What Is Magnesium Glycinate?
Magnesium is an essential nutrient required for over 300 different enzymatic processes in the human body. We use it to build our bones, generate new DNA within our cells, build new blood cells, and regulate energy production — just to name a few.
Unfortunately, magnesium is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract in its natural form. Only about 30% of the magnesium we consume ever makes it into our bloodstream.
The solution to this issue is to take forms of magnesium that have been combined with other compounds such as amino acids like glycine to improve the absorption. As these other compounds pass the digestive lining, they carry the magnesium with it.
Magnesium glycinate is a combination of one magnesium atom, attached to two glycine molecules. It’s widely considered to be the most bioavailable form of magnesium available. For this reason, magnesium glycinate is popular among health professionals for correcting magnesium deficiencies and supporting processes like sleep onset and muscle recovery.
Once inside the body, the magnesium atom is torn away from the glycine and each is used independently.
The magnesium goes on to drive enzyme reactions and form bone matrix all around the body, while the glycine is used to manufacture compounds like glutathione (antioxidant), creatine (energy production), and collagen (an important structural component of the body).
The Science Behind Magnesium Glycinate
1. Magnesium
Once the magnesium is separated from the glycine molecules, it goes on to provide a few important effects on the body.
There are so many uses for magnesium in the human body entire textbooks have been written on the subject. One of the most important uses of magnesium is as a cofactor for enzyme reactions.
Enzymes are specialized proteins designed to speed up or facilitate chemical reactions in the body. Nearly everything the human body requires an enzyme to do it — and a lot of these enzymes require magnesium to work. This is thanks to some special chemical properties unique to magnesium.
One of the most important enzyme reactions magnesium is involved with is in the production of ATP — which serves as the body’s currency for energy. Everything that produces energy in the body is eventually converted into ATP with the help of magnesium.
Only then can the ATP be used to provide the power a cell needs to do its job.
2. Glycine
Glycine is an amino acid most often obtained through our diet. We can also manufacture our own glycine if needed as well.
Glycine has several important functions in the body, but the most important one when it comes to magnesium glycinate supplementation is its inhibitory effects on the central nervous system — meaning that glycine has a relaxing effect on the brain, helping us relax and fall asleep.
Glycine is also important for the production of antioxidants like glutathione, various proteins, and creatinine. We can also convert glycine into energy if sugar levels are low.
Magnesium Glycinate Has The Following Effects On The Body:
• Promotes healthy bone formation
• Enables calcium absorption from the digestive tract
• Supports the production of new blood cells
• Enables energy production in the body
• Promotes relaxation and reduces the stress response
• Supports a healthy sleep
• Relaxes the muscles
• Speeds muscle recovery
• Supports liver detoxification
Is Magnesium Glycinate The Supplement For Me?
Magnesium glycinate is an incredibly versatile supplement — especially useful for athletes, students, pregnant or postmenopausal women, or anybody experiencing high levels of stress.
The main goal of magnesium glycinate supplementation is to increase the amount of magnesium available to the body. Since magnesium is involved with hundreds of different reactions — the benefits can vary a lot from one person to the next.
The added benefit of the relaxing qualities of the glycinate portion of the supplement makes this form of magnesium especially useful for promoting relaxation both mentally and in the muscles.
Ingredients & Dosage
Amount Per Serving (2 Capsules):
Magnesium (from Glycinate) 250mg.
Ingredients: Magnesium (from Glycinate), Bulking Agents (Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate), Vegetarian Capsule (HPMC).
Recommended Dose
Take 2 capsules (250mg) daily with a meal, or as advised by your healthcare professional.