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Timeline (Bioavailability) of Magnesium Compounds in Hours: Which Magnesium Compound Works Best?

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Abstract

Magnesium is an element of great importance functioning because of its association with many cellular physiological functions. The magnesium content of foods is gradually decreasing due to food processing, and magnesium supplementation for healthy living has become increasingly popular. However, data is very limited on the bioavailability of various magnesium preparations. The aim of this study is to investigate the bioavailability of five different magnesium compounds (magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, magnesium acetyl taurate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium malate) in different tissues. Following a single dose 400 mg/70 kg magnesium administration to Sprague Dawley rats, bioavailability was evaluated by examining time-dependent absorption, tissue penetration, and the effects on the behavior of the animals. Pharmacokinetically, the area under the curve calculation is highest in the magnesium malate. The magnesium acetyl taurate was found to have the second highest area under the curve calculation. Magnesium acetyl taurate was rapidly absorbed, able to pass through to the brain easily, had the highest tissue concentration level in the brain, and was found to be associated with decreased anxiety indicators. Magnesium malate levels remained high for an extended period of time in the serum. The commonly prescribed dietary supplements magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate had the lowest bioavailability when compared to our control group. More research is needed to investigate the bioavailability of magnesium malate and acetyl taurate compounds and their effects in specific tissues and on behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey

    Nazan Uysal, Guven Guvendi, Sevim Kandis, Basar Koc & Aslı Karakilic

  2. College of Vocational School of Health Services, School of Medicine Izmir, Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey

    Nazan Uysal, Servet Kizildag & Mehmet Ates

  3. Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey

    Zeynep Yuce

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ulas M. Camsari

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  1. Nazan Uysal
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  2. Servet Kizildag
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Correspondence to Nazan Uysal.

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The experiments were carried out according to the Guiding Principles in the Use of Experimental Animals and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Uysal, N., Kizildag, S., Yuce, Z. et al. Timeline (Bioavailability) of Magnesium Compounds in Hours: Which Magnesium Compound Works Best?. Biol Trace Elem Res 187, 128–136 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1351-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1351-9

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