mg tablets on Amazon
Recommended Serving: four tablets
Price per gel cap: $.19 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.15 (using Amazon’s price)
No soy No GMOs No cholesterol No stearates Chelated Vegetarian Time Release No laxative properties
No ingredients sourced from China
Phone Number: (866) 601-5800
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium malate, microcrystalline cellulose, modified cellulose, crosscarmellose sodium, silica, food glaze, micro wax, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, and malic acid
Nutrigold Magnesium Gold (See, Nutrigold Magnesium Gold 120 Vegetarian Capsules)
*****Form: magnesium malate / magnesium glycinate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$ N/A for 120 100 mg capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two capsules
Price per gel cap: $ N/A (using Amazon’s price
)Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $ N/A (using Amazon’s price)
No soy No GMOs No cholesterol No stearates Chelated Vegetarian Not enteric coated No laxative properties
No ingredients sourced from China
Phone Number: (800) 476-3542
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium malate, chelated magnesium glycinate, and vegetarian capsule (non-GMO plant cellulose)
Now Foods Magnesium Citrate (200 mgs) (See, Now Foods Magnesium Citrate 200mg, 250 Tablets)
****Form: magnesium citrate
Partially water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$17.74 for 250 200 mg tablets on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two tablets
Price per tablet: $.07 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.04 (using Amazon’s price)
No soy No GMOs No cholesterol Contains stearates Chelated Vegetarian Not enteric coated Possibly contains laxative properties
Phone Number: (888) 669-3663
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium citrate, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate (vegetable source), and vegetable coating
Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon (See, Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon 16oz)
*****Form: magnesium citrate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$24.57 for 100 350 mg servings on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two teaspoons
Price per serving: $.25 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per teaspoon: $.13 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.07 (using Amazon’s price)
No soyNo GMOsNo cholesterolNo stearatesNot chelatedVegetarianNot enteric coatedPossibly contains laxative properties
Phone Number: (866) 416-9216
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: ionic magnesium citrate, organic flavor, and organic stevia
Solgar Magnesium Citrate (See, Magnesium Citrate – 120 – Tablet)
**Form: magnesium citrate
Water soluble
Certified Kosher
$14.72 for 120 200 mg tablets on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two tablets
Price per tablet: $.12 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.06 (using Amazon’s price)
No soyNo GMOsNo cholesterolContains stearatesNot chelatedVegetarianNot enteric coatedContains laxative properties
Some Ingredients sourced from China (vegetable cellulose)
Phone Number: (201) 944-2311
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium citrate, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, and vegetable glycerin
Life Extension Magnesium Caps (See, Life Extension Magnesium 500 Mg Vegetarian Capsules, 100 Count)
****Form: magnesium oxide, magnesium aspartate, magnesium citrate, magnesium succinate, and magnesium amino acid chelate
Not water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Hala
l$8.99 for 100 500 mg capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: one capsule
Price per capsule: $.09 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.02 (using Amazon’s price)
No soyNo GMOsNo cholesterolNo stearatesChelatedVegetarianNot enteric coatedPossibly contains laxative properties
Phone number: (800) 226-2370
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium oxide, magnesium aspartate, magnesium citrate, magnesium succinate, and magnesium amino acid chelate
Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate (See, Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate (140 mg) 90 Capsules)
****Form: magnesium citrate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$12.45 for 90 140 mg gel caps on Amazon
Recommended Serving: one – three gel caps
Price per gel cap: $.14 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.10 (using Amazon’s price)
No soyNo GMOsNo cholesterolNo stearatesChelatedVegetarianNot enteric coatedPossibly contains laxative properties
Phone Number: (800) 228-1966
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium citrate, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, leucine, and silicon dioxide
Nature Made High Potency Magnesium (See, Nature Made High Potency Magnesium 400 mg – 150 Liquid Softgels)
**Form: magnesium oxide
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$13.49 for 150 400 mg gel caps on Amazon
$12.39 for 150 400 mg gel caps from Costco
Recommended Serving: one gel cap
Price per gel cap: $.09 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs magnesium: $.02 (using Amazon’s price)
Contains soy
No GMOsNo cholesterolNo stearatesNot chelatedNot vegetarianNot enteric coatedContains laxative properties
Phone Number: (800) 276-2878
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: magnesium oxide, medium chain triglycerides, gelatin, glycerin, water, soy lecithin, yellow beeswax, artificial colors (titanium dioxide, copper chlorophyllin), maltodextrin, and potassium hydroxide
PRICE PER PILL: JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT (120 Count) ($.19 per tablet) is the most expensive per pill of those in the comparison; followed by Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate ($.14 per gel cap); followed by Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon ($.13 per teaspoon); followed by Solgar Magnesium Citrate ($.12 per gel cap); followed by Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium ($.11 per capsule); followed by Life Extension Magnesium Caps ($.09 per capsule) and Nature Made High Potency Magnesium ($.09 per gel cap); followed by Now Foods Magnesium Citrate (200 mgs) ($.07 per tablet); and followed by Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count) ($.06 per tablet), which is the least expensive per pill of those in the comparison.
