Magnesium Breakthrough Ingredients: How to Read the Formula
Don't judge a magnesium formula by ingredient count alone. The Supplement Facts panel declares elemental magnesium, not the total weight of the magnesium-containing compounds.
Three label questions
1. Elemental dose: What amount of magnesium does the serving actually provide?
2. Forms: Which compounds supply it? NIH notes that absorption varies among forms and that more soluble forms tend to be absorbed more completely than less soluble forms.
3. Transparency: Can you tell how the total dose is composed? Check the current product label because formulas can change.
Sources & next steps
Primary references: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Magnesium: Health Professional Fact Sheet and Magnesium: Consumer Fact Sheet. Product details should always be checked against the current merchant label before purchase.