NOW Foods Magnesium 500mg 120 Veg Capsules

What this is

NOW Foods Magnesium 500 mg is a dietary supplement sold in a bottle of 120 veg capsules, with a serving size of one capsule. Each capsule supplies 500 mg of elemental magnesium drawn from three separate magnesium compounds — magnesium oxide, magnesium bisglycinate and magnesium citrate. The front of the bottle carries the NOW wordmark, a Non-GMO seal and the line "Vegetarian/Vegan", and the band across the side panel reads "Minerals", which is where you will find it in our Minerals section. Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral, which is why it carries a Daily Value on the panel rather than the dagger footnote used for ingredients that have none.

Three magnesium forms in one capsule

The panel names all three sources in a single bracketed line: magnesium oxide, magnesium bisglycinate (Albion™) and magnesium citrate. Each is a different compound, and the differences are chemical rather than cosmetic.

• Magnesium oxide is magnesium bonded to oxygen. Of the magnesium compounds in common supplement use it carries the highest proportion of magnesium by weight, which is why it appears frequently in higher-strength capsules.
• Magnesium bisglycinate (Albion™) is a chelate. The "bis" in the name is literal: two molecules of the amino acid glycine are bonded to a single magnesium atom. The panel states that Albion™ is a trademark of Balchem Corporation or its subsidiaries, so the raw material is identified by supplier as well as by chemistry.
• Magnesium citrate pairs magnesium with citric acid, the same acid that occurs naturally in citrus fruit. Citric acid turns up a second time further down the label, listed in its own right among the other ingredients.

One thing the panel does not do is split the 500 mg between the three forms. It prints a single combined figure for elemental magnesium, so the ratio of oxide to bisglycinate to citrate is not disclosed, and this page does not estimate it. The 119% figure in the right-hand column is straightforward arithmetic: the Daily Value used on US supplement labels for magnesium is 420 mg, and 500 mg measured against that reference comes to 119%. For general background on the mineral itself, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements magnesium fact sheet is the standard consumer reference, and the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database lets you compare printed panels across brands.

Supplement Facts

Other ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Silicon Dioxide and Citric Acid.

What else is in the capsule

Four other ingredients are printed, and each has a plain manufacturing job. Hypromellose is the capsule shell itself — a plant-derived cellulose material, which is what lets the front of the pack print "Vegetarian/Vegan". Stearic acid is a fatty acid, and the panel specifies a vegetable source; along with silicon dioxide it keeps the powder flowing evenly and stops it caking during capsule filling. Citric acid completes the list. There is no artificial colorant among them, and the label notes in its own words that "Natural color variation may occur in this product."

How to use it

The label's Suggested Usage reads: "Take 1 capsule daily with food." That is the whole of the printed direction — the panel gives no separate time of day and no alternative larger serving, so one capsule with a meal is both the serving size and the suggested daily amount. For storage the label says to keep the bottle in a cool, dry place after opening. If you want to understand how supplement labels are allowed to describe themselves, the FDA's page on structure/function claims explains the rules behind the asterisked lines you see on packaging of this kind.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults 18 and over who want magnesium in a swallowable capsule rather than a tablet or a mixable powder. The one-capsule serving is the distinguishing feature of this particular bottle within the wider Supplements range: some magnesium products ask for two or three pieces to reach their stated amount, and this label states its 500 mg against a single capsule. The printed "Vegetarian/Vegan" line and the hypromellose shell make it relevant to people avoiding gelatin, and the allergen statement below matters to anyone shopping the Health & Wellness aisle with a restriction to work around. The NIH overview of what to know about dietary supplements is a sensible starting point if this is your first time buying one.

Good to know

The bottle's printed caution is short and is reproduced here in full: "For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children."

The allergen statement reads: "Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens."

On manufacturing and packaging, the label states that the product is "Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients", gives the maker as NOW Foods of Bloomingdale, Illinois, and carries a GMP Quality Assured seal on the bottle alongside the description "Family and Employee Owned". The container itself is described on the side panel as made from 100% PCR — post-consumer recycled — resin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much magnesium is in one capsule?

One capsule supplies 500 mg of elemental magnesium, printed as 119% of the Daily Value. The serving size on the panel is one veg capsule, so a serving and a capsule are the same thing here, and the bottle holds 120 of them.

Which forms of magnesium does it use?

Three: magnesium oxide, magnesium bisglycinate (Albion™) and magnesium citrate. The panel lists them together in one bracketed line under the elemental magnesium figure and does not state how much of the 500 mg comes from each.

Is the capsule suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes — the front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan", and the capsule shell is hypromellose, a plant-derived cellulose rather than gelatin. The panel also specifies that the stearic acid is from a vegetable source.

What is it made without?

The label states it is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. It adds that production takes place in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing those allergens, which is a shared-facility notice rather than a certified-free statement.

How is the order packaged for delivery?

Orders ship in plain, unbranded outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

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. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.