# Magnesium Undecylenate **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/magnesium-undecylenate **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-04-04 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Mineral **Also Known As:** Magnesium undecylenoate, Undecylenic acid magnesium salt, Magnesium 10-undecenoate, Mg undecylenate ## Overview Magnesium undecylenate is a magnesium salt of undecylenic acid, a fatty acid derived from castor oil with established antifungal properties. The compound theoretically delivers elemental magnesium while the undecylenate anion inhibits fungal cell membrane synthesis, though clinical evidence for this dual action in humans remains extremely limited. ## Health Benefits • No specific health benefits for magnesium undecylenate can be cited from the provided research dossier • General magnesium supplementation benefits cannot be extrapolated to this specific form without clinical evidence • The antifungal properties of undecylenic acid compounds mentioned in the research apply to zinc undecylenate, not magnesium undecylenate • No clinical trials or studies on magnesium undecylenate were found in the research provided • Evidence quality: Insufficient - no studies available ## Mechanism of Action Undecylenic acid, the active anion in magnesium undecylenate, disrupts fungal cell membrane integrity by interfering with fatty acid synthesis pathways, particularly inhibiting the conversion of Candida albicans from its yeast to hyphal form. Magnesium itself functions as a cofactor for over 300 enzymatic reactions, including [ATP synthesis](/ingredients/condition/energy) via Mg-ATPase and activation of adenylyl cyclase. Upon dissociation in the gastrointestinal tract, the magnesium cation may be absorbed through TRPM6 and TRPM7 transient receptor potential channels in intestinal epithelial cells, though bioavailability data specific to this salt form have not been published. ## Clinical Summary No peer-reviewed clinical trials have been conducted specifically on magnesium undecylenate as a supplement, making evidence-based efficacy claims impossible at this time. Undecylenic acid compounds have been studied topically for dermatophyte infections such as tinea pedis in small controlled trials, demonstrating antifungal activity against Trichophyton species, but these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to the oral magnesium salt form. General magnesium supplementation research involves thousands of participants across hundreds of trials covering [cardiovascular](/ingredients/condition/heart-health), metabolic, and neuromuscular outcomes, but differing bioavailability profiles between magnesium salts mean those results do not necessarily apply to undecylenate. The honest evidence grade for magnesium undecylenate specifically is insufficient, and consumers should be aware this ingredient lacks independent clinical validation. ## Nutritional Profile Magnesium undecylenate is an organometallic salt formed by combining magnesium (a divalent mineral cation) with undecylenic acid (an 11-carbon monounsaturated fatty acid, C11:1). As a mineral salt, it delivers elemental magnesium — though the precise elemental magnesium percentage per molecule is lower than oxide or citrate forms (magnesium constitutes approximately 8-10% by molecular weight given the two undecylenate anions per magnesium cation). The undecylenate anion (derived from castor oil) contributes medium-chain fatty acid properties. No established dietary reference intake exists specifically for this compound, and no published bioavailability data exists comparing its magnesium absorption to well-studied forms such as magnesium glycinate (~80% relative absorption) or magnesium citrate (~90% relative absorption). The fatty acid component may confer mild lipophilic carrier properties, potentially influencing gastrointestinal absorption kinetics, but this remains unverified in clinical literature. No vitamins, fiber, or protein are present in isolated magnesium undecylenate. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges for magnesium undecylenate were identified in the research dossier. Without specific clinical data on this compound, dosing cannot be recommended. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Magnesium undecylenate has no published human safety or toxicology data specific to oral supplementation, making a complete risk profile impossible to establish. General magnesium supplementation at doses exceeding 350 mg elemental magnesium per day from supplements can cause osmotic diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping, and at very high doses may cause hypermagnesemia with symptoms including hypotension and cardiac arrhythmia, particularly in individuals with impaired renal function. Magnesium cations are known to chelate certain antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, reducing their absorption by up to 90%, and may interact with bisphosphonates, proton pump inhibitors, and some diuretics. Pregnancy and lactation safety for this specific compound has not been evaluated, and it should be avoided in these populations until data are available. ## Scientific Research No clinical trials or meta-analyses examining magnesium undecylenate were found in the research dossier. The provided search results contain general information about magnesium as an element and other undecylenate compounds, but no PMIDs or studies specifically investigating this magnesium salt. ## Historical & Cultural Context No historical or traditional use information for magnesium undecylenate was found in the research dossier. While magnesium has a long history of medicinal use and undecylenic acid has been used as an antifungal agent, no evidence exists for the traditional use of this specific combination. ## Synergistic Combinations Magnesium