What is magnesium bisglycinate?
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Magnesium bisglycinate is a form of magnesium in which magnesium is bound to glycinate, which comes from the amino acid glycine.
You may also see the same compound referred to as magnesium glycinate or magnesium diglycinate. PubChem lists these names for the magnesium-glycine compound and gives its molecular formula as C₄H₈MgN₂O₄.
The form of magnesium is useful information when comparing supplements, but it is only part of the picture. The amount of elemental magnesium, the recommended daily serving and the rest of the formulation matter as well.
What does “bisglycinate” mean?
The name describes the chemical form of the magnesium.
In magnesium bisglycinate, magnesium is associated with two glycinate units. Glycinate is derived from glycine, an amino acid.
This is why the term “bisglycinate” tells you something about the compound, but not how much actual magnesium a capsule or daily serving contains.
Magnesium is the mineral. Bisglycinate is the form in which that mineral is supplied.
Are magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate the same thing?
These terms are commonly used for the same magnesium-glycine compound. Magnesium diglycinate is another name you may encounter.
PubChem lists magnesium glycinate, magnesium diglycinate and magnesium bisglycinate among the names associated with this compound.
So a difference in naming on two labels does not necessarily mean the products use completely different magnesium compounds.
What is chelated magnesium?
Magnesium bisglycinate is generally described as a chelated form of magnesium.
In simple terms, the magnesium is associated with organic molecules — in this case glycinate.
“Chelated” is sometimes used in supplement marketing as though it automatically proves a product is superior. Chemically, however, it primarily describes the way the mineral is bound.
To judge the finished supplement, it is also useful to look at the elemental magnesium, serving size, formulation and overall product information.
What is elemental magnesium?
This is one of the most important details when reading a magnesium label.
The weight of a magnesium compound is not the same as the amount of magnesium it contains. Part of the weight of magnesium bisglycinate comes from glycinate.
Elemental magnesium refers to the magnesium itself.
The NIH notes that supplement labels declare the amount of elemental magnesium rather than the total weight of the magnesium-containing compound.
That means, for example, that 500 mg of a magnesium compound should not be interpreted as 500 mg of magnesium.
When comparing supplements, the amount of elemental magnesium supplied by the recommended daily serving is therefore more informative than the raw compound weight alone.
What does magnesium do in the body?
Magnesium has several recognised physiological functions.
Under EU rules, authorised claims include that magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal psychological function and normal protein synthesis, provided the conditions for using those claims are met.
These functions belong to magnesium as a nutrient.
They do not demonstrate that magnesium bisglycinate supports those functions more effectively than magnesium citrate or another magnesium form.
That distinction matters when reading supplement marketing: what magnesium does in the body and which magnesium compound a product uses are related, but they are not the same question.
How is magnesium bisglycinate absorbed?
Magnesium absorption can vary between different forms.
According to the NIH, magnesium forms that dissolve well in liquid tend to be absorbed more completely than less soluble forms. Small studies have found forms such as citrate, aspartate, lactate and chloride to be more bioavailable than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate.
Magnesium bisglycinate has also been studied in humans. The available evidence does not, however, justify a simple statement that bisglycinate is always the most absorbable form of magnesium.
Absorption can be affected by the compound, dose, formulation and individual circumstances.
For that reason, we treat comparisons between bisglycinate and citrate separately rather than turning the word “chelated” into a blanket superiority claim.
How is magnesium bisglycinate different from other forms?
Magnesium supplements can use a variety of compounds.
With magnesium bisglycinate, the magnesium is associated with glycinate. Magnesium citrate uses citrate. Magnesium oxide is an inorganic magnesium compound.
These differences can affect properties such as solubility, and this is one reason different forms do not always perform identically in absorption studies.
It is still difficult to reduce magnesium supplements to a reliable “best to worst” ranking.
The name of the compound tells you something useful, but it does not tell you everything about the finished product.
What should you look for in a magnesium supplement?
A useful comparison goes further than the front of the label.
- the magnesium form;
- the amount of elemental magnesium per recommended daily serving;
- the serving instructions;
- the complete ingredient list;
- and how the wider formula is constructed.
If other nutrients are included, they should also make sense within the formulation rather than being added simply to make the ingredient list longer.
Magnesium bisglycinate in the Primal Wolf formula
Primal Wolf Magnesium combines magnesium bisglycinate with vitamin B6. We look at the magnesium form as part of the complete formula rather than as a standalone superiority claim. Current amounts, the daily serving and directions for use are available on the Primal Wolf Magnesium product page.
Frequently asked questions
Is magnesium glycinate the same as magnesium bisglycinate?
The names are commonly used for the same magnesium-glycine compound. Magnesium diglycinate is another recognised name.
What does elemental magnesium mean?
Elemental magnesium is the amount of magnesium itself that a magnesium compound supplies. The total weight of magnesium bisglycinate is therefore not the same as its magnesium content.
Is magnesium bisglycinate the same as magnesium citrate?
No. Both supply magnesium, but they are different compounds. Bisglycinate uses glycinate, while magnesium citrate uses citrate.
Is magnesium bisglycinate better absorbed?
Different magnesium forms can differ in absorption, but the available evidence does not establish magnesium bisglycinate as universally the best-absorbed magnesium form.
Which form of magnesium is best?
There is no single answer that applies to every supplement or every person. The form matters, but elemental magnesium, dosage, formulation and individual tolerance should also be considered.
Learn more
Magnesium glycinate vs citrate: what’s the difference?