There are benefits to taking the best magnesium supplement. Our bodies need magnesium in order to function, with most of it found in the muscles and bones.

Most of our magnesium would come from food. Dark chocolate is a magnesium rich food. Almost half of the US population consumes less magnesium than is needed. According to a review published in the Nutrients journal, low levels of magnesium have been associated with a number of chronic diseases.

Men and women should be consuming the same amount of magnesium. The recommended daily allowance for men and women is 400 and 320, respectively.

You can get enough magnesium with the best magnesium supplement. Magnesium has been associated with improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and reduced symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

It's difficult to know which magnesium supplement is right for you. One of the most bio available forms is magnesium citrate, which is easy to absorb by the body. If you have a sensitive stomach, magnesium malate might be better for you. While magnesium oxide can be used to treat a deficiency, it can also be used to treat other problems.

We have put together advice on different types of magnesium to help you make an informed decision. We've rounded up the best magnesium supplements you can buy right now, with options to suit a range of health goals and budgets.

Expert

Sophie Medlin registered dietitian

The best magnesium supplement

Pure Encapsulations Magnesium (citrate)

(Image credit: Future)

Pure Encapsulations strives to be of the highest-quality and has collaborated with medical professionals and nutrition experts. The magnesium capsule is in a white plastic container.

Users say what they want.

Pure Encapsulations Magnesium has a five star rating on Amazon. Users seem to like the fact that the product is vegan and only contains magnesium. One person said that it was easy to swallow with no flavor and absorbed well.

There is a highly bio available form of magnesium citrate in each capsule. They are suitable for vegetarians and vegan. The coating on the capsule makes them easy to swallow. They were tasteless as well.

The 90 and 180 capsule units should last you three and six months, respectively. Depending on how much you take, you might need to replenish your supply sooner.

Nature's Bounty magnesium oxide supplement

(Image credit: Future)

Nature's Bounty has been making supplements for many years. It only uses ingredients that meet its quality standards. There is a green plastic bottle with gold and white accents.

The user says what they want.

The product has a rating of over 60,000 on Amazon. Despite the fact that the tablets are coated, a few users find them difficult to swallow. Since using them, the majority of users report a difference in their sleep quality.

One tablet contains 500 magnesium, which is 111% of your daily value. One unit has 100 tablets and is an affordable option. magnesium oxide is less bio available than other forms of magnesium, so it may be less well absorbed by the body.

Nature's Bounty is a firm believer in quality. It says that its facilities have been audited by the United States Pharmacopeia and STR. The magnesium tablets are free of artificial flavors and sweeteners.

Throne magnesium bisglycinate supplement

(Image credit: Amazon)

The company suggests that you mix one scoop with 8 ounces of water a day. You can mix it with other things.

Users say what they want.

The supplement got a 4.5 star rating on Amazon. The new packaging makes it easy to get the powder. Some reviewers think the flavor is too sweet for them, while others think it is nice.

If you don't exceed the recommended dose, one container should last 60 serving. Half of your daily value can be found in one scoop of magnesium. The decrease in the laxative effect compared to other magnesium formulas has been claimed by Thorne.

Glycine reduces stress in the body. According to Thorne, its product is a good choice for pre-bedtime supplements.

This product is sweetened with fruit concentrate. Some users think this is a good addition to hot beverages, but others think it's a bad idea. The shorter tub makes it easier to scoop the powder out compared to the previous one.

It's certified for sport, dairy-free, and soy-free by the National Sanitation Foundation.

Vital Nutrients magnesium supplement

(Image credit: Future)

A group of physicians believed they could improve the health of more people by creating a new line of nutritional supplements with clean science andholistic solutions. Independent labs use scientifically valid methods and ethical practices to test ingredients and products.

Users say what they want.

Vital Nutrients has a magnesium glycinate/malate that has been reviewed very favorably by users. There is a good form of magnesium. There are quality ingredients. It's a little pricey. I have used several brands of magnesium but this one is the best. It helps me sleep better.

magnesium glycinate/malate is a form of magnesium that is more gentle on the stomach. In this formula, magnesium is bound to glycine, a non-essential amino acid that functions as a calming neurotransmitter, and malic acid, a natural fruit acid present in most cells in the body.

50% of magnesium is glycinate and 50% is dimagnesium malate in two pills. They are not small, but they are not hard to swallow because they are coated. They are suitable for both vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. They are not made with artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

Around 50 days is how long the 100 capsule unit will last. This is a good mid-range product.

Now Foods liquid magnesium

(Image credit: Future)

Since 1968, Now Foods has provided superior quality at value prices. All of its products are certified by the USDA.

Users say what they want.

The product scored 4.5 stars on iHerb. There is a need to be taken with drink or food to hide the salty taste. It's really good for relaxing the mind and body. Users seem to agree that it's very good value. Good quality and a trustworthy brand are what it is. It works well with a glass of juice or water.

The amount of magnesium in Now's liquid magnesium is 32% of your daily value. This is a really good value product, as it provides 178 serving, which is less than the price. The mineral concentrate is derived from the Great Salt Lake. This preserves 72 naturally occurring trace minerals.

The product has a very strong taste. It's a good idea to mix this with juice or food to mask the mineral flavor.

How to choose the best magnesium supplement

The type of magnesium used in the product is one of the most important things to consider when selecting a magnesium supplement. There are several different forms of magnesium and each one has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Some forms of magnesium such as magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate can be used as a laxative. If the intended use is not constipation relief, they may cause unwanted side effects. There is more research that needs to be done, but they have been linked to improved sleep quality.

woman sat on her couch taking a magnesium supplement

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There are some types of magnesium.

  • Magnesium citrate: This is highly bioavailable and one of the most popular forms.
  • Magnesium glycinate: Also highly bioavailable, research (opens in new tab) indicates that this form is good for people with sensitive stomachs, as it tends not to cause tummy upset. 
  • Magnesium sulfate: You might know this better as Epsom salts, which are often added to baths or foot soaks to soothe aching muscles.  
  • Magnesium malate: This form is very good for sensitive tummies. One study (opens in new tab) found that people supplementing with a combination of magnesium malate and several vitamins had very few gastrointestinal issues.  
  • Magnesium chloride: This is often found in skin care products or topical supplements. However, research (opens in new tab) is currently unclear as to how the bioavailability of topically applied magnesium compares to oral therapy. 
  • Magnesium oxide: This type is generally less bioavailable, so isn’t used to reverse a deficiency. It is more commonly used to treat digestive issues and heartburn.  

Pick a form that matches the reason you are taking it. Glycinate and malate will work better if you find supplements that upset your stomach.

Medlin recommends a magnesium complex which covers multiple forms of magnesium.

The magnesium supplements in this guide have been approved by at least one of the bodies in this guide.

woman holding a magnesium supplement in the palm of her hand

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It is advised that you don't exceed more than 400 magnesium per day as you may experience symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain. On top of a balanced diet, it's a good idea to supplement with 200MG of water.

If you're taking magnesium to treat a deficiency, it's a good idea to get a dose of 250 to 600 grams per day. If you are not treating a deficiency, limit your intake to no more than 350 grams of supplements per day.

If you're prescribed antibiotics, Medlin says you should always check with your doctor if you take magnesium supplements. It's possible to get nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea from high levels of magnesium.

If you have been diagnosed with a deficiency, it's a good idea to consult your doctor before introducing a new supplement.

There is a form.

The best magnesium supplements can be found in a variety of forms. Those who can't swallow non-chewable tablets can use liquid and powder. Liquid form makes it easier to modify or control your dose.

There are other ingredients.

Magnesium can be found in other supplements. This will usually be in lower amounts. It is better to take magnesium individually at higher levels than it is to combine it with calcium.

A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that high levels of zinc in supplements can interfere with magnesium absorption. If you are taking multiple supplements at the same time, it's a good idea to consider when you are taking them.

How do we test magnesium supplements at Live Science?

Live Science tested all of the supplements in this guide. We review our products based on what they contain and what you need to know before you take them. We focus on certain areas.

What ingredients are in a magnesium supplement? If you get enough magnesium from these supplements, we will compare this to your daily value.

Meeting your health goals shouldn't cost the earth. To find out if the more expensive options are worth the money, we compare prices of all magnesium supplements.

We note how much each supplement you are required to take in our reviews.

Different people need different things. If a magnesium supplement is suitable for a particular diet, we make sure to mention it. It is possible that it is suitable for people with allergies.

We test all the supplements ourselves to make sure they are easy to swallow. We make note of the taste as well as the unpleasant aftertaste.

When testing magnesium supplements, we look for things that make it stand out over the other. The manufacturing methods could be involved.

The article is not meant to give medical advice.