Magnesium Malate
Also known as: magnesium dimalate, Mg malate, magnesium hydrogen malate
Magnesium paired with malic acid, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle. It is marketed for daytime use in energy and muscle-comfort formulas, based partly on older reports combining magnesium and malate, and is well tolerated with less laxative effect than citrate. The dimalate salt carries about 15.5% elemental magnesium. Direct comparative absorption data in humans are sparse, so its ranges are borrowed from general magnesium research.
Research summary
Supplies magnesium for ATP-dependent enzymes; malate is a mitochondrial substrate, although a distinct effect from the malate portion has not been established in humans.
Dosage
Daily amounts, elemental (16% of the compound is the element).
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 mg | 100–350 mg | 350 mg | 350 mg |
NIH ODS — UL of 350 mg applies to supplemental magnesium only, not magnesium from food
Doses are elemental magnesium. Usually taken with meals earlier in the day. Elemental fraction depends on the grade: magnesium dimalate (Mg(C4H5O5)2, MW ≈ 290) is ≈ 8.4% Mg, while the 1:1 magnesium malate salt (MgC4H4O5, MW ≈ 156) is ≈ 15.5% Mg; 0.155 assumes the 1:1 salt — verify against the supplier's certificate of analysis. Capped at the 350 mg supplemental UL.
Source material: synthetic (magnesium oxide or hydroxide reacted with malic acid)
As supplied: 1:1 salt ≈ 15.5% Mg; dimalate ≈ 8–11% Mg
Forms of Magnesium
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Malate | 100–350 mg | 16% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | low |
| Magnesium Glycinate | 200–350 mg | 14% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | low |
| Magnesium Citrate | 150–350 mg | 16% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Magnesium Oxide | 200–350 mg | 60% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy | low |
| Magnesium L-Threonate | 100–144 mg | 7% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | high |
| Magnesium Chloride | 100–300 mg | 12% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Liquid | low |
| Magnesium Taurate | 100–300 mg | 9% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Bulky: 200 mg elemental ≈ 1,300 mg of compound. Tart, pleasant flavor in powders. Tablets are the compact option.
Formulation notes
Separate from bisphosphonates and some antibiotics. Commonly combined with B vitamins in energy formulas.
- Has an upper limit
Sources
Related ingredients
Magnesium Glycinate
MineralA chelated form of magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine.
Typical: 200–350 mg
Magnesium Citrate
MineralMagnesium bound to citric acid, one of the best-selling magnesium forms because it is inexpensive, dissolves readily, and has shown good bioavailability in comparison studies.
Typical: 150–350 mg
Casein Protein (Micellar)
ProteinThe predominant protein in milk, which forms a gel in the stomach and releases amino acids slowly over several hours.
Typical: 20–40 g
Maltodextrin
OtherMaltodextrin is a partially hydrolyzed starch consisting of short glucose chains, characterized by a dextrose-equivalent (DE) value that indicates how far the starch has been broken down.
Typical: 15–30 g
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
Amino acidA stable, highly soluble salt of L-carnitine with tartaric acid, the form most used in exercise-recovery research.
Typical: 1,000–2,000 mg