The Problem with Magnesium Tablets (And Why Magnesium Capsules Are Better)
Written by Matt O'Connor, Certified Nutritionist & Founder of Honour Health
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Should you buy your magnesium supplement as a capsule, or should you buy it as a hard tablet (the ones with the smooth, shiny surface)?
If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, our recommendation is to always look to brands that use capsules for their magnesium supplement.
And the main reason for this, is because of the amount of digestive effort it takes to break down capsules versus hard tablets.
The problem with hard tablets
In essence, a hard tablet is magnesium powder that is bound and stuck together with a range of binders and fillers, that is compressed under serious force to give it a hard tablet shape.
They’re actually the cheapest to make & the easiest to manufacture.
But one of the main issues we have with hard tablets, is it actually takes a lot of effort for your body to break down & use the magnesium that's in a hard tablet.
Your digestive system has to break down all the binders, all the additives & effectively, pull apart the compression to release the magnesium for its intended benefit.
If you have a healthy digestive system, this process shouldn’t be much of a problem.
But for anyone with digestive issues, especially in older demographics (you produce less stomach acid & your digestive system becomes less efficient as you age).
It’s going to be harder for your body to properly digest & use the magnesium that’s included in a hard tablet.
If a hard tablet is not fully broken down, then less of the magnesium is actually absorbed in your small intestines (the main part of your digestive system where magnesium is absorbed).
Which means a lot of the magnesium can pass right through your digestive system, and quite simply, go to waste.
One of the main reasons that I believe supplements can have the stereotype of being ineffective & or you’re just wasting your money on expensive pee!
Compare that to a magnesium capsule
Now if we compare that to a capsule, capsules, especially if you're buying from a good quality brand, will mostly just be the active ingredient, like magnesium.
And maybe 1 or 2 flowing agents that help ensure the ingredients can flow through the machines and not stick and clump together during the encapsulation process.
Capsules normally take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes to be broken down in our digestive system (which is a completely normal time).
And because your body doesn’t have to go to as much effort to break down a capsule.
More of the magnesium can pass through your intestinal wall & be absorbed into your bloodstream.
It still takes effort to break down a capsule.
But nowhere near the amount of effort compared to a hard tablet.
Especially for those people who have any digestive issues.
So by always aligning with brands that use magnesium supplements as capsules, you're giving your body the best chance to absorb as much of the magnesium as possible.
Which should always be the goal, because the more magnesium you absorb, the more benefit you experience.
Always choose capsules
There are a long list of other reasons why, as a brand, we always avoid hard tablets, including the amount of additives they use & the lack of quality and care that actually goes into making hard tablet supplements.
But for now, when you're stuck between a choice … a brand that uses hard tablets (the ones with the smooth, shiny surface), or a brand that uses capsules.
Always align with the brand that uses capsules as their primary form.
The information provided here is for general informational purposes only & should not be considered as professional medical advice or a substitute for consulting with a healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Remember to always read the label & follow the directions for use.