Elemental magnesium: the figure that matters
Magnesium never comes alone: it is always bound to another molecule that forms the compound (an oxide, a citrate, an amino acid…). The weight of the compound is not the magnesium you receive.
Elemental magnesium is the real amount of magnesium each serving provides. It is the figure that lets you compare any product, whatever its form.
The main forms of magnesium
| Form | Bound to | Main feature |
|---|---|---|
| Oxide | Oxygen | Inorganic form with a lot of magnesium per gram |
| Carbonate | Carbonate | Classic inorganic form |
| Chloride | Chlorine | A very popular magnesium salt |
| Citrate | Citric acid | Widely used organic form |
| Malate | Malic acid | Organic form |
| Threonate | Threonic acid | Organic form of research interest |
| Bisglycinate | Two glycine molecules | Chelated form, very well tolerated by the digestive system |
Why we chose bisglycinate
Because it combines what we look for in an everyday formula: a stable chelated structure, excellent digestive tolerance and glycine, an amino acid, as magnesium’s partner.
How to calculate the % NRV
The nutrient reference value (NRV) for magnesium is 375 mg per day. To find out what percentage a product covers, divide its elemental magnesium per serving by 375 and multiply by 100.
Your daily serving against the reference value
Example with our formula: 200 mg ÷ 375 × 100 = 53% of the NRV.
Checklist for reading a magnesium label
- Elemental magnesium per serving, in milligrams.
- Capsules per serving: how many you need for that figure.
- % NRV: the percentage of the reference value.
- Chemical form: bisglycinate, citrate, oxide…
- Vitamin B6: if it contains it, how many milligrams (the daily maximum for adults is 12 mg from diet and supplements combined).
Frequently asked questions
What is elemental magnesium?
The real amount of magnesium each serving provides, not counting the weight of the molecule it is bound to.
Which form of magnesium should I choose?
We chose bisglycinate for its chelated structure and excellent digestive tolerance. Whatever the form, always compare the elemental magnesium.
What does % NRV mean?
The percentage of the nutrient reference value each serving covers. For magnesium, the NRV is 375 mg per day.
How much magnesium does your formula provide?
200 mg of elemental magnesium per 2-capsule serving, 53% of the NRV, with 6 mg of vitamin B6.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011: food information and nutrient reference values
- De Baaij et al. (2015): magnesium in man, implications for health and disease
- EFSA (2015): dietary reference values for magnesium
- EFSA (2023): tolerable upper intake level for vitamin B6
- NIH, Office of Dietary Supplements: magnesium