Fuel more than 300 essential cellular reactions in your body every day. Solaray Magnesium Citrate (Enhanced Absorption) pairs high-purity elemental magnesium with organic citric acid and a mineral-rich green food base to give your body an easily digestible, fast-acting form of magnesium your cells can actually use.
✔ 400 mg Elemental Magnesium (95% Daily Value)
✔ Scientifically Proven Superior Absorption
✔ Nourishing Botanical Green Food Base
✔ 100% Vegan & Non-GMO Formula
Why Bioavailability Matters: Magnesium Citrate vs. Magnesium Oxide
Not all magnesium supplements work the same way in your gut. Many common, low-cost store brands use magnesium oxide. While magnesium oxide sounds great on a label because it packs a high amount of raw mineral weight into a small pill, it has a serious downside: it dissolves very poorly in water and human digestive fluids. Most of that oxide passes straight through your digestive tract unabsorbed, frequently triggering abrupt loose stools rather than nourishing your muscles, bones, and nerves.
Magnesium Citrate (Enhanced Absorption) solves this problem through chelation. In this formula, each magnesium ion is chemically bonded to citric acid. Think of citric acid as an organic escort: it shields the magnesium from clumping together in the stomach and keeps it completely soluble across the varying acid levels of your stomach and intestines.
What the Clinical Research Confirms:
Dramatic In-Vitro & Human Solubility: In a landmark clinical trial published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers demonstrated that magnesium citrate demonstrated 55% water solubility even in plain water, compared to magnesium oxide which remained virtually insoluble. In human volunteers, urinary excretion testing confirmed that magnesium citrate was absorbed at significantly higher levels than oxide (Lindberg et al., 1990).
Long-Term Cellular Saturation: A 60-day double-blind clinical trial published in Magnesium Research found that daily supplementation with magnesium citrate produced significantly higher blood serum and salivary magnesium levels compared to both magnesium oxide and placebo (Walker et al., 2003).
Faster Uptake: A randomized cross-over trial in BMC Nutrition demonstrated that magnesium citrate delivered higher acute serum concentrations and superior 24-hour renal bioavailability than equivalent doses of inorganic magnesium oxide (Kappeler et al., 2017).
Key Comparison
Solaray Magnesium Citrate
Standard Magnesium Oxide
Chemical Structure
Organic Chelate (Magnesium + Citric Acid)
Inorganic Mineral Salt (Magnesium + Oxygen)
Intestinal Absorption
High & Rapid (Readily Ionizes in Gut)
Low (Approximately 4% to 10% absorbed)
Stomach Acid Requirement
Easily absorbed even with low stomach acid
Requires high stomach acid to break apart
Systemic Health Benefits
Reaches muscles, heart, bones, and nervous system
Mostly limited to an osmotic laxative effect in colon
Five Science-Backed Benefits for Whole-Body Vitality
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), magnesium is an indispensable cofactor in over 300 enzymatic systems across the human body. Here is how keeping your magnesium levels optimal changes the way you feel every day:
1. Muscle Relaxation and Cramp Prevention
Your muscles contract when calcium enters muscle cells, and they relax when magnesium pushes that calcium back out. When your body does not have enough magnesium to balance calcium, muscle fibers remain locked in micro-contractions. This can trigger muscle tightness, nighttime leg twitches, and painful cramps. Magnesium citrate re-establishes healthy neuromuscular balance so muscle tissues can recover after exercise and rest comfortably at night.
2. Nervous System Balance and Restful Sleep
Magnesium acts as the natural brake for your central nervous system. It binds to and stimulates Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) receptors in your brain—the neurotransmitter responsible for slowing down racing thoughts and signaling your body that it is safe to unwind. Magnesium also helps manage your adrenal response, preventing stress hormones from keeping you awake.
3. Clean Cellular Energy (ATP) Production
Every cell in your body runs on a microscopic fuel molecule called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). But in biological terms, free ATP cannot activate your cells on its own; it must be bound to a magnesium ion to create what scientists call Mg-ATP. Without sufficient magnesium, your mitochondria (your cellular engines) cannot generate steady energy, leaving you feeling sluggish and physically fatigued.
4. Strong Bones and Healthy Calcium Distribution
Roughly 60% of all magnesium in your body is stored directly inside your skeletal bone matrix. Magnesium regulates parathyroid hormone (PTH) and converts dietary Vitamin D into its active circulating form (calcitriol). This ensures that calcium gets carried directly into your bones and tooth enamel rather than accumulating improperly in your arteries or soft tissues.
5. Smooth, Gentle Digestive Regularity
Citric acid naturally draws water into the colon via gentle osmosis. This extra hydration softens stool and stimulates the natural muscular contractions (peristalsis) of your bowel walls. Unlike harsh stimulant laxatives that cause uncomfortable cramping, high-bioavailability magnesium citrate supports comfortable, predictable, and gentle morning bowel movements.
