Albion Magnesium Bisglycinate Absorption: Why Chelation Matters

Key Takeaways

• Magnesium bisglycinate is a chelated form of magnesium bound to glycine.

• Chelation describes how magnesium is chemically associated with amino acids such as glycine.

• A clinical study in 12 patients with ileal resection investigated magnesium diglycinate absorption compared with magnesium oxide.

• Overall absorption was similar between the two forms, but absorption was significantly higher with the chelate in a subgroup with greater impairment from magnesium oxide.

• The study provides evidence relevant to magnesium diglycinate absorption but does not prove that every Albion® magnesium product is better absorbed than every other magnesium form.
  
  

Magnesium absorption depends on several factors, including the form of magnesium and the digestive environment.

Magnesium bisglycinate is a chelated form in which magnesium is associated with two glycine molecules. This structure has led researchers to investigate whether magnesium diglycinate may be absorbed differently from other magnesium compounds.

For consumers comparing magnesium supplements, understanding the difference between magnesium absorption, chelation, and elemental magnesium can provide a more useful way to evaluate a product than looking at the ingredient name alone.

What Does Magnesium Absorption Mean?

Magnesium absorption refers to the amount of magnesium that passes from the digestive tract into the body.

The amount absorbed can vary depending on factors such as:

• the form of magnesium

• the amount consumed

• dietary factors

• gastrointestinal function

• an individual's magnesium status
  
  

This is why the amount of magnesium listed on a supplement label does not necessarily represent the amount ultimately absorbed by the body.

What Is Chelated Magnesium?

Chelated magnesium is magnesium that is chemically associated with another molecule, often an amino acid.

In magnesium bisglycinate, magnesium is associated with two glycine molecules. The term bisglycinate describes this chemical relationship.

The purpose of chelation is to create a specific mineral compound that can be used in nutritional supplements and studied for its absorption and tolerability.

Why Does the Bisglycinate Structure Matter?

The structure of magnesium bisglycinate is different from inorganic magnesium compounds such as magnesium oxide.

Magnesium bisglycinate contains magnesium associated with glycine, whereas magnesium oxide consists of magnesium and oxygen.

Researchers have investigated whether these structural differences influence how magnesium behaves during digestion and absorption.

Importantly, the presence of a chelated structure does not by itself prove that one magnesium supplement will always be better absorbed than another.

What Does Clinical Research Show?

One of the clinical studies relevant to magnesium diglycinate absorption was conducted in patients who had undergone ileal resection.

The study was designed as a double-blind, randomised crossover trial involving 12 participants. Researchers compared a 100 mg dose of ²⁶Mg-labelled magnesium diglycinate with magnesium oxide.

Study Data

Overall, magnesium absorption was low and not significantly different between the two supplements: 23.5% for magnesium diglycinate compared with 22.8% for magnesium oxide.

However, among the four participants who showed the greatest impairment of magnesium absorption with magnesium oxide, absorption was significantly greater with magnesium diglycinate: 23.5% versus 11.8% (p < 0.05).

The researchers also found that peak isotope enrichment occurred approximately 3.2 hours earlier after magnesium diglycinate than after magnesium oxide, while the area under the enrichment-time curve was greater with the chelate.

What Do These Results Mean?

The results suggest that magnesium diglycinate may have an absorption advantage in some individuals with impaired intestinal magnesium absorption.

However, the overall results are important because they did not show a significant difference in absorption across the entire group.

This means the study should not be interpreted as evidence that magnesium diglycinate is universally more absorbable than magnesium oxide.

The study population was also highly specific, consisting of people with previous ileal resection. Results from this group cannot automatically be applied to healthy adults.

What Does the Research Tell Us About Chelated Magnesium?

The study provides clinical evidence supporting the investigation of magnesium diglycinate as an alternative magnesium source, particularly in people with impaired intestinal absorption.

The researchers concluded that some magnesium diglycinate appeared to be absorbed intact, potentially through a dipeptide transport pathway.

This is relevant because glycine is an amino acid and magnesium bisglycinate has a structure involving magnesium and glycine.

However, this mechanism should be understood as a research finding rather than a guarantee of improved absorption for every person taking magnesium bisglycinate.

Does This Study Prove Albion® Magnesium Is Better Absorbed?

No.

This distinction is important.

The study investigated magnesium diglycinate, not a specific Albion® finished supplement.

Therefore, it would be inaccurate to use this study as proof that Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate is better absorbed than every other magnesium supplement.

What the research does provide is clinical evidence relevant to the absorption of magnesium diglycinate, the same general chelated magnesium form used in magnesium bisglycinate ingredients.

Albion® represents a specific ingredient supplier and mineral technology, but the clinical findings from this study should not be presented as an Albion®-specific clinical trial.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Magnesium Supplements?

Absorption is only one factor to consider when comparing magnesium products.

Check the supplement label for:

Magnesium Form

Identify whether the product contains magnesium bisglycinate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium oxide, citrate, or another form.

Elemental Magnesium

Look at the amount of elemental magnesium supplied per serving rather than comparing the total weight of the magnesium compound.

Ingredient Source

Some products identify the manufacturer or supplier of their mineral ingredient, such as Albion®.

Serving Size

Compare how much elemental magnesium is provided in the recommended serving.

Complete Formulation

Consider the other ingredients and the overall formulation rather than judging a supplement solely by the magnesium form.

Magnesium Bisglycinate Absorption: What Consumers Should Know

The available clinical evidence supports continued interest in magnesium diglycinate as a chelated magnesium form.

However, absorption is not determined by the ingredient name alone. Individual digestive function, magnesium status, dosage, diet, and the specific formulation can all influence how a supplement is utilised.

For consumers, the most useful approach is to look at the form of magnesium, elemental magnesium content, ingredient source, and supporting evidence together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is magnesium bisglycinate well absorbed?

Magnesium bisglycinate is a chelated form of magnesium that has been investigated for absorption. Clinical research on magnesium diglycinate found similar overall absorption to magnesium oxide, with significantly greater absorption from the chelate in a subgroup of participants with impaired absorption from magnesium oxide.

What is the difference between magnesium bisglycinate and magnesium oxide?

Magnesium bisglycinate is a chelated magnesium compound associated with two glycine molecules, while magnesium oxide is an inorganic magnesium compound. Their chemical structures differ, and researchers have investigated whether these differences affect absorption.

Does chelation improve magnesium absorption?

Chelation may influence how a magnesium compound is absorbed, but it does not guarantee superior absorption in every individual. The available study found an advantage for magnesium diglycinate in a specific subgroup, while overall absorption was similar to magnesium oxide.

What did the magnesium diglycinate study find?

The study involved 12 patients with ileal resection. Overall ²⁶Mg absorption was 23.5% with magnesium diglycinate and 22.8% with magnesium oxide. In four participants with the greatest impairment from magnesium oxide, absorption was 23.5% versus 11.8% with magnesium oxide (p < 0.05).

Was the study conducted using Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate?

No. The study investigated magnesium diglycinate rather than a specific Albion® product. Its findings therefore provide relevant evidence about the chelated magnesium form but should not be described as an Albion®-specific clinical trial.

What is elemental magnesium?

Elemental magnesium is the actual amount of magnesium provided by a supplement. It is different from the total weight of the magnesium compound and is generally the more useful figure when comparing supplement labels.

Final Thoughts

Magnesium bisglycinate is a chelated form of magnesium associated with glycine, and clinical research has investigated how magnesium diglycinate is absorbed compared with other magnesium compounds. While one study found similar overall absorption to magnesium oxide, the chelated form showed significantly higher absorption in a subgroup of participants with impaired absorption.

If you are comparing magnesium supplements, look beyond the ingredient name. Consider the form of magnesium, elemental magnesium content, serving size, ingredient source, and the available clinical evidence. Research findings should also be interpreted in the context of the population and study design.

At Just Glow, we believe science-backed ingredients and evidence-based nutrition are the foundation of long-term wellness. Our carefully selected supplements are designed to complement a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

References

1. Schuette SA, Lashner BA, Janghorbani M. Bioavailability of magnesium diglycinate vs magnesium oxide in patients with ileal resection. JPEN Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 1994;18(5):430–435.