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Best Magnesium Supplements of 2023
Learn all about magnesium's far-reaching benefits, plus, why adding a little zinc can go a long way.
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It's impossible for humans to be in several places at once, but for an essential nutrient like magnesium, it’s a job requirement.
At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in carrying out hundreds of different processes simultaneously throughout our bodies. In fact, without it, our bodies would completely shut down.
That’s why it’s shocking to discover an estimated 50% of all Americans don't get enough of this mega-important mineral.1 Inadequate magnesium levels can spell trouble for some of your body’s most vital systems, leading to cramps, more severe PMS, sleep disruption, and more.
Fortunately, taking a magnesium supplement can help replenish your body's magnesium levels and keep them from falling to dangerous lows.
Magnesium Can Help With:
Bone Strength
Magnesium is essential to bone formation and density, especially as we age. It also helps regulate the distribution of important bone-building nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.2
Heart Health
One of magnesium's most important functions is helping the heart maintain a healthy rhythm. It also helps maintain blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels.3
Immune Function
Studies have shown that magnesium plays a pivotal role in maintaining intracellular health and helps stimulate the production of antibodies to ward off harmful pathogens.4
Muscle Cramps
Magnesium plays a vital role in helping your muscles relax. When you're low on magnesium, your muscles are more likely to tense up, leading to painful cramps.
PMS Symptoms
A 2010 study found that women with magnesium deficiencies experienced more severe PMS. After supplementing with magnesium, their PMS symptoms became less intense.5
Lowered Risk of Hypertension*
Magnesium aids in the production of nitric oxide and supports normal levels of calcium, both of which help to relax blood vessels and support healthy blood flow. Additionally, this mineral works to protect against common oxidative stress.*
Stress, Sleep, and Mood
Magnesium isn't just good for your physical health; it's essential for your mental wellbeing too. Your stress levels, mood, and sleep quality are all deeply linked to magnesium.
For example, magnesium helps regulate our stress-response systems — one of the reasons people with low magnesium often report experiencing heightened stress. It also increases levels of GABA, a neurochemical that encourages deep sleep and relaxation.
Studies conducted with supplemental magnesium show a positive correlation with improved sleep, reduced stress, and greater calm.6, 7
Keep in mind, not all magnesium supplements are created equal. Different brands use different components, and some formulas are simply going to be more effective than others.
At Smarter Reviews, we've analyzed some of the top-selling magnesium supplements on the market to help guide you in the right direction. We'll show you what to look for and what to avoid in a high-quality supplement, plus, we share our top 5 picks of the year.
Your Complete Magnesium Checklist
Magnesium Glycinate
Glycine is an amino acid that's combined with magnesium to make it easier to absorb. Like magnesium, glycine facilitates the release of GABA, making magnesium glycinate ideal for sleep and relaxation.8
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium citrate is considered to be the most highly bioavailable type of magnesium, as it can pass through the most volatile parts of the gut with ease. Citrate is also beneficial for digestive regulation.
Magnesium Malate
In addition to being highly bioavailable, magnesium malate is also prized for its antacid properties. 9
Vitamin D3
Magnesium and vitamin D3 work to each other's advantage to promote healthy bones. Additionally, vitamin D3 helps direct calcium towards your bones where it's needed, and away from soft tissues like your arteries, where it can do harm.10
Look For Zinc In Your Supplement
Like vitamin D3, zinc works hand in hand with magnesium to support healthy bones and a robust immune system. Zinc also has the unique ability to boost magnesium absorption — one of the primary reasons it's added to magnesium supplements.
The recommended daily allowance for zinc is about 10 mg for adults and most supplements will contain slightly lower than that to accommodate the zinc you get from your food.
While highly beneficial, too much zinc can hinder the absorption of other vital nutrients, which is why experts caution against exceeding 40 mg/day. We recommend a supplement that offers between 5 and 10 mg of zinc. 11
What To Avoid
Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide is the most poorly absorbed form of chelated magnesium since it's nearly insoluble in water.12
Added Calcium
Be wary of taking a supplement that contains both magnesium and calcium, especially if you already take supplemental calcium. At high doses, these two minerals often compete for absorption.13
Fillers and Additives
Avoid supplements that use fillers and additives like magnesium stearate and soy, as they may lead to allergic reactions.
Top 5 Magnesium Supplements Of 2023
We've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category on the market today.
