Abstract: A complex of magnesium maltol that can deliver magnesium via oral administration at a low cost. The magnesium maltol is formed by dissolving an amount of maltol in water. A solution of citric acid and magnesium oxide is added to the maltol, allowed to react, and then dried to obtain magnesium maltol. The approach may also be used to produce magnesium ethylmaltol. Cellular uptake studies demonstrate that both magnesium maltol and magnesium ethylmaltol provide a substantial uptake of magnesium and thus the complexes offer a route for magnesium supplementation such as that needed by patients with hypomagnesemia.