NutriStack
Alendronate and Magnesium Glycinate, timing-sensitive.
Magnesium can chelate alendronate, reducing its absorption. While the interaction is similar in mechanism to calcium and iron, alendronate's extremely low bioavailability makes any absorption reduction clinically relevant.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
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At a glance
- Substances
- Alendronate and Magnesium Glycinate
- Pair type
- Timing Sensitive
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 4 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Timing Sensitive · Moderate evidence
Timing Sensitive
What is happening. Magnesium can chelate alendronate, reducing its absorption. While the interaction is similar in mechanism to calcium and iron, alendronate's extremely low bioavailability makes any absorption reduction clinically relevant.
Mechanism. Magnesium divalent cations bind to alendronate's phosphonate groups, forming chelation complexes that reduce the fraction of drug available for intestinal absorption. Even modest reductions in bioavailability are significant given alendronate's baseline absorption of <1%.
Recommendation. Take alendronate at least 30 minutes before magnesium supplements. Follow standard alendronate dosing instructions: plain water only, first thing in the morning, remain upright for 30 minutes.
Minimum separation. 30
Sources (4)
- Gertz BJ et al. Studies of the oral bioavailability of alendronate. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1995;58(3):288-298. PMID 7554702
- Mah J, Pitre T. Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2021. PMID 33865376
- Veronese N, Dominguez LJ, Pizzol D et al.. Oral Magnesium Supplementation for Treating Glucose Metabolism Parameters in People with or at Risk of Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials.. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 34836329
- Veronese N, Pizzol D, Smith L et al.. Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Nutrients. 2022. PMID 35277037
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Alendronate and Magnesium Glycinate are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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