PRICE PER 100 MGS MAGNESIUM: JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT (120 Count) ($.15 per 100 mgs magnesium) is the most expensive per 100 mgs of magnesium of those in the comparison; followed by Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium ($.11 per 100 mgs magnesium); followed by Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate ($.10 per 100 mgs magnesium); followed by Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon ($.07 per 100 mgs magnesium); followed by Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count) ($.06 per 100 mgs magnesium) and Solgar Magnesium Citrate ($.06 per 100 mgs magnesium); and followed by Life Extension Magnesium Caps ($.02 per 100 mgs magnesium) and Nature Made High Potency Magnesium ($.02 per 100 mgs magnesium), which are the least expensive per 100 mgs of magnesium of those in the comparison.
SOY/GMO/CHOLESTEROL CONTENT: None of these products contain soy, GMOs, or cholesterol except Nature Made High Potency Magnesium, which contains soy.
STEARATES: Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count), Now Foods Magnesium Citrate (200 mgs), and Solgar Magnesium Citrate contain stearates. Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium, JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT 120 Count), Nutrigold Magnesium Gold, Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon, Life Extension Magnesium Caps, Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate, and Nature Made High Potency Magnesium do not contain stearates.
CERTIFIED KOSHER: Solgar Magnesium Citrate is the only product in this group that is certified Kosher. Look for the Kosher certification (called a “Hechsher”) on the label.
CHELATED: Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium, Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count), JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT (120 Count), Nutrigold Magnesium Gold, Now Foods Magnesium Citrate (200 mgs), Life Extension Magnesium Caps, and Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate are chelated. Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon, Solgar Magnesium Citrate, and Nature Made High Potency Magnesium are not chelated. A chelated form of magnesium tends to provide the highest levels of absorption and bioavailability.
ENTERIC COATING: None of these supplements are enteric coated. However, JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT offers a time release formula, called “SRT,” which stands for Sustained Release Technology. JigSaw claims that with SRT, instead of the magnesium being dumped into your system all at once, SRT slows down the release of magnesium so it’s spread out over 8 hours, which allows your body to absorb what it needs. SRT is an excellent feature and only JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT has it.
MEALS: Magnesium may be consumed with or without meals. Taking it with meals does not increase absorption, but if you are taking magnesium forms with a laxative effect (like magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate), taking them with a meal may help alleviate some discomfort.
OPINION: In my opinion, all of these magnesium supplements are good, with the exception of those made in whole or in part of magnesium oxide, which I rate poorly. I would also go with a chelated magnesium glycinate or magnesium malate product that does not contain stearates.
Based upon my analysis, in my opinion, Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium, Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count), JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT, and Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon are the best performers in the comparison. However, JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT is not only expensive, but its price fluctuates greatly from day to day. I’m not impressed with its price instability.
RATING:
I rated Innovix Labs Advanced Magnesium, Doctor’s Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium (240 Count), JigSaw Magnesium w/SRT (120 Count), Nutrigold Magnesium Gold, Natural Vitality Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon, and Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate five stars.
I rated Now Foods Magnesium Citrate (200 mgs) four stars because it is magnesium citrate and it contains stearates.
I rated Solgar Magnesium Citrate two stars because it is magnesium citrate, it is not chelated, it contains stearates, and some of its ingredients are sourced from China (vegetable cellulose).
I rated Life Extension Magnesium Caps four stars because it is partly magnesium oxide.
I rated Thorne Research Magnesium Citrate four stars because it is magnesium citrate and it possibly contains laxative properties.
I rated Nature Made High Potency Magnesium two stars because it is magnesium oxide, it is not chelated, and it contains soy.
I have separately reviewed all of these products.
Prices current as of 06/21/2015.
Other good brand not mentioned above in the Amazon comparison:
KAL magnesium glycinate.
Also be sure to be familiar with magnesium toxicity so that in case any of these symptoms occur, you can stop taking magnesium immediately until cause is confirmed by your doctor.