
Our method
Magnesium plays an important role in our body in the transmission of stimuli between nerves and muscles. The mineral also contributes to the relaxation of the muscles and, like the vitamin-like orotic acid, is decisively involved in energy metabolism. Magnesium orotate combines these two substances and makes use of their properties. Magnesium orotate is often used for problems with the cardiovascular system. By improving vascular health, it is said to support patients' medication and thus lead to a better quality of life. In our magnesium orotate test 2022, we explain the essential functions of magnesium and explain when and why magnesium orotate preparations are used.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 Summary
- 3 The Best Magnesium Orotate: Our Picks
- 4 Buying and evaluation criteria for magnesium orotate
- 5 Guide: Frequently asked questions about magnesium orotate answered in detail
- 5.1 What is magnesium and what is its function in the body?
- 5.2 Is it possible to suffer from a magnesium deficiency?
- 5.3 What is magnesium orotate and how does it work?
- 5.4 What are the possible side effects of magnesium orotate?
- 5.5 When and for whom is it useful to take magnesium orotate?
- 5.6 Can magnesium orotate be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
- 5.7 What are the recommended magnesium levels for humans?
- 5.8 What types of magnesium orotate supplements are there?
- 5.9 What alternatives are there to magnesium orotate?
- 5.10 What role does potassium play in the absorption of magnesium orotate?
Summary
- Magnesium is responsible for many metabolic processes in the human body. As an electrolyte, it is also important for the transmission of impulses in the nervous system.
- If you do not reach your daily requirement over a longer period of time, it can become difficult to balance your needs purely through food. The same applies to times of increased need, such as during pregnancy.
- If you are interested in magnesium orotate to supplement your needs, you should first discuss this with your doctor. He or she will first determine your magnesium levels and know about possible interactions.
The Best Magnesium Orotate: Our Picks
Buying and evaluation criteria for magnesium orotate
When buying magnesium orotate, you can pay attention to various aspects, such as:
By making the right choice for you, you can save money and also ensure that you don't give your body anything it doesn't need. Therefore, always look for high quality and inform yourself about the manufacturer.
Dosage form
Magnesium orotate can be taken in various forms. Depending on whether you prefer powder, capsules or tablets, you will choose one or the other product. Here we have put together a small table with the different options for you. You will also find a short description of the respective dosage form.
Dosage form | Short description |
---|---|
Tablets | They are pressed from granules and easy to swallow. |
Capsules | Capsules usually contain gelatine. They dissolve in the stomach and release the active ingredient there. |
Powder granules | magnesium orotate is powder-like in the form of granules. |
The administration method is similar for these 3 forms of administration. If you are particularly interested in a vegetarian or vegan product, you will have to look more closely at a capsule product. Capsules are often made from gelatine and may contain lactose.
Purity
In order to produce magnesium orotate that is as pure as possible, various separation processes are used. The aim is to obtain a product with the highest possible content of magnesium orotate.
A purity level of over 80 percent is considered good.
Possible impurities must be distinguished from a possible mixture of substances. For example, there are sometimes combination preparations available for purchase that contain other compounds in addition to magnesium orotate.
Dosage
How much magnesium powder is contained in a unit is usually given in milligrams. The dosage recommendation of the product tells you how many individual units to take. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions. It is often recommended to take several portions throughout the day. This is because when it comes to magnesium, the body's absorption capacity is limited.
Sometimes the standard dose has to be adjusted. - Therefore, discuss the dose with your doctor beforehand.
Accordingly, it is not unusual to take several, smaller doses over the course of a day to cover your daily needs. Since the correct dosage depends on many factors, you should always seek medical advice before taking it. Depending on age, weight and the condition of certain bodily functions, it may be necessary to adjust the standard dose.
Package size
If you are planning to take the drug for a longer period of time, you may want to consider buying a pack with as many doses as possible. With such value packs you can often save a few euros and stockpiling is easier.
In the long run, you can save money with value packs.
If you want to try out several products at first, we advise you to choose small packs. Unfortunately, the products do not have an infinite shelf life.
Guide: Frequently asked questions about magnesium orotate answered in detail
In order to inform you comprehensively about the effectiveness of magnesium orotate and to give you an understanding of the current state of science, we have summarised all the important information for you in the following sections.
What is magnesium and what is its function in the body?
Below are 4 of the central functions of magnesium. Some of them are used by doctors to support the therapy of certain diseases by taking magnesium. In some cases, magnesium can alleviate symptoms. It is also used as a preventive measure to prevent certain diseases (1, 2).
Ensuring muscle function and muscle relaxation
The mineral and electrolyte magnesium is responsible for relaxing the muscles. Magnesium acts as a kind of "counterpart" to calcium, which is also both a mineral and an electrolyte, and thus a conductor. A balanced electrolyte balance is important to maintain the healthy function of muscles. Among other things, the mineral magnesium enables communication between nerves and muscles (3).
