A study in Nutrients 2024 compared in 40 healthy adults how different forms of magnesium raise their blood levels and what side effects they produce. It looked at magnesium oxide, citrate, bisglycinate and an innovative microencapsulated form. Microencapsulation achieved a sustained increase in plasma magnesium for at least six hours and less digestive discomfort.
For everyday life, this means that not all sources of magnesium work equally well or are tolerated equally well. Choosing forms with better absorption and good intestinal tolerance can make a difference to energy, muscle function and overall wellbeing, especially when looking for continued use.
Clinical study shows magnesium form changes absorption and digestive effects
The trial was a randomised, double-blind, crossover design, meaning that each participant tested the four sources of magnesium in different weeks, with low-magnesium diets in between periods. Each dose provided 375 milligrams of elemental magnesium, equivalent to 100 percent of the European reference daily intake.
The researchers measured plasma magnesium before intake and one, four and six hours later. Microencapsulated magnesium significantly increased levels at all three measurement points and maintained the elevation at six hours, which was not observed with oxide, citrate or bisglycinate. In addition, questionnaires showed less gastric heaviness and less increase in intestinal transit with the microencapsulated form.
In practical terms, the change was modest but consistent, with an elevation of about eight per cent over baseline and a difference of just over ten per cent versus plain oxide after six hours. This pattern suggests a more sustained release, useful when seeking stability in magnesium levels throughout the day.
Magnesium is involved in hundreds of reactions that support energy, muscles and the nervous system.
Magnesium is a cofactor in over six hundred enzymatic reactions. It is involved in the production of ATP, the energy currency of cells, in the synthesis of DNA and proteins, and in the regulation of muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Most of it is stored in bones and muscles and only a small fraction circulates in the blood, but this fraction is key to overall balance.
When the diet does not provide enough magnesium, muscle cramps, fatigue, heart rhythm disturbances and changes in the regulation of glucose and blood pressure can occur. The study stresses that intestinal absorption varies greatly depending on the chemical form, with ranges from approximately 24 to 76 percent. This is why the combination of good solubility, gradual release and lack of digestive discomfort is so important.
Organic forms such as citrate and bisglycinate tend to show better solubility than simple oxide, which facilitates absorption. Microencapsulation adds an additional layer of optimisation, as it protects the compound, improves its dispersion and modulates release in the gut, with direct impact on the actual bioactivity of the mineral.
Daily habits that support magnesium and energy balance
The first pillar is diet. Green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains are natural sources of magnesium. Keeping them present in the main meals helps to cover an important part of the daily requirement and also provides fibre and other micronutrients that support energy metabolism.
The second pillar is the management of factors that increase magnesium loss. High alcohol consumption, certain drugs, sustained stress and very restrictive diets can lead to magnesium depletion. Taking care with hydration, avoiding excessive caffeine and prioritising a sufficient night’s rest will help to improve electrolyte balance.
Regular physical activity also plays a role. Moderate exercise improves tissue sensitivity to nutrients and stimulates muscle adaptations that are supported by adequate magnesium intake. In active individuals, recreational athletes or those engaged in physically demanding work, the demand for magnesium may be higher, so the choice of sources with good bioavailability is particularly important.
How Nutribiolite’s MAG-FUSION aligns with comparative evidence on magnesium
The comparative clinical study highlights that forms of magnesium with better absorption and tolerance offer clear advantages over less bioavailable salts. Nutribiolite’s MAG-FUSION builds on this same physiological approach by using magnesium in the form of citrate, one of the forms studied in the trial, known for its high solubility and efficient absorption profile.
Magnesium citrate, as opposed to forms such as oxide, dissolves better in the intestinal environment, making the magnesium ion more readily available for transport across the mucosa. In the trial, citrate showed a significant increase in plasma magnesium at four hours, consistent with efficient absorption. MAG-FUSION takes advantage of this by formulating with trimagnesium dicitrate, which combines a good concentration of elemental magnesium with a highly soluble organic matrix.
In addition, MAG-FUSION dispenses with unnecessary additives and focuses on a clean formulation, which reduces the risk of absorption interference and improves digestive tolerance. This difference is relevant compared to products using magnesium oxide with added excipients, as magnesium oxide has lower solubility and is often associated with more intestinal discomfort. The choice of citrate in MAG-FUSION results in superior bioavailability and a more comfortable daily use experience.
MAG-FUSION’s formulation also incorporates B vitamins and vitamin D3 in adjusted doses, which act as cofactors in energy production pathways, muscle function and bone maintenance. This combination enhances the bioactivity of magnesium by supporting systems in which the mineral is directly involved, from muscle contraction to homocysteine metabolism and immune function.
Nutribiolite’s MAG-FUSION combines magnesium in citrate form with key vitamins for people looking to support energy, muscle and bone in a highly bioavailable formula without unnecessary additives.
Final summary on magnesium, comparative evidence and daily routine
The clinical trial published in Nutrients shows that the technology applied to magnesium salts clearly modifies their absorption and tolerance. More soluble and better designed forms offer a more stable elevation of plasma magnesium and less digestive discomfort, favouring sustained use in adults who want to take care of their energy and muscle function.
In practice, a diet rich in natural sources of magnesium, accompanied by regular exercise and sensible stress management, is the basis. From there, choosing supplements using highly bioavailable forms, such as the citrate present in MAG-FUSION, allows a further step in optimising mineral balance with a clean, physiologically focused formulation.
This content is informative and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the chemical form of magnesium in a supplement matter?
The chemical form determines how magnesium dissolves and how much is absorbed in the gut. Salts such as citrate have better solubility and bioavailability than simple oxide, resulting in more stable plasma levels and less digestive discomfort.
How magnesium citrate differs from magnesium oxide
Magnesium citrate is a more soluble organic salt than magnesium oxide, which is a poorly soluble inorganic salt. This difference makes it easier for citrate to release usable magnesium to the body and reduces the proportion remaining in the intestinal lumen, which is often associated with better tolerance and greater physiological efficacy.
For whom a supplement such as MAG-FUSION may make sense to use
It is intended for adults who already take care of their diet and physical activity and want additional support for magnesium balance, muscle function and maintenance of bones and energy on a daily basis. It may be of particular interest at times of increased physical or mental demands.
What the clinical study brings to the choice of magnesium supplementation
The Nutrients trial shows that not all sources of magnesium raise plasma magnesium equally and do not have the same side-effect profile. This type of data helps to prioritise forms with better absorption and tolerance, such as citrate, consistent with the formulation of products such as MAG-FUSION.
Can magnesium support fatigue and muscle function in everyday life?
Magnesium is involved in cellular energy production and muscle contraction and relaxation. When intake is adequate and absorption is efficient, it promotes a more balanced muscle function and a more stable feeling of energy within a healthy lifestyle.
