Magnesium - Forms

Introduction

This section lists the various forms of supplemental (and non-supplemental) Magnesium.

 Extracellular Magnesium is Magnesium present outside of Cells.  Approximately 1% of the body’s Magnesium is extracellular.

 Intracellular Magnesium is Magnesium present within Cells.  Approximately 99% of Magnesium is intracellular.  Approximately 10% to 15% of intracellular Magnesium is in its free, active form.

 Magnesium Acetate is comprised of 11.2% Magnesium bound to Acetic Acid (Acetate).  It is used as a Food Additive in non-alcoholic beverages.

 Magnesium Arginate is comprised of Magnesium bound to Arginine.

 Magnesium Aspartate is comprised of 7.5% - 20% Magnesium bound to Aspartic Acid (Aspartate).  It is used as a nutritional supplement because its absorption is excellent. Magnesium aspartate may be effective for preventing and reversing hearing damage.

 Magnesium Bicarbonate (Magnesium Hydrogencarbonate;  Mg(HCO3)2).  This form of Magnesium produces “hardness” in Water.

 Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3) is comprised of 40% - 42% Magnesium bound to Carbon.  This form of Magnesium is present in Dolomite, however its absorption rate is poor (23% of Magnesium Carbonate is absorbed).

 Magnesium Chelate is a general term for all forms of Magnesium where Magnesium is bound to (usually) an Amino Acid.  The absorption of chelated forms of Magnesium is excellent.  The preferred Amino Acids for chelation with Magnesium are Aspartic Acid or Glycine.  Most chelated forms of Magnesium comprise 10 - 20% Magnesium bound to 80 - 90% of an Amino Acid.