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Magnesium 500 mg

Nature's Bounty

4.8
(7428 ratings)
Magnesium 500 mg
Product Image
Score 30.0

An incredibly affordable, high-dose magnesium supplement using magnesium oxide. Its low bioavailability renders it largely ineffective for systemic health goals, making its primary use as a laxative.

Quantity: 100 Tablet(s)Servings size: 1 Tablet(s) (100 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
General Health
Energy
Stress Relief
Heart Health
Bone Health

Score 30.0

An incredibly affordable, high-dose magnesium supplement using magnesium oxide. Its low bioavailability renders it largely ineffective for systemic health goals, making its primary use as a laxative.

Analysis

Nature's Bounty Magnesium 500 mg provides a high dose of 500mg of magnesium, exclusively in the form of Magnesium Oxide. While the dose is substantial and the price per serving is exceptionally low, Magnesium Oxide is known for its very poor systemic bioavailability, typically absorbing only about 4%. This means that an extremely minimal amount of this magnesium will be absorbed for physiological functions like supporting energy, stress relief, heart health, bone health, mood, metabolism, or sleep. Its primary and most effective function is as an osmotic laxative. The high review count likely includes many users who appreciate its cost-effectiveness or its intended laxative properties.
Pros
  • Very high dose of elemental magnesium per serving
  • Exceptionally low price per serving
  • Popular brand with a high number of reviews
Cons
  • Extremely low systemic bioavailability of Magnesium Oxide
  • Strong potential for laxative effects due to poor absorption
  • Not suitable for comprehensive magnesium repletion for broad health goals
Warnings
  • High doses of poorly absorbed magnesium are highly likely to cause diarrhea or significant gastrointestinal upset.
  • Not recommended for addressing systemic magnesium deficiency unless the primary concern is constipation.
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$5.92($0.05 per serving)
Walmart
$ 5.92
Vitacost
$ 7.49
Amazon
$ 7.88
iHerb
$ 10.30
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Effectiveness for goals

Dosage, timing & forms

Safety & interactions

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Magnesium
500 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free Sugar Free
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Categories

Offers a very high quantity of magnesium at an excellent price point, but its very low systemic bioavailability due to being Magnesium Oxide significantly limits its functional value for comprehensive supplementation.

Goals

Despite the high elemental dose, the very low systemic absorption of Magnesium Oxide severely limits its contribution to the body's overall general health and functional processes.
Optimal energy production from magnesium requires efficient systemic absorption, which is profoundly lacking with Magnesium Oxide, resulting in minimal direct energy benefits.
For magnesium to alleviate stress, systemic availability is essential, a function poorly provided by the low absorption of Magnesium Oxide into the nervous system.
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(29692 ratings)
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80 Value

Triple Magnesium Complex 400 mg

Swanson
4.8
(15589 ratings)
Offers a blend including better absorbed forms (Citrate, Aspartate) at a competitive price, representing a significantly better value for general magnesium benefits than oxide alone.
90 Value

Magnesium Caps 500 mg

Life Extension
4.8
(71620 ratings)
Although a higher price per serving, its superior chelated forms provide vastly greater value for genuine magnesium absorption and systemic benefits.
90 Performance

Magnesium Caps 500 mg

Life Extension
4.8
(71620 ratings)
Contains highly bioavailable chelated forms (Lysyl Glycinate, Succinate, Citrate) that are significantly better absorbed than Magnesium Oxide, providing superior systemic benefits.
95 Performance

Target-Mins Magnesium Potassium Aspartate With Other Target-Mins Chelates

Country Life
4.7
(4315 ratings)
Offers a broad spectrum of highly bioavailable magnesium forms, comprehensively addressing magnesium needs more effectively than a solely oxide-based product.
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Chelated Magnesium 133 mg

Swanson
4.8
(5354 ratings)
Features TRAACS Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate, a premium, highly absorbable form known for its gentleness and efficacy, far superior to Magnesium Oxide.
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