What is magnesium glycinate used for?

What is Magnesium Glycinate Used For?

Magnesium glycinate is primarily used as a dietary supplement to correct magnesium deficiency and is particularly valued for general supplementation because it has better bioavailability than inorganic forms and causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to other magnesium salts. 1

Primary Clinical Applications

General Magnesium Supplementation

• Magnesium glycinate is recommended as a preferred form for general supplementation due to its superior bioavailability as an organic magnesium salt compared to inorganic forms like magnesium oxide 1
• It can be used for maintenance therapy after intravenous magnesium correction or for treating mild magnesium deficiency 1
• The typical starting dose is the recommended daily allowance (320 mg for women, 420 mg for men), which can be gradually increased according to tolerance 1

Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions

• Magnesium glycinate has shown rapid effectiveness for major depression, with case histories demonstrating recovery in less than 7 days using 125-300 mg with each meal and at bedtime 2
• It may help with anxiety symptoms, though the evidence is mixed and larger trials are needed to confirm efficacy 3
• Magnesium plays an essential role in nerve transmission and has been implicated in migraine prevention, chronic pain, and other neurological disorders 4
• Related mental health symptoms including suicidal ideation, irritability, insomnia, postpartum depression, and substance abuse have also shown benefit 2

Sleep Quality

• Magnesium supplementation may improve sleep quality, particularly in those with low magnesium status at baseline 3
• The majority of studies examining sleep-related outcomes showed improvements in at least one sleep parameter 3

Chemotherapy-Related Hypomagnesemia

• Oral magnesium glycinate can be used for maintenance therapy after IV correction of hypomagnesemia caused by chemotherapy medications like cisplatin or cetuximab 1

Advantages Over Other Magnesