Trimagnesium Dicitrate vs Magnesium Citrate, which one Suits You?

Composition

Magnesium citrates are metal-organic compounds formed from citrate and magnesium ions. Magnesium citrate generally refers to the 1:1 magnesium preparation in salt form with citric acid in a 1:1 ratio (1 magnesium atom per citrate molecule). It contains 11.33% magnesium by weight.  Trimagnesium dicitrate is a specific form of magnesium citrate, featuring three magnesium ions bound to two citrate molecules, offers a high concentration (~15–16%) of magnesium.

Uses

Magnesium citrates is used medicinally as a saline laxative and to empty the bowel before major surgery or a colonoscopy. It is also used in the pill form as a magnesium dietary supplement. As a food additive, magnesium citrate is used to regulate acidity.

Magnesium citrates work by attracting water through the tissues by a process known as osmosis. Once in the intestine, it can attract enough water into the intestine to induce defecation.

Dosage

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 400-420 milligrams (mg) per day for adult men, and 310-320 mg per day for adult women. Women who are pregnant may increase this amount to 350-360 mg per day.

A normal diet will provide most of the RDA for magnesium, so most magnesium citrates supplement only recommend taking 250 mg/day. However, higher doses may be suggested if you are using magnesium citrate as a laxative or as an antacid. According to the applicant, trimagnesium dicitrate is proposed for use as a stabiliser and anticaking agent at the typical use level of 30,000–50,000 mg/kg and at a maximum level (ML) of 50,000–120,000 mg/kg, depending on the type of preparation for which the additive is intended to be used^[1].

How to Choose?

Magnesium citrate (1:1) and trimagnesium dicitrate, both are considered highly bioavailable compared to inorganic salts like magnesium oxide. Trimagnesium dicitrate is preferred in daily life due to higher concentration (less, smaller capsules) and good absorption. Magnesium citrate is commonly used for higher-volume, rapid-acting laxative products.

Reference

[1] Additives, E. P. F., & Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS). (2016). Safety of trimagnesium dicitrate anhydrous (TMDC) to be used as a food additive in food supplements in solid and chewable forms. 14 11.

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