Magnesium 250 mg
Nature Made
Score 58
An extremely affordable magnesium oxide supplement providing 250mg per serving, primarily suitable for bowel regularity rather than optimal systemic magnesium absorption.
Score 58
An extremely affordable magnesium oxide supplement providing 250mg per serving, primarily suitable for bowel regularity rather than optimal systemic magnesium absorption.
Also available as 1 option
Analysis
Nature Made Magnesium 250 mg uses magnesium oxide as its sole form of magnesium. Magnesium oxide is one of the most common and inexpensive forms of magnesium available in supplements. It contains a high percentage of elemental magnesium by weight, which allows for a smaller pill size for a given dose.
However, the primary drawback of magnesium oxide is its low absorption rate for systemic benefits. A large portion of it passes through the digestive tract unabsorbed, where it can exert a laxative effect. This makes it more suitable for addressing occasional constipation than for significantly raising magnesium levels throughout the body.
For those primarily seeking a very budget-friendly option, or for mild digestive regularity, this product could be considered. But for widespread magnesium support for functions like muscle relaxation, nerve health, or bone density, other, more bioavailable forms would likely be more effective.
Pros
- Very low price per serving, making it highly economical.
- Generous quantity of 200 servings per bottle.
- Readily available from a widely recognized brand.
- Can be effective for promoting bowel regularity.
Cons
- Magnesium oxide has very low bioavailability for systemic use.
- May cause digestive upset or laxative effects in some individuals.
- Less effective for supporting muscle, nerve, or bone health due to poor absorption.
Warnings
- May cause loose stools or diarrhea, especially with higher doses.
- Not ideal for long-term magnesium repletion due to poor absorption.
- Consult a healthcare professional if you have kidney disease or take certain medications.
$9.39($0.04 per serving)
 Vitacost | $ 9.39 | |
 iHerb | $ 10.72 |
Goals
Impact
High effect
Magnesium oxide is commonly used as a laxative to promote bowel regularity. Therefore, it can be effective for digestive health, specifically for occasional constipation.
Impact
Moderate effect
While it provides elemental magnesium, the poor absorption of the oxide form means it offers limited systemic support for general health compared to other, more bioavailable forms.
Impact
Moderate effect
While magnesium supports heart health, the low bioavailability of magnesium oxide means it's not the most effective form for systemic cardiovascular support compared to other options.
Impact
Moderate effect
Magnesium oxide is not optimally absorbed to provide robust cardiovascular support. Other forms are generally recommended for maintaining healthy blood pressure and heart function.
Impact
Moderate effect
Magnesium is vital for muscle function and energy. However, the poor absorption of magnesium oxide makes it a less efficient choice for supporting fitness goals or muscle recovery.
Impact
Moderate effect
Magnesium is crucial for energy production, but the low absorption of magnesium oxide means it is not an effective way to significantly boost energy levels or combat fatigue.
Impact
Moderate effect
While magnesium can aid relaxation, the poor absorption of magnesium oxide means it's less effective for promoting systemic relaxation and sleep compared to forms like glycinate.
Impact
Moderate effect
Magnesium oxide's low absorption makes it less effective for supporting the nervous system and providing stress relief compared to better-absorbed magnesium forms.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
Magnesium | 250 mg |
Magnesium 55
As a magnesium oxide supplement, this product is highly affordable but offers very poor systemic absorption, limiting its effectiveness for most magnesium-related health goals beyond digestive regularity.
Alternative products
82 Value 
Magnesium Citrate Pure Powder
Best Naturals
Offering a more bioavailable magnesium citrate form at the same low price per serving, this powder delivers significantly better value for general health, energy, and mood support than magnesium oxide.
75 Value 
Magnesium Complex 300 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
This magnesium complex, with citrate, carbonate, and oxide forms, offers a more well-rounded approach to magnesium supplementation at a remarkably lower price per serving, providing enhanced benefits for your goals at an excellent value.
58 Value 
Magnesium 200 mg
Swanson Premium Brand
While still a magnesium oxide form, this option provides a slightly higher analysis score and the same low price per serving, offering marginal but improved value for a basic magnesium supplement.
90 Performance 
Ultra-Mag
Source Naturals
This comprehensive blend features several highly bioavailable forms of magnesium (citrate, glycinate, malate, succinate, taurinate) alongside Vitamin B6, offering broader support for heart health, cognitive function, energy, and stress relief compared to a basic magnesium oxide.
85 Performance 
Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate
Healthy Origins
For improved absorption and gentleness on the stomach, this pure magnesium bisglycinate chelate is an excellent choice. It's often favored for promoting relaxation, sleep support, and muscle function without the digestive concerns sometimes associated with magnesium oxide.
88 Performance 
Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate Tropical Punch Flavor
Life Extension
If cognitive support and brain health are key goals, magnesium L-Threonate is a unique form recognized for its ability to target brain magnesium levels. This makes it a more specialized and potentially 'better' option for mental focus and anti-aging in that specific area.
45 Budget 
Magnesium Oxide Pure Powder
NOW
This alternative offers a very low price point per serving for magnesium oxide in a powder form, making it a budget-friendly choice for general magnesium needs, especially if you prioritize cost savings and can mix powders easily.
75 Budget
Magnesium Complex 300 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
This blend of magnesium carbonate, citrate, and oxide provides a more diverse magnesium profile at a significantly lower price per serving, offering better potential absorption and varied benefits compared to a single oxide form.
82 Budget
Magnesium Citrate Pure Powder
Best Naturals
Magnesium citrate is generally considered to have better bioavailability than magnesium oxide for systemic benefits. This powder form comes at a comparable low price per serving, offering a more effective magnesium source for your overall health goals.
82 Value
Magnesium Citrate Pure Powder
Best Naturals
Offering a more bioavailable magnesium citrate form at the same low price per serving, this powder delivers significantly better value for general health, energy, and mood support than magnesium oxide.
75 Value
Magnesium Complex 300 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
This magnesium complex, with citrate, carbonate, and oxide forms, offers a more well-rounded approach to magnesium supplementation at a remarkably lower price per serving, providing enhanced benefits for your goals at an excellent value.
58 Value
Magnesium 200 mg
Swanson Premium Brand
While still a magnesium oxide form, this option provides a slightly higher analysis score and the same low price per serving, offering marginal but improved value for a basic magnesium supplement.
90 Performance
Ultra-Mag
Source Naturals
This comprehensive blend features several highly bioavailable forms of magnesium (citrate, glycinate, malate, succinate, taurinate) alongside Vitamin B6, offering broader support for heart health, cognitive function, energy, and stress relief compared to a basic magnesium oxide.
85 Performance
Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate
Healthy Origins
For improved absorption and gentleness on the stomach, this pure magnesium bisglycinate chelate is an excellent choice. It's often favored for promoting relaxation, sleep support, and muscle function without the digestive concerns sometimes associated with magnesium oxide.
88 Performance
Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate Tropical Punch Flavor
Life Extension
If cognitive support and brain health are key goals, magnesium L-Threonate is a unique form recognized for its ability to target brain magnesium levels. This makes it a more specialized and potentially 'better' option for mental focus and anti-aging in that specific area.