The Solaray Advantage: Enhanced with a Mineral-Rich Herbal Base
Unlike single-ingredient tablets that use synthetic glues and chemical binders, Solaray Magnesium Citrate (Enhanced Absorption) is encapsulated with an organic whole-plant botanical base. These selected herbs have been used by master herbalists for centuries to support gentle digestion and deliver natural trace mineral cofactors:
Watercress Leaf
Naturally rich in chlorophyll, sulfur compounds, and bioavailable micronutrients that promote internal cleansing.
Dandelion Root
A time-tested bitter botanical that supports liver enzyme production, bile circulation, and healthy gut flora balance.
Alfalfa Leaf
Features deep-reaching root systems that draw deep-earth alkaline minerals, including potassium, calcium, and trace silica.
Parsley Leaf
Provides active flavonoids, apigenin, and natural potassium to support healthy urinary tract filtration and fluid balance.
How to Take: Daily Dosage, Timing, and Practical Tips
To get the best results from your supplement routine, match your dosing schedule to your personal wellness goals:
For Deep Sleep & Muscle Recovery
Take your 3 VegCaps approximately 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime with an 8-ounce glass of water. Magnesium helps activate GABA receptors and quiet nerve excitement, encouraging your mind and body to relax.
For Steady Daily Energy & Digestion
Split your dose: take 1 VegCap with breakfast and 2 VegCaps with dinner. Dividing your intake throughout the day maintains steady mineral levels in your bloodstream and keeps bowel habits consistently smooth.
Professional Pro-Tip: Always drink a full glass of water with your capsules. Citrate works in synergy with hydration to draw moisture into your cells and intestinal tract.
Important Safety Information & Clinical Guidance
While magnesium is a vital daily nutrient, high-dose supplementation requires clear awareness:
Kidney Health: Individuals with kidney disease, impaired renal clearance, or severe cardiac disease should not take supplemental magnesium without direct medical supervision from a licensed physician, as excess minerals may accumulate in the blood.
Medication Spacing: Magnesium can bind to certain medications in the stomach, reducing their effectiveness. Separate magnesium intake by at least 2 to 4 hours from oral antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines), bisphosphonates (osteoporosis medications), and levothyroxine (thyroid hormone).
Bowel Tolerance: If you experience excessively loose stools, simply reduce your daily dose to 1 or 2 capsules until your digestive system adapts, or split the capsules between morning and evening meals.
Pregnancy & Nursing: Always consult your OB-GYN or primary healthcare provider before introducing new dietary supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes Magnesium Citrate different from Magnesium Glycinate?
Both forms offer high absorption, but they excel in different ways. In magnesium citrate, magnesium is bonded to citric acid, making it ideal for muscle relaxation, energy support, and encouraging comfortable bowel regularity. In magnesium glycinate, the mineral is bonded to glycine (a calming amino acid), which is often chosen by people with very sensitive stomachs who prefer zero stool-softening effects.
Will Solaray Magnesium Citrate cause diarrhea or an upset stomach?
When taken as recommended (3 capsules providing 400 mg of magnesium), most adults experience comfortable digestive regularity rather than diarrhea. Unlike high-dose liquid saline laxatives used before medical colonoscopies, these daily capsules release magnesium gradually. If you are sensitive, start with 1 capsule per day and increase slowly to find your ideal digestive balance.
When is the best time of day to take these capsules?
You can take it whenever it best fits your routine. If you want relief from evening leg cramps and assistance winding down for deep sleep, take your full dose 45 minutes before bed. If you are looking for general vitality, post-workout muscle recovery, and steady digestive regularity, take 1 capsule with each meal.
How long does it take to feel results?
Digestive regularity and mild muscle calming can be felt within 6 to 12 hours. However, rebuilding depleted intracellular magnesium stores inside your bones, heart, and muscle tissue takes consistent daily supplementation over 4 to 8 weeks.
Why are herbs like parsley and dandelion root included in this formula?
Solaray incorporates a proprietary botanical base consisting of watercress, dandelion root, alfalfa, and parsley. These whole food plants naturally carry trace minerals, chlorophyll, and flavonoids that aid gentle stomach breakdown and provide supportive co-factors just as nature intended.
Is this product vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO?
Yes. Solaray Magnesium Citrate utilizes 100% vegetarian cellulose capsules (VegCaps) and an organic rice extract blend. It contains no animal gelatin, artificial preservatives, gluten, soy, or dairy.
Scientific References & Authoritative Literature
Lindberg JS, Zobitz MM, Poindexter JR, Pak CY. (1990). Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 9(1):48-55.
Walker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M. (2003). Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study. Magnesium Research, 16(3):183-191.
Kappeler D, Heimbeck I, Michalke B, et al. (2017). Higher bioavailability of magnesium citrate as compared to magnesium oxide shown by evaluation of urinary excretion and serum levels after single-dose administration in a randomized cross-over study. BMC Nutrition, 3:7.
DiNicolantonio JJ, O'Keefe JH, Wilson W. (2018). Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart, 5(1):e000668.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