Ensuring bone health
Even though relatively little magnesium is stored in our bones, it is important for maintaining healthy bones. Those who had too low magnesium concentrations in their blood when they were young often suffer from osteoporosis (4, 5).
Activation of cell fuel
Magnesium activates the cellular fuel ATP in our body. On the one hand, magnesium is involved in its synthesis, and on the other hand, in its storage and release (2).
Activation of enzymes
Magnesium also activates about 600 different enzymes in its function as a co-enzyme. Magnesium is therefore jointly responsible for many reactions that would otherwise not be possible (2).
Is it possible to suffer from a magnesium deficiency?
Possible causes of magnesium deficiency
In principle, a wide variety of conditions can lead to a magnesium deficiency. These different factors can also occur in combination.
- Disturbed electrolyte balance (e.g. diarrhoea / vomiting)
- Fluid loss due to fever
- Increased magnesium requirement (e.g. pregnancy / breastfeeding)
- Failed communication between nerve and muscle during sports
- Unbalanced diet low in magnesium
A balanced diet can counteract a magnesium deficiency. Unfortunately, however, this is not always enough. Once the body is severely deficient in magnesium, it is not easy to bring the magnesium level back to the target value through food alone.
Possible signs of magnesium deficiency
Observable symptoms of a magnesium deficiency can be the following:
- Muscle twitching (e.g. eyelid)
- Calf and muscle cramps
- Muscle tension
- Numbness / tingling in parts of the body such as fingers or individual muscles
Even if excess magnesium is in principle excreted from our body, an overdose is conceivable. This can be the case if the excretion mechanism does not function correctly. As with a deficiency, a chronic overdose will also lead to corresponding complaints (8, 9).
What is magnesium orotate and how does it work?
Magnesium orotate is considered to be well tolerated.
Thanks to its positive effects, it is often used in patients with cardiovascular problems. These include, for example, heart failure patients and patients with cardiac arrhythmias (11, 12). The low magnesium content compared to other magnesium compounds is probably partly responsible for the relatively good tolerability of magnesium orotate.
What are the possible side effects of magnesium orotate?
(Image source: Emma Simpson / Unsplash)
Common side effects tend to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Taking magnesium can typically cause soft stools and even diarrhoea. The tolerance of magnesium can vary from person to person.
When and for whom is it useful to take magnesium orotate?
(Image source: jesse orrico / unsplash)
Taking potassium, another mineral, can increase the absorption of the magnesium compound by acting as a vasodilator. This should further enhance the effect of the magnesium supplement. These properties of potassium also play an important role in your blood pressure (16). Before taking magnesium orotate, however, you should always consult a doctor and discuss the question of dosage with him or her. This is especially true if you are already taking medication. Only a doctor should coordinate different medications with each other.
Can magnesium orotate be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
The study also found no negative effects on a positive course of pregnancy and the successful birth of the children. In fact, the magnesium requirement is considered to be increased during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is therefore gratifying that there are also particularly suitable preparations for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers on the market.
What are the recommended magnesium levels for humans?
Life stage | magnesium in milligrams/day |
---|---|
Infant | 24 - 60 |
Children | 80 - 310 |
Adults | 300 - 400 |
Pregnant women | 310 |
Breastfeeding | 390 |
Children's needs are on a spectrum. At the latest during puberty, their needs then equalise with those of adults. Foods that are particularly rich in magnesium include soft drinks, various nuts and wholemeal and dairy products.
What types of magnesium orotate supplements are there?
Type | Description |
---|---|
Monopreparations | Consists of 1 active substance. Various excipients are possible. |
Combination preparations | Other substances such as vitamins and minerals are conceivable. |
This means combination preparations, on the other hand, contain several substances with their own effect.
Magnesium orotate as a monopreparation
A monopreparation is not a mixture of medicinal substances. The production process is limited to just one active ingredient.
Certain excipients that do not have a pharmacological effect remain necessary in some cases in the production of the preparation.
Magnesium orotate as a combination preparation
Special combination preparations can contain other minerals or vitamins. These are sometimes very highly dosed.
Your doctor is the best person to tell you which substances you really need. He or she will also be able to alert you to certain interactions. Because more substances can potentially mean more interactions in the body.
What alternatives are there to magnesium orotate?
Alternative | Brief description |
---|---|
Magnesium carbonate | Inorganic, Slow but steady absorption |
Magnesium citrate | Organic, Particularly high bioavailability as well as tolerance |
Magnesiumglycinate | Organic, Particularly well tolerated due to binding to amino acid |
Magnesiummalate | Organic, Good solubility and relatively high bioavailability |
Magnesium oxide | Inorganic, Relatively low bioavailability and mild laxative effect |
Magnesium sulphate | Inorganic, Average bioavailability and strong laxative effect |
The choice of the right magnesium compound depends largely on the complaints experienced. This is because the substances with which magnesium can form a compound are more or less suitable for a specific complaint.
What role does potassium play in the absorption of magnesium orotate?
Image source: Suria/ 123rf
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