NutriStack
Iron and Magnesium Malate, timing-sensitive.
Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Iron and Magnesium Malate
- Pair type
- Timing Sensitive
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 1 source
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Supplement
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Timing Sensitive · Moderate evidence
Timing Sensitive
What is happening. Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both.
Mechanism. Iron uses DMT1 while magnesium uses TRPM6/TRPM7 channels. Competition occurs through indirect mechanisms including shared paracellular absorption pathways. Separating by 2+ hours eliminates competition.
Recommendation. Take iron in the morning on an empty stomach. Take magnesium malate in the evening.
Minimum separation. 120
Sources (1)
- Shawki A, Bhatt DK. Intestinal DMT1 is critical for iron absorption. Blood. 2012
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Iron and Magnesium Malate 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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