Kenya
Normatone
Magnesium, calcium, potassium and L-carnitine capsules for heart wellness
KES 6,750
Order pageSupplement category
Mineral Supplements: Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium and Selenium
Minerals are inorganic elements the body needs in defined amounts, and their supplements are judged on one number the front of the pack rarely shows: elemental content. Learn to find it and the whole category becomes easier to navigate.
What are minerals?
Minerals are elements obtained from food and water. Major minerals such as calcium and magnesium are needed in larger amounts; trace minerals such as zinc, iron, selenium and iodine in smaller ones.
A mineral supplement always contains the mineral bound to something else — citrate, oxide, gluconate, sulphate. The elemental figure tells you how much of the actual mineral you get.
Iron deficiency, zinc insufficiency and iodine deficiency all have well-documented public health significance in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Who uses them
- Women of reproductive age, for iron, after a confirmed diagnosis.
- People on diets high in unrefined cereals, where phytates reduce zinc and iron absorption.
- Older adults and postmenopausal women, for calcium where dietary intake is low.
- People with digestive conditions affecting absorption.
Key ingredients
Mineral
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of enzyme reactions, and one of the nutrients most people under-consume.
MineralZinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral with a real public-health story in sub-Saharan Africa, where dietary intake is often marginal.
MineralCalcium
Calcium is the best-known mineral for strong bones and teeth.
How to compare products
Elemental content
500 mg of magnesium oxide supplies roughly 300 mg of elemental magnesium. Comparing products on the elemental figure keeps the choice simple.
Salt form and tolerance
Citrate and glycinate are generally better tolerated than oxide or sulphate. Digestive tolerance determines whether you keep taking a product.
Interaction with other minerals
Calcium, iron and zinc compete for absorption, so taking them at different times of day helps each one.
Dose splitting
Calcium above about 500 mg at once is absorbed inefficiently.
What to look for on the label
- The elemental amount, stated explicitly
- The salt form named on the label
- Guidance on whether to take with or without food
- A warning about separation from antibiotics and thyroid medication
- Batch, expiry and manufacturer details
Safety
- Iron supplements are a leading cause of childhood poisoning — store them securely.
- Long-term high-dose zinc causes copper deficiency and anaemia.
- Excess calcium raises kidney stone risk.
- People with kidney disease must not supplement magnesium or potassium without supervision.
Products in this category
Products documented from supplier material for African markets, each with its price, format and delivery terms.
Brands in this category
Where to buy
These products reach African buyers through chain pharmacies, supermarket health aisles, online pharmacies, marketplaces and direct-order delivery. Each channel differs in price, choice, advice and accountability — our where to buy guide compares them, and the Kenya guide covers that market in detail.
Related health topics
Frequently asked questions
Why does my magnesium cause diarrhoea?
Oxide and citrate forms draw water into the bowel. Glycinate is gentler, and splitting doses across the day helps.
Can I take iron and calcium together?
Better not to. Calcium reduces iron absorption; take them at different times.
Related guides
Medical disclaimer. BioMedic Africa publishes consumer health information and supplement research summaries. It is not a pharmacy, a clinic or a medicines regulator, and nothing here is a diagnosis, a prescription or a treatment plan. Dietary supplements are foods, not medicines: they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak with a pharmacist or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, living with a long-term condition, or taking prescription medication.