Bioavailability of magnesium food supplements: a systematic review
Marta R.Pardoa Nutrition Available online 28 April 2021, 111294
Highlights
• Organic magnesium forms are more bioavailable than inorganic forms
• Magnesium citrate's percentage of absorption is dose dependent
• The tissue distribution of magnesium depends on the form administered
• All magnesium supplements can maintain physiological levels in healthy subjects
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The market for food supplements is booming due to their increased consumption. European regulations include different ways in which vitamins/minerals are administered, without the consumer being clear if one formulation has advantages over the other. The aim was to compare the bioavailability of different forms of Mg and to analyze the differences between them.
Methods: Based on a PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) research question, a search strategy for Mg bioavailability studies that compared different forms was established for Pubmed, Cochrane, Web Of Science and Scopus databases. 433 studies were found of which 14 were finally selected.
Results: Inorganic formulations appear to be less bioavailable than organic and the percentage of absorption is dose dependent.
Conclusion: All Mg dietary supplements can maintain the physiological levels of Mg in healthy subjects without prior deficit, although it cannot be assured in older patients, patients with illnesses or with previous sub-physiological levels.