Magnesium

Single-ingredient magnesium reference formula at 400 mg per serving, developed as a capsule, tablet or powder.

Magnesium is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient magnesium product around a default amount of 400 mg of elemental magnesium. The formula lists magnesium as the only active ingredient, so the development work centers on the magnesium salt, the elemental content of that salt and the number of units needed to deliver the amount.

The default amount is 400 mg of elemental magnesium per serving, and capsule is the lead format. Tablet and powder versions use the same elemental target with different salt and excipient choices, because the mass of raw material per serving changes by a factor of four between the lightest and heaviest salts.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Magnesium400 mg (default amount)Magnesium oxide (MgO) for capsules and tablets, specification 400 mg elemental magnesium per serving; magnesium citrate for powdersMagnesium glycinate (bisglycinate), magnesium citrate or magnesium oxide, each with the input calculated to the same 400 mg of elemental magnesium

Amounts are stated as mg of elemental magnesium (Mg, 24.305 g/mol; PubChem CID 5462224). The elemental share of each salt comes from its molecular weight: magnesium oxide (MgO, 40.305 g/mol; CID 14792) carries one magnesium atom, magnesium citrate (C12H10Mg3O14, 451.12 g/mol; CID 6099959) carries three, and magnesium glycinate (C4H8MgN2O4, 172.42 g/mol; CID 84645) carries one. Hydration state of the salt is set with the supplier.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around everyday magnesium intake in the vitamins and minerals category. Magnesium is included as the single active so that the amount and the salt can be set without interaction with other actives.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Daily magnesium intakeMagnesiumIncluded as an essential element and cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Salt selection for absorptionMagnesium oxide, citrate, glycinateIn a randomized, double-blind study, the organic forms (citrate and amino-acid chelate) showed greater absorption at 60 days than oxide [2]; a separate study measured fractional absorption of oxide at 4% and found chloride, lactate and aspartate higher [3]. Evidence: Referenced

The design sets the elemental amount first and chooses the salt around it. Brands that prefer a more absorbable organic salt accept a larger raw material mass per serving, and brands that prefer a compact unit accept oxide.

Available Formats

Three formats can be developed from this reference formula. Counts per pack are open to the brand’s own range.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Capsule2 capsules400 mg120 capsules (60 servings)Gelatin or cellulose shell, flow agent, magnesium stearateLead format; oxide salt split over two capsules
Tablet2 tablets400 mg120 tablets (60 servings)Cellulose, disintegrant, flow agent, magnesium stearateCompact oxide tablets
Powder1 stick pack400 mg30 stick packsDiluent, acidulant, sweetener, flavorCitrate salt for a drink mix

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The input is the labeled elemental amount divided by the elemental share of the salt (MgO 60.3%, magnesium citrate 16.2%, magnesium glycinate 14.1%, from the molecular weights above), with the raw material assumed at 100% assay.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Capsule332 mg magnesium oxide per capsule (664 mg per serving)450 mg per capsule118 mgPowder flow, fill weight variation, content assay
Tablet332 mg magnesium oxide per tablet (664 mg per serving)500 mg per tablet168 mgCompression behavior, hardness, disintegration, content assay
Powder2475 mg magnesium citrate per stick5000 mg per stick2525 mgDissolution, taste, moisture pickup, content assay

Softgel and liquid versions are separate projects: oxide and citrate salts are not oil soluble and a liquid needs a soluble salt system of its own. A glycinate version needs about 2840 mg of salt per serving at the same elemental amount, so it is developed as a separate multi-capsule project.

Formulation Considerations

Elemental amount versus salt mass. The labeled 400 mg is elemental magnesium, but the mass that goes into the unit depends on the salt: about 664 mg for oxide, 2475 mg for citrate and 2840 mg for glycinate at 100% assay. This is why the salt is chosen before the format, and why the same elemental amount needs two capsules in one case and a 5000 mg stick pack in another.
Salt and absorption. Oxide is the compact choice, while the cited studies measured poor absorption for oxide and higher absorption for citrate, chelate, chloride, lactate and aspartate [2][3]. The brand chooses between a compact unit and a more absorbable salt, and the choice drives pack count and price.
Bulk and flow of the salt. At 332 mg per capsule or tablet in a 450–500 mg unit, the salt makes up most of the fill, so powder density, flow and lubricant level decide fill weight variation and tablet hardness. The grade of oxide (light or heavy) is set with the supplier.
Taste in powders. A citrate stick pack at 2475 mg of salt per serving needs an acidulant, sweetener and flavor system that covers the salty-sour profile of the salt, tested for dissolution in water.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the elemental amount, the magnesium salt, the format and the unit count.

ParameterRangeNote
Amount per serving200, 250, 400 or 500 mg elementalOptions for the brand; salt mass changes with the amount
Magnesium saltOxide, citrate, glycinateSets the elemental share, input mass and unit count
FormatCapsule, tablet or stick-pack powderSoftgel and liquid are separate projects
Capsule shellGelatin or celluloseSet by the brand’s label requirements
Add-onsCalcium, vitamin D, vitamin B6Each addition changes the blend and is a separate project

The pilot run confirms the elemental content of the first units against the labeled 400 mg, the fill weight and flow of the chosen salt, and tablet hardness and disintegration where tablets are chosen.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
PowderLemon, orange, berryCitrus and berry profiles cover the sour and salty notes of magnesium citrate

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (400 mg on the label of CF008290; example DSLD labels 62795, 184375, 202691). The label names the ingredient as magnesium; magnesium oxide is set as the capsule and tablet salt and magnesium citrate as the powder salt.
SpecificationSet in formulationElemental magnesium 400 mg per serving; salt identity, elemental content and purity limits and method are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Schwalfenberg GK, Genuis SJ. The importance of magnesium in clinical healthcare. Scientifica (Cairo). 2017;2017:4179326. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Walker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M. Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study. Magnes Res. 2003;16(3):183–191. PubMed<br>[3] Firoz M, Graber M. Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations. Magnes Res. 2001;14(4):257–262. PubMed

Related products

OEM/ODM Development Inquiry

Essencefield supports custom supplement formulation and OEM/ODM development, including ingredient selection, dosage adjustments, delivery formats, flavors, packaging, and commercial supply. Submit your project requirements below to explore customization options, sample development, and manufacturing solutions tailored to your brand and target market.