What vitamin helps with the absorption of magnesium?

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Last updated: May 28, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Vitamin B6 is the key vitamin that helps with the absorption of magnesium in the body, as evidenced by a study that showed the combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation had a greater benefit on stress reduction in healthy adults with low magnesemia and severe stress 1. When considering the absorption of magnesium, it's essential to look at the relationship between magnesium and other nutrients.

  • Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production, muscle function, and nervous system regulation.
  • The combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 has been shown to have a greater benefit on stress reduction in healthy adults with low magnesemia and severe stress, as compared to magnesium alone 1.
  • A study published in 2018 found that the addition of vitamin B6 to magnesium supplementation was not superior to magnesium supplementation alone in reducing stress in healthy adults with low magnesemia, but it did provide greater benefit in subjects with severe/extremely severe stress 1.
  • Another study published in 2014 found that potassium magnesium citrate and vitamin B-6 prophylaxis was effective in reducing the recurrence of calcium oxalate and phosphate urolithiasis, suggesting a potential role for vitamin B6 in magnesium absorption and utilization 2. However, it's worth noting that the evidence is not entirely clear, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between vitamin B6 and magnesium absorption.
  • A study published in 2019 found that magnesium malate and magnesium acetyl taurate had higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate, but it did not investigate the role of vitamin B6 in magnesium absorption 3.
  • Another study published in 2017 found that high concentrations of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) can lead to decreased vitamin B6 function, highlighting the potential for adverse effects with high-dose vitamin B6 supplementation 4.
  • A study published in 2021 discussed the role of vitamin B6 in women's health, but it did not provide direct evidence for the relationship between vitamin B6 and magnesium absorption 5.

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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