Magnesium malate combines magnesium with malic acid. Malic acid sits inside the Krebs cycle, the chain of reactions your body uses to make energy. People often take this form when they want a magnesium supplement that also supports cellular energy production.
This pairing is not proven to absorb better than other magnesium salts, like citrate or glycinate. Take magnesium malate with food. Food helps reduce the chance of stomach upset and loose stools.
High doses pull water into the bowel and can cause digestive discomfort. Magnesium also binds to certain antibiotics (tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones) and to bisphosphonate drugs, so separate dosing times by at least two hours. Anyone with reduced kidney function should speak with a clinician before starting any magnesium supplement.