[S&S] $6.60: NOW Foods Magnesium 400 mg, 180 Veg Capsules

MarioM29

Jul 20, 2026 6:27 AM

927 Comments

Joined Jul 2019

MarioM29Jul 20, 2026 6:27 AM

927 Posts

Good deal. I definitely paid above $13 from iherb

beck121295

Jul 20, 2026 10:51 PM

769 Comments

Joined Apr 2007

beck121295Jul 20, 2026 10:51 PM

769 Posts

Good brand, but not the best forms of magnesium. Magnesium oxide is the weakest part of the formula. It's absorbed poorly (often only around 4% is absorbed in studies), and much of it stays in the intestines, where it can cause loose stools.
Magnesium citrate is absorbed significantly better than oxide, but it does have a mild laxative effect in many people, especially at higher doses like 400 mg of elemental magnesium.
Magnesium aspartate is reasonably well absorbed, but it isn't as commonly recommended as glycinate. Some people prefer to avoid large amounts of aspartate because it's related to aspartic acid, although there's no strong evidence it's harmful in typical supplement doses.

A rough ranking of bioavailability would be:
Excellent: Glycinate, malate
Very good: Citrate
Moderate: Aspartate
Poor: Oxide

1

Skellington

Jul 20, 2026 10:53 PM

825 Comments

Joined Jul 2003

SkellingtonJul 20, 2026 10:53 PM

825 Posts

It doesn't say how much of the formula is magnesium oxide, but magnesium oxide has the worst absorption rate according to nutritionists. I stick with glycinate.

1

wwjrd

Jul 20, 2026 11:18 PM

6.4K Comments

Joined Dec 2009

wwjrdJul 20, 2026 11:18 PM

6,435 Posts

Quote from Skellington

:

It doesn't say how much of the formula is magnesium oxide, but magnesium oxide has the worst absorption rate according to nutritionists. I stick with glycinate.

It does not but for those who don't know, the ingredients must be listed in descending order so you see oxide first you can assume it is the bulk if not 98%.

Anytime a supplement company is not forthright you are safe to assume the "worst."

1

Skellington

Jul 20, 2026 11:33 PM

825 Comments

Joined Jul 2003

SkellingtonJul 20, 2026 11:33 PM

825 Posts

Quote from wwjrd

:

It does not but for those who don't know, the ingredients must be listed in descending order so you see oxide first you can assume it is the bulk if not 98%.Anytime a supplement company is not forthright you are safe to assume the "worst."

I assumed that it was the main ingredient based on ingredient order.

wwjrd

Yesterday 1:00 AM

6.4K Comments

Joined Dec 2009

wwjrdYesterday 1:00 AM

6,435 Posts

Quote from Skellington

:

I assumed that it was the main ingredient based on ingredient order.

I was just adding onto your post for the general people who might not know.

Supplement companies love to be weasels and this is one of their favorite moves!

1

[S&S] $6.60: NOW Foods Magnesium 400 mg, 180 Veg Capsules

$6.60

$14

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