Magnesium bisglycinate chelate
magnesium bound to two glycine molecules, C4H8MgN2O4
MagnesiumIngredient formSources last checked: October 15, 2026
Medical & Industry Advisor: Dr. James Pendleton, ND
Answer
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What it is
- Magnesium bisglycinate (listed in PubChem as magnesium glycinate, C4H8MgN2O4, molecular weight 172.42) is magnesium bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine. Raw-material suppliers sell it in an unbuffered grade and in buffered grades that add magnesium oxide. [PubChem compound properties][Raw-material supplier product page]
Forms compared
How magnesium bisglycinate chelate compares with related forms on a spec sheet and a label.
| Form | Declared on the label as | Content | Identity check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium bisglycinate chelate, unbuffered (fully reacted), anhydrous | Magnesium (as magnesium bisglycinate chelate) | 14.1% elemental magnesium[PubChem molecular weights, 2026-10-15] | Elemental magnesium on the CoA close to this formula value, plus a chelation spectrum (for example FT-IR) compared with a reference standard |
| Magnesium bisglycinate chelate, unbuffered (fully reacted), monohydrate | Magnesium (as magnesium bisglycinate chelate) | 12.8% elemental magnesium[PubChem molecular weights, 2026-10-15] | The hydrate stated on the CoA, and elemental magnesium close to this value on that basis |
| Magnesium bisglycinate chelate, buffered | Whether a pre-blended buffered grade lists magnesium oxide as a second source is a question for your regulatory provider | Above 14.1% elemental magnesium (anhydrous basis); the excess comes from the added magnesium oxide[Raw-material supplier product page, 2026-10-15] | The supplier's stated magnesium oxide share and elemental magnesium on the CoA |
| Magnesium citrate (trimagnesium dicitrate) | Magnesium (as magnesium citrate) | 16.2% elemental magnesium (anhydrous basis); 11.9% as the nonahydrate[PubChem molecular weights, 2026-10-15] | Elemental magnesium against the formula value for the stated hydrate |
| Magnesium oxide | Magnesium (as magnesium oxide) | 60.3% elemental magnesium[PubChem molecular weights, 2026-10-15] | Elemental magnesium near 60%. A material sold as bisglycinate that assays well above 14.1% carries another magnesium source, such as magnesium oxide |
On the Supplement Facts label
The Supplement Facts panel declares elemental magnesium, not the weight of the compound. The source may be named in parentheses, for example Magnesium (as magnesium bisglycinate chelate); a source not named in the panel goes in the ingredient statement below it. When sources are listed in the panel and two or more supply magnesium, all of them are listed in the parentheses in descending order by weight.[NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Magnesium fact sheet, 2026-10-15][21 CFR 101.36(d) and 101.36(d)(2), 2026-10-15]
Spec parameters buyers should demand
What to ask for on the certificate of analysis and spec sheet. Identity, quality, and regulatory parameters only. This is not advice about efficacy.
| Parameter | What to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | Name the grade on the spec: unbuffered (fully reacted) magnesium bisglycinate chelate, or a buffered grade that adds magnesium oxide. Suppliers sell both grades openly.[Raw-material supplier product page] | The grades differ in elemental magnesium per gram and can differ in how the label lists the magnesium sources. |
| Elemental magnesium content | Request elemental magnesium as a percentage on the CoA, with the method and the hydrate basis, and compare it with the formula value: 14.1% for anhydrous bisglycinate, 12.8% for the monohydrate.[PubChem molecular weights] | A material sold as bisglycinate that assays well above 14.1% on the same basis contains another magnesium source. |
| Chelation evidence | Ask for the spectrum (for example FT-IR, which identifies the bonds between the amino acid and the mineral) and the reference standard it was compared with, not only a statement that the material is chelated.[Raw-material supplier technical page] | A blend of glycine and a magnesium salt can be offered under a similar name; the spectrum against a reference is the record of what was tested. |
| Capsule fill | Ask the manufacturer for a fill trial at your target amount of elemental magnesium. At 14.1% magnesium, 100 mg of elemental magnesium takes about 710 mg of anhydrous unbuffered chelate.[PubChem molecular weights] | Fill weight per capsule depends on the lot's bulk density, so the trial, not the formula alone, sets how many capsules a serving needs. |
| Identity verification | Confirm the manufacturer runs at least one appropriate identity test on each incoming lot, as 21 CFR 111.75(a)(1) requires for every dietary ingredient unless FDA has granted a petition exemption.[21 CFR 111.75(a)(1)] | Identity testing is a federal manufacturing requirement and the control that catches a substituted or blended raw material. |
| Heavy metals | Request lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury results with the test method and the limits applied.[21 CFR Part 111] | Heavy-metal control is a baseline quality attribute for any mineral ingredient. |
QC and testing considerations
- A capsule that declares more elemental magnesium than an unbuffered chelate can supply at its fill weight is a reason to ask whether the raw material is a buffered grade. [PubChem molecular weights][Raw-material supplier product page]
- Every dietary ingredient must pass at least one appropriate identity test before use unless FDA has granted a petition exemption (21 CFR 111.75(a)(1)). Run it on each incoming lot, not only at supplier qualification. [21 CFR 111.75(a)(1)]
Further reading: How to read a certificate of analysis and third-party supplement testing.
Government safety limit
| Limit or safety conclusion | Population | Source wording |
|---|---|---|
| 350 mg/day of magnesium from supplements and medications | Adults; NIH Table 3 lists 350 mg for every age group from 9 years up | The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for supplemental magnesium is 350 mg for adults, and it ranges from 65 to 350 mg for children and adolescents, depending on age.[source, read 2026-10-15] |
Government statements, quoted
The Supplement Facts panel on a dietary supplement label declares the amount of elemental magnesium in the product, not the weight of the entire magnesium-containing compound.
Supplements can contain a variety of different forms of magnesium, and the absorption of these forms varies. In general, forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid have higher absorption than other forms, and the aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms of magnesium tend to have higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate.
The ULs only include magnesium from dietary supplements and medications; they do not include magnesium found naturally in food and beverages.
Reference list
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Magnesium Health Professional Fact Sheet (updated January 6, 2026) Government reference
- 21 CFR 101.36: Nutrition labeling of dietary supplements Regulatory
- 21 CFR 111.75: identity testing of dietary ingredients Regulatory
- PubChem compound records: magnesium glycinate (CID 84645), magnesium oxide (CID 14792), trimagnesium dicitrate (CID 6099959) Government reference
- Raw-material supplier product page: magnesium bisglycinate chelate, original and buffered grades Owner technical
A reference list is not claim substantiation. Under the FTC's Health Products Compliance Guidance (December 2022), marketing claims about a finished product require competent and reliable scientific evidence, typically randomized, controlled human clinical testing. Responsibility for substantiating product claims rests with the brand.
Manufacturers with stated capability
No manufacturer has a listed capability for this ingredient yet. Listings are positive-only: an entry states a manufacturer can run the ingredient, never that one cannot.
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Related ingredients in this class
Reference navigation, not a recommendation. Forms and specs differ; evaluate against the criteria on the ingredient reference index.
Further reading
The decision framework behind this reference: five checkable criteria for choosing between a branded ingredient and its generic form.
What this page does not tell you
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- Anything about efficacy. This is an identity, labeling, and quality reference.
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