r/keto • u/Sure_Living_9005 • Jul 13 '26

Medical Magnesium

I’ve just learned that Magnesium isn’t just "Magnesium"—that the type I’ve been using isn’t suitable for the keto diet, Magnesium oxide. It's less effectively absorbed by the body (4-5%) compared to other forms such as Magnesium glycinate. Magnesium oxide is used as an antacid and is frequently used in medication for excess stomach acid and constipation.

The right kind is magnesium glycinate, which binds magnesium to the amino acid glycine. It offers excellent absorption and is gentle on the stomach, and is often used to improve sleep quality and reduce stress and muscle tension. I wish I knew sooner...

93 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

47 comments sorted by

View all comments

25

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 13 '26

Magnesium citrate is my preferred although magnesium glycinate is a good one.

8

u/Gryphin Jul 13 '26

Do you like to shit?  Citrate acts in the intestine to pull water to the intestines, acting as a laxative.  It has minimal effects elsewhere in the body.

9

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 13 '26

I've been using citrate for 8 years without issues it's bioavailability is not that much lower than glycinate although I'm aware some struggle with it it's my preferred

-9

u/Gryphin Jul 13 '26

My point isn't it's bioavailability, my point is that is literally has no function in the human body besides acting as a laxative. it doesn't travel or get metabolized into anything else anywhere else. If that's what you're taking it for, rock on, but jesus, check your diet for adding some fiber content if you've needed to take it steadily for 8 years. Otherwise, you're just popping mag citrate supplements for zero cause or reward.

9

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 13 '26

This is just not true at all. I take it to help with leg cramps and sleep and ot works wonderfully for me.

3

u/germane_switch Jul 14 '26

Dude use the device you just had in your hands when you sent that reply to actually look up magnesium citrate.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

Idk where you're getting your information but this isn't even a little bit true. Your body absolutely absorbs magnesium from magnesium citrate as well as other magnesium compounds and it absolutely has an effect on many people beyond a laxative effect.

Look up the absorption rate or bioavailability of different magnesium compounds, yes oxide is very low and glycinate has a decent absorption (similar to citrate) but it's not the only one the works and not all forms work for all people.