Why are oral magnesium supplements so difficult to absorb for most people?
There are two primary reasons. The first, is that meaningful quantities of elemental magnesium from dietary supplements have a tendency to create a laxative effect in the majority of users, which reduces transit time through the bowels. There is good evidence to indicate that absorption of magnesium is impaired when the transit time through the bowels is less than 12 hours. Second, is that the percentage of magnesium absorbed is inversely proportionate to the amount of magnesium being consumed in a single dose (i.e. the more you take, the smaller percentage you actually assimilate). These two factors taken together equate to a less-than-efficient method of restoring cellular magnesium levels in the body.