undecylenate may pair logically with Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine at 10-25mg), which is well-documented to enhance intracellular magnesium retention by facilitating magnesium transport across cell membranes via TRPM7 channel modulation. Zinc (as zinc glycinate or zinc picolinate, 15-30mg) could complement the undecylenate component, given that zinc undecylenate has established antifungal activity via fatty acid disruption of fungal cell membranes — combining both mineral undecylenates may produce additive effects on Candida and dermatophyte inhibition. Taurine (500-1000mg) represents a third synergistic candidate, as taurine and magnesium co-regulate NMDA receptor activity and [cardiovascular](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) electrical conduction, with taurine also shown to independently improve magnesium retention in cardiac tissue in animal models. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is magnesium undecylenate used for? Magnesium undecylenate is marketed as a magnesium supplement that theoretically combines the mineral's enzymatic cofactor roles with the antifungal properties of undecylenic acid, a C11 unsaturated fatty acid. However, no published clinical trials confirm efficacy for any specific health condition when taken orally in this salt form. Most documented uses of undecylenic acid compounds are topical, targeting dermatophyte fungal infections. ### How does magnesium undecylenate differ from magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate? Magnesium glycinate is chelated to the amino acid glycine, which supports absorption via intestinal peptide transporters and produces minimal laxative effects, while magnesium citrate is a salt with well-documented high relative bioavailability of approximately 30% in clinical comparisons. Magnesium undecylenate is bound to undecylenic acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, and its absorption kinetics and elemental magnesium yield have not been measured in published pharmacokinetic studies. Without comparative bioavailability data, it is not possible to rank magnesium undecylenate against these more thoroughly researched forms. ### Does magnesium undecylenate help with Candida or fungal infections? Undecylenic acid has demonstrated in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans by disrupting hyphal transition, a virulence mechanism, and has shown efficacy in topical formulations for skin dermatophyte infections in small clinical studies. Whether oral magnesium undecylenate delivers sufficient undecylenate concentrations to gastrointestinal or systemic sites to replicate these effects has not been tested in human trials. Until clinical evidence exists, this compound cannot be recommended as a treatment or adjunct therapy for fungal infections. ### What is the recommended dosage of magnesium undecylenate? No clinically validated dosage for magnesium undecylenate exists in the published literature, and no regulatory agency has established a specific dosing guideline for this form. The National Institutes of Health sets the tolerable upper intake level for supplemental magnesium at 350 mg of elemental magnesium per day for adults to avoid adverse gastrointestinal effects. Because the molecular weight of undecylenic acid is approximately 184 g/mol and magnesium is 24 g/mol, the elemental magnesium content per milligram of the salt is relatively low, meaning label doses should be evaluated for their actual elemental magnesium contribution. ### Is magnesium undecylenate safe to take daily? Long-term daily safety data for oral magnesium undecylenate supplementation have not been published in peer-reviewed literature, making a definitive safety assessment impossible. Individuals with chronic kidney disease face particular risk from any supplemental magnesium, as impaired renal clearance can lead to accumulation and hypermagnesemia even at modest doses. Those taking fluoroquinolone or tetracycline antibiotics should separate magnesium supplementation by at least two hours to prevent chelation-mediated reduction in antibiotic absorption. ### What is the bioavailability of magnesium undecylenate compared to other magnesium forms? Magnesium undecylenate's bioavailability and absorption rate have not been established through clinical studies, making direct comparisons to well-researched forms like magnesium glycinate or citrate difficult. The undecylenic acid component may influence how the magnesium is absorbed, but specific data on this mechanism is lacking. Without peer-reviewed absorption data, it is unclear whether this form offers advantages or disadvantages for magnesium delivery to the body. ### Is magnesium undecylenate safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding? There is no clinical data available on the safety of magnesium undecylenate specifically during pregnancy or breastfeeding. While magnesium is essential during pregnancy, the safety profile of this particular mineral form has not been studied in pregnant or nursing populations. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before using this ingredient, as general magnesium safety cannot be extrapolated to this specific undecylenic acid-bound form. ### Does magnesium undecylenate interact with medications or supplements? Specific drug interaction data for magnesium undecylenate has not been documented in clinical literature. While magnesium generally can interact with certain medications like bisphosphonates, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and tetracyclines, it is unknown whether the undecylenic acid ligand affects these interactions. Anyone taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before adding this supplement to determine potential interactions. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*