Magnesium Glycinate

100% clean formula.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. All Ethical Nutrition products are free from animal-based ingredients and by-products. Registered with the vegan society. 

Free-from: GMOs, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin, Palm Oil/Palm Oil Derivatives, Maltodextrin, Bulking Agents, Titanium Dioxide, Sugar. 

Allergen-free: totally free from gluten and allergen containing ingredients.

Additive-free: We don't use any nasty additives and where required we use gluten-free rice extract to help us to blend together ingredients and ensure they are accurately dosed.

At Ethical Nutrition we offer 3 forms of magnesium: glycinate, malate, and taurate. Each form delivers a high rate of absorption with low risk of digestive discomfort compared to other forms of magnesium such as oxide and carbonate.

Magnesium glycinate is an easy to digest and well absorbed form of magnesium that may help regulate mood, support restful sleep, and optimise energy levels. 

Using glycine as the mineral carrier molecule increases the absorption of magnesium across the intestinal wall, making it an effective choice for those looking to improve magnesium levels [1].

• Reduces anxiety and depression: The combined calming effects of magnesium and glycine may lower symptoms related to stress and anxiety [2]. It does so by reducing the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters and enhancing serotonin transmission to help regulate mood. Magnesium helps modulate stress hormone sensitivity which in turn downregulates the stress response.  
• Improves sleep quality by promoting muscle relaxation and supporting biochemical pathways associated with sleep, leading to better mental focus and less daytime fatigue [3].
• Supports blood pressure regulation: Magnesium works with calcium to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and support overall cardiovascular health[4].
• Decreases PMS symptoms: Shown to alleviate cramps and pain associated with PMS, likely due to its anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing properties [5].
• Enhances insulin function and glucose metabolism. Magnesium supplements have been shown to improve insulin resistance and aid glucose metabolism [6]. 

Magnesium glycinate may be helpful for people with:

• A diet low in magnesium. Diets that lack green leafy vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, and seeds, are likely to be very low in magnesium.
• Low energy, fatigue, and chronic fatigue.
• PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) and other hormonal imbalances.
• Low mood, depression, and anxiety.
• Poor sleep patterns and insomnia.
• People with insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
• People with high blood pressure.

Magnesium always has a travel companion i.e. a carrier molecule, to make sure it can be absorbed and utilised by the body. In this product we are using the amino acid glycine. The term “chelated”(also known as “fully reacted”) means that the magnesium molecule is directly bound to the glycine and there is no other form of magnesium involved. 

Chelation comes from the Greek word for “claw”. The glycine molecule literally claws onto the magnesium, holding it tight.

Chelated magnesium (also called fully reacted magnesium contains only magnesium and the specific carrier molecule (e.g. taurine, glycine, malic acid). We state this on the label because it sets the product apart from lesser forms of magnesium that are not as well absorbed and bioavailable.

Regular magnesium products are either blended or buffered with magnesium oxide.

Blended forms contain magnesium oxide with an organic carrier molecule like citrate for example. The citrate is there to improve the product because magnesium oxide has a low rate of absorption and bioavailability. 

Buffered forms contain a small amount of chelated magnesium mixed with magnesium oxide. This is slightly better than the blended form but not as good as pure 100% chelated magnesium.

Research shows that magnesium absorption is most efficient when it is taken in smaller doses throughout the day rather than one large dose [7]. 

Taking a large dose can overwhelm the gut’s absorption capacity whereas lower, more frequent doses provide a smaller but more sustained amount of magnesium.

For optimum absorption we recommend taking 1 capsule with either breakfast and lunch or lunch and evening meal. However, if you feel you might forget to take a second dose later in the day it’s fine to take both capsules at once.

Magnesium glycinate is easy to digest and less likely to cause loose stools or diarrhoea compared to other forms of magnesium like oxide or citrate.

Always follow the recommended dosage instructions. Taking excessive amounts of any form of magnesium can lead to irregular heartbeat, very low blood pressure, and muscle weakness. 

1. Cuciureanu, M.D., & Vink, R. 2011. Magnesium and stress. In R. Vink & M. Nechifor (Eds.), Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press. Link.
2. Boyle, N. B., Lawton, C., & Dye, L. 2017. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress—A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 9(5), 429. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9050429
3. Arab, A., Rafie, N., Amani, R., & Shirani, F. 2023. The Role of Magnesium in Sleep Health: a Systematic Review of Available Literature. Biological Trace Element Research, 201(1), 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1
4. Houston, M. 2011. The role of magnesium in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 13(11), 843-847. link
5. Facchinetti, F., Borella, P., Sances, G., Fioroni, L., Nappi, R.E. & Genazzani, A.R. 1991. Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes. Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 78(2), 177-181. Link
6. Morais, J.B.S., Severo, J.S., De Alencar, G.R.R., De Oliveira, A.R.S., Cruz, K.J.C., Marreiro, D.D.N., Freitas, B.D.J.E.S.D.A., De Carvalho, C.M.R., Martins, M.D.C.D. C.E., & Frota, K.D.M.G. 2017. Effect of magnesium supplementation on insulin resistance in humans: A systematic review. Nutrition, 38, 54-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2017.01.009 Link 
7. Schuchardt, J. P., & Hahn, A. 2017. Intestinal Absorption and Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Magnesium-An Update. Current Nutrition and Food Science, 13(4), 260. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401313666170427162740