What are the ingredients in Solgar magnesium?

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, the average absorption rate of magnesium varies greatly depending on its form. Solgar, a well-regarded supplement brand, offers several magnesium formulations, and the specific ingredients in Solgar magnesium products vary depending on the type you choose. This variation is crucial for consumers to understand in order to select the best option for their health needs.

Quick Summary

Solgar uses different magnesium forms, including citrate, glycinate, and chelated blends, each with varying primary ingredients and fillers. Key components often include magnesium citrate or glycinate, along with excipients like microcrystalline cellulose and vegetable magnesium stearate.

Key Points

Diverse Formulations: Solgar uses different forms of magnesium (e.g., citrate, glycinate, chelate) in its products, each with unique ingredients and absorption profiles.
Magnesium Citrate Ingredients: Includes magnesium citrate, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, and vegetable magnesium stearate.
Chelated Magnesium Ingredients: Features a blend of magnesium bisglycinate and oxide, microcrystalline cellulose, and vegetable-based binders.
Magnesium Glycinate Ingredients: Contains magnesium diglycinate within a simple vegetable capsule, often with fewer additional fillers.
Excipients and Additives: All tablets and capsules use supplementary ingredients like cellulose, glycerin, and anti-caking agents to ensure product integrity and stability.
Bioavailability Varies: Different forms have different absorption rates and side effects; citrate is highly soluble, while glycinate is known for being gentler on the stomach.
Purpose-Specific Formulas: Solgar tailors its ingredients to provide benefits like digestive support (citrate) or calming effects (glycinate), allowing consumers to choose based on their needs.

Core Ingredients in Solgar Magnesium Supplements

Solgar offers a range of magnesium supplements, and the ingredients differ based on the specific product. Understanding the distinct formulations helps consumers choose the best option for their needs.

Magnesium Citrate Tablets

Solgar's Magnesium Citrate tablets feature magnesium bound to citric acid, a form known for good absorption. The primary ingredient is magnesium citrate, supported by a blend of excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, and vegetable magnesium stearate. Additional components may include hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, titanium dioxide, vegetable glycerin, and cellulose gum.

Chelated Magnesium Tablets

The Chelated Magnesium tablets utilize a patented process to bond magnesium with glycine, resulting in a highly bioavailable form. Key ingredients include magnesium (as bisglycinate and oxide). Excipients often present are microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, vegetable glycerin, carnauba wax, and cellulose gum.

Magnesium Glycinate Vegetable Capsules

Solgar's Magnesium Glycinate is presented in vegetable capsules, a formulation recognized for its excellent absorption and minimal digestive discomfort. The primary ingredient is magnesium (as diglycinate). The capsule shell is made from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and L-Ascorbyl Palmitate is included as an antioxidant. This formulation typically has a simpler ingredient list compared to the tablets.

Understanding the Additional Ingredients

Supplements contain additional ingredients, called excipients, for purposes like manufacturing, stability, and absorption. Common excipients in Solgar magnesium products include bulking agents (microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate), anti-caking agents (silicon dioxide, vegetable magnesium stearate), and glazing agents (hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, vegetable glycerin, titanium dioxide). It is important to review the specific product label as formulations can vary.

Ingredient Comparison Table


Feature	Solgar Magnesium Citrate	Solgar Chelated Magnesium	Solgar Magnesium Glycinate	Solgar Magnesium with B6
Primary Magnesium Form	Magnesium Citrate	Magnesium Bisglycinate/Oxide	Magnesium Bisglycinate	Magnesium Oxide
Key Additional Active	N/A	N/A	N/A	Vitamin B6
Bioavailability	High (for digestive health)	Very High (gentle on stomach)	High (for relaxation/sleep)	Poor (most laxative effect)
Bulking Agents	Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate	Microcrystalline Cellulose	Microcrystalline Cellulose	Microcrystalline Cellulose
Coating	Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose, Vegetable Glycerin	Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Vegetable Glycerin, Carnauba Wax	Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose (Capsule)	Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose, Vegetable Glycerin
Common Use	Constipation relief, general supplementation	Nerve, muscle, and bone health; gentle on stomach	Relaxation, sleep, and anxiety relief	General supplementation, added B6 for nerve function

The Role of Excipients and Bioavailability

While the magnesium form is key, excipients also contribute to the product's effectiveness and usability. Solgar often uses vegetable-derived ingredients. The choice of binders, fillers, and coatings helps ensure a stable and digestible product. The form of magnesium significantly impacts how well the body absorbs it.

For instance, while Chelated Magnesium contains magnesium oxide, its chelation with glycine significantly improves absorption compared to magnesium oxide alone. Magnesium Citrate is highly soluble and well-absorbed but may have a laxative effect at higher doses, unlike the gentler glycinate form. Consumers should consider these differences based on their individual needs.

Conclusion

The ingredients in Solgar magnesium supplements vary by product, with formulations designed for specific health goals. The core ingredient is the particular form of magnesium, such as Citrate, Chelated, or Glycinate, each having distinct properties for absorption and use. These are complemented by various excipients like bulking, anti-caking, and glazing agents. By understanding these ingredient differences, consumers can make informed decisions about which Solgar magnesium supplement aligns best with their health needs. Always check the specific product label for the most accurate ingredient information.

Visit the official Solgar website for specific product information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in the form of magnesium used. Solgar offers forms like citrate, chelated (bisglycinate), and glycinate, each with different absorption characteristics and targeted benefits, such as digestive support or promoting relaxation.

Solgar's brand commitment generally focuses on using quality, natural ingredients and avoiding artificial flavors or sweeteners. Most formulations use vegetable-based components and are often gluten, dairy, and soy-free.

Solgar Magnesium Glycinate is typically recommended for relaxation and sleep due to its high bioavailability and gentle effect on the digestive system, as well as the calming properties associated with the amino acid glycine.

Solgar's chelated magnesium often contains magnesium bisglycinate (bound to two glycine molecules), but may also include some magnesium oxide for concentration. While similar in function and absorption, they may have slight formulation differences based on the product.

Yes, for the most accurate information, you should check the product label or the official Solgar website for the specific product you are interested in. Ingredient lists can vary slightly between products and markets.

Excipients are non-active ingredients in supplements. They act as bulking agents (e.g., cellulose), anti-caking agents (e.g., silicon dioxide), and glazing agents (e.g., vegetable glycerin) to create a stable tablet or capsule and ensure a consistent product.

Magnesium bisglycinate, as found in Solgar's Chelated and Glycinate products, is known for its very high bioavailability and excellent absorption, especially for those with sensitive stomachs.