What Is Magnesium Taurate? Form, Labels and How It Compares
Magnesium taurate is magnesium bound to the amino acid taurine. It carries less magnesium by weight than most common forms, which changes how many capsules a serving needs. Here is how to read a taurate label.
Quick answer
Magnesium taurate is magnesium bound to taurine, an amino acid. It is only about 9% magnesium by weight, so 1,000mg of the compound supplies roughly 90mg of magnesium. That makes the elemental figure on the Supplement Facts panel, and the number of capsules per serving, especially important when comparing taurate products.
Magnesium taurate is one of the less common magnesium forms on the shelf, and one of the most heavily marketed. This guide sticks to what is known: what it is, how much magnesium it actually supplies, and how to compare it fairly with other forms.
What is magnesium taurate?
Supplements bind magnesium to a partner molecule to keep it stable. In magnesium taurate, the partner is taurine, an amino acid found naturally in meat, fish and dairy and made in small amounts by the body. Labels may say magnesium taurate or magnesium taurinate.
Claims that the taurine in a taurate supplement adds a separate benefit go beyond what research on finished supplements has established. Its job, from a label point of view, is to supply magnesium.
How much magnesium is in magnesium taurate?
Approximately 9% by weight. Taurine is a relatively heavy partner molecule, so a smaller share of the compound is magnesium.
| Magnesium taurate (compound) | Approx. elemental magnesium | % of 420mg Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| 500mg | ~45mg | ~11% |
| 1,000mg | ~90mg | ~21% |
| 1,500mg | ~135mg | ~32% |
| 2,000mg | ~180mg | ~43% |
These are estimates from molecular weight. The "Magnesium" line on a US Supplement Facts panel gives the exact elemental figure for a finished product. See what is elemental magnesium.
How taurate compares with other common forms
| Form | Approx. elemental magnesium | What it is paired with |
|---|---|---|
| Oxide | ~60% | Oxygen |
| Citrate | ~16% | Citric acid |
| Malate | ~15% | Malic acid |
| Glycinate | ~14% | Glycine |
| Taurate | ~9% | Taurine |
A low elemental percentage is not good or bad in itself. It simply means more compound, and usually more capsules, for the same amount of magnesium. Absorption and tolerability are separate questions, and direct comparison research involving taurate in people is limited. For the full set, see the 8 forms of magnesium explained, or compare malate vs glycinate and glycinate vs citrate.
What to check on a magnesium taurate label
- Elemental magnesium per serving. Front labels often show the compound weight, which for taurate is roughly eleven times the magnesium it supplies.
- Capsules per serving. Because taurate is low in magnesium per gram, multi-capsule servings are common. This decides how long a bottle lasts; see how long a 90-capsule bottle lasts.
- Other magnesium forms in the ingredient list. A product named for taurate may get part of its magnesium from another form.
- Cost per day, worked out from price, capsules per bottle and capsules per serving. See how to compare magnesium supplements.
- Total magnesium from all supplements against the 350mg adult supplemental upper limit.
Who should ask a professional first
Speak with a healthcare professional before taking any magnesium supplement if you have kidney disease, are pregnant or nursing, take prescription medicines, or already use another magnesium-containing product, including some antacids and laxatives. See magnesium side effects and safety.
Where Alurevia fits
Alurevia Magnesium Complex includes magnesium taurate as one of eight named forms. It is not a taurate-led product: magnesium oxide is listed first and is the primary source, alongside glycinate, malate, taurate, citrate, carbonate, aspartate and orotate. One capsule provides 500mg elemental magnesium, which is above the 350mg adult supplemental upper limit, so discuss suitability with a healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
What is magnesium taurate?
Magnesium bound to the amino acid taurine. It is used in standalone products and in multi-form magnesium formulas.
How much elemental magnesium is in magnesium taurate?
About 9% by weight, so 1,000mg of the compound supplies roughly 90mg of magnesium. Check the Supplement Facts panel for the exact figure in a finished product.
Is magnesium taurate better than glycinate?
There is no strong human evidence that one is better than the other. Taurate carries less magnesium per gram, so a product may need more capsules to supply the same amount.
Does Alurevia contain magnesium taurate?
Yes, as one of eight named forms. Magnesium oxide is the primary source.
Source
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
This article is general supplement education and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare professional before starting a supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.
