Magnesium
Also known as elemental magnesium, magnesium ion, mg, mg2+
Key takeaways
- Higher circulating and dietary magnesium are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (PMID: 23719551).
- Serum magnesium levels are significantly associated with fracture risk (PMID: 36986033).
- Magnesium supplementation does not show a clear benefit for skeletal muscle cramps (PMID: 32956536).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 423 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in numerous physiological processes. Research indicates a general association between higher magnesium levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, though its efficacy for specific acute conditions like muscle cramps remains contested.
By condition
Cardiovascular Disease
Strong
Prospective studies show a significant association between higher circulating and dietary magnesium levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Metabolic Syndrome
Moderate
Meta-analysis of observational studies suggests that higher magnesium intake or blood levels are associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
Skeletal Muscle Cramps
Weak
Cochrane reviews indicate insufficient evidence to support the use of magnesium for treating skeletal muscle cramps.
Bone Health (Fractures)
Moderate
There is a significant association between serum magnesium levels and the risk of fractures.
Acute Asthma
Moderate
Inhaled magnesium sulfate is evaluated for acute asthma treatment, though results vary across pediatric and adult populations.
Effective doses
Specific dose ranges were not provided in the provided abstracts; however, research focuses on both dietary intake and circulating serum levels.
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were detailed in the provided abstracts, though clinical use (e.g., inhaled sulfate) should be managed by healthcare providers.
Limitations
Much of the evidence relies on observational studies and meta-analyses of prospective data, which establish association rather than causation. There is a lack of high-quality RCT evidence for several specific therapeutic uses.
Dietary Reference Intakes
Source: IOM/NAM · Dietary Reference Intakes: Magnesium
| Measure | Value | Description |
|---|
Top-rated Magnesium products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
Drug–supplement interactions
5 documented interactions
| Drug | Severity | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bisphosphonates | Moderate | Magnesium interferes with bisphosphonate absorption. | well-established |
| Fluoroquinolones | Moderate | Magnesium chelates fluoroquinolone antibiotics, reducing absorption. | well-established |
| Levothyroxine | Moderate | Magnesium may reduce levothyroxine absorption, similar to calcium. | possible |
| Tetracyclines | Moderate | Magnesium chelates tetracycline antibiotics, reducing absorption. | well-established |
| Antihypertensives | Minor | Magnesium has mild vasodilatory effects, potentially additive with antihypertens | possible |
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 1 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 423 sources, sorted by quality
**Leenders et al., 2021** | Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis Leenders Nicoline H J, Vermeulen Emma A, ... Vervloet Marc G. The association between circulating magnesium and clinically relevant outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease: A sy…
**Arsenault et al., 2013** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Arsenault Kyle A, Yusuf Arif M, ... Whitlock Richard P. Interventions for preventing post-operative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing heart surgery. Cochrane D…
BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle cramps are common and often occur in association with pregnancy, advanced age, exercise or motor neuron disorders (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Typically, such cramps have no obvious underlying patholo…
BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle cramps are common and often presented to physicians in association with pregnancy, advanced age, exercise or disorders of the motor neuron (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Magnesium supplements are market…
**Dominguez et al., 2023** | Nutrients | Meta Analysis Dominguez Ligia J, Veronese Nicola, ... Barbagallo Mario. Association between Serum Magnesium and Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients. 2…
**Martins et al., 2024** | J Dairy Sci | Meta Analysis Martins L F, Cueva S F, ... Hristov A N. A meta-analysis of methane-mitigation potential of feed additives evaluated in vitro. J Dairy Sci. 2024-Jan;107(1):288-300. doi:10.1016/S0022-03…
**Bensaaud et al., 2025** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Bensaaud Abdelsalam, Seery Suzanne, ... Sultan Sherif Ah. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disea…
**Del et al., 2013** | Am J Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis Del Gobbo Liana C, Imamura Fumiaki, ... Mozaffarian Dariush. Circulating and dietary magnesium and risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective st…
**Knightly et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Knightly Rachel, Milan Stephen J, ... Powell Colin. Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017-Nov-28;11(11):CD003898. …
**Baandrup et al., 2018** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Baandrup Lone, Ebdrup Bjørn H, ... Glenthøj Birte Y. Pharmacological interventions for benzodiazepine discontinuation in chronic benzodiazepine users. Cochrane Database …
Frequently asked questions
What is magnesium and what are its main health benefits?
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in many physiological processes. Strong evidence shows that higher dietary intake and circulating levels are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, moderate evidence suggests it may help lower the risk of metabolic syndrome and fractures.
Does magnesium help with muscle cramps?
Research is mixed on this topic, with weak evidence indicating that magnesium supplementation does not show a clear benefit for treating skeletal muscle cramps. Cochrane reviews have found insufficient evidence to support its use for this specific condition.
What is the recommended daily intake of magnesium?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for men aged 19-30 is 400 mg per day. While specific effective dose ranges for supplementation were not provided in the evidence, research generally focuses on achieving adequate dietary intake and healthy circulating serum levels.
Does magnesium interact with other medications?
Yes, magnesium can interfere with the absorption of several drugs. It has a moderate interaction with bisphosphonates, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines by reducing their absorption. It may also reduce levothyroxine absorption and has a minor additive effect with antihypertensive medications.
Who should avoid taking magnesium supplements?
Individuals taking bisphosphonates, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, or levothyroxine should consult a healthcare provider due to absorption interference. Because magnesium can have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs, those on these medications should also seek medical advice before use.
Is magnesium effective for treating acute asthma?
There is moderate evidence regarding inhaled magnesium sulfate for acute asthma treatment, though results vary across pediatric and adult populations. Clinical use of inhaled forms should be managed by healthcare providers rather than self-administered.
What is the evidence for magnesium and bone health?
There is moderate evidence showing a significant association between serum magnesium levels and the risk of fractures. Maintaining adequate magnesium levels is linked to bone health, though specific therapeutic doses for fracture prevention were not detailed in the provided data.