1. MagWell®
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Total Ranking
9.8/10
A+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Magnesium blend
- Zinc & vitamin D3
- GMP compliant
- Non-GMO
- 365-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- Sold exclusively online
The Bottom Line
MagWell uses three types of highly bioavailable magnesium, including magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium malate.
It also contains zinc (7.5 mg) and vitamin D3 to maximize absorption. Both zinc and vitamin D3 also play pivotal roles in supporting bone, heart, immune, and brain health.
Consumers will also be pleased to know that Live Conscious manufacturers all of their products in GMP-compliant facilities. To top things off, they back all of their products with a 365-day return policy, no questions asked.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More2. Magnesium + Zinc
Total Ranking
9.5/10
A
Overall Grade
PROS
- Magnesium blend (225 mg)
- Zinc & vitamin D3
- GMP-compliant
- Non-GMO
- 365-day return policy
CONS
- Sold exclusively online
- New to the market
The Bottom Line
Essential Elements' Magnesium + Zinc is another example of a magnesium supplement done right.
Like our top pick, Magnesium + Zinc is formulated with magnesium malate, citrate, and glycinate, as well as zinc (7.5 mg), and vitamin D3.
Essential Elements makes all of their supplements in GMP-compliant facilities, and backs all of their products with a 365-day return policy.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. MagMD® Plus
Total Ranking
9.1/10
A-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Magnesium blend (225 mg)
- Zinc & vitamin D3
- Non-GMO
- GMP compliant
- 90-day return policy
CONS
- Sold exclusively online
- Frequently out of stock
The Bottom Line
MagMD® Plus feels like another win for 1MD Nutrition™, a company who has garnered a favorable reputation for partnering with industry-leading doctors to create high-quality supplements.
Similar to our top two products, MagMD® Plus contains a 225 mg-magnesium blend, including the 3 potent chelates mentioned above.
It also contains potent doses of zinc (7.5 mg) and vitamin D3 to help support the absorption of magnesium, as well as a healthy heart and strong bones.
Despite its reputation and high-quality product, MagMD® Plus places third on our list since it's still relatively new and hasn't received much customer feedback. On the plus side, if you're not happy with MagMD® Plus, you have a full 90 days to return it.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Magnesium Caps
Total Ranking
8.9/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Magnesium blend (400 mg)
- Vegetable capsule
- No additives or fillers
CONS
- Lacks zinc
- Lacks vitamin D3
- 30-day return policy
The Bottom Line
NOW is one of the biggest names in health supplements and has maintained a loyal customer base over the years. If you're looking for an inexpensive, mid-tier supplement, NOW's Magnesium Caps are a solid choice.
NOW uses three types of magnesium in their supplement, including citrate. However, if you're looking for either malate or glycinate, you won't find them here.
Additionally, this formula lacks both zinc and vitamin D3. NOW offers a brief 30-day return window, which came as a surprise considering how big the brand is.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Magnesium Complex
Total Ranking
8.5/10
B
Overall Grade
PROS
- Magnesium blend (500 mg)
- GMP compliant
- 365-day return policy
CONS
- Lacks zinc
- Lacks vitamin D3
- Contains magnesium oxide
The Bottom Line
What you see is what you get with Sunergetic's Magnesium Complex. It's a decent choice if you're perhaps new to magnesium and shopping on a budget.
Magnesium Complex is manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility and uses a 500 mg blend, made with magnesium citrate and oxide. Unfortunately, oxide is one of the weakest forms of magnesium, leaving most of the heavy lifting to citrate. Not surprisingly, it contains neither zinc nor vitamin D3.
On the upside, Sunergetic offers a 100% satisfaction, 365-day money-back guarantee.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
We may receive compensation from certain of the companies whose products are featured on this website. As a result, we receive payment when you purchase a product using the links on this website. This website is owned and operated by the same company that has ownership interest in certain products featured on this website. This compensation and our ownership interest may affect how and where products appear on the site, including the order in which they appear. This site does not include and rate all products in each category.
Go back to pageOur Main Sources
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
What You Will Learn:
Estimated Read Time 5 Minutes
CITATIONS
- https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/19/magnesium-deficiency.aspx
- http://getbetterwellness.com/?p=2665
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002423.htm
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-Consumer/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3208934/
- https://draxe.com/magnesium-supplements/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-magnesium-benefits#section7
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21199787
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/547742-can-magnesium-supplements-cause-tiredness/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318716.php
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2067759
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-soy-lecithin-good-or-bad-for-me
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/448208-which-form-of-magnesium-is-best-absorbed/
* Consuming diets with adequate magnesium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). However, the FDA has concluded that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive.