One of the main limitations of magnesium supplements is the poor absorption of certain inorganic or poorly soluble magnesium salts. Forms such as magnesium oxide, despite their high elemental magnesium content, have low solubility, resulting in limited bioavailability and are often associated with gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea.
Magnesium Glycinate: Chemical and Biological Advantages
Magnesium glycinate is a chelated complex of magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine. In this structure, the magnesium ion is stably attached to glycine and is absorbed through amino acid transport pathways in the intestine. This characteristic leads to the following advantages:
- Higher absorption compared to non-chelated forms such as magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate
- Greater stability in the acidic environment of the stomach
- Reduced gastrointestinal irritation
- Better tolerability during long-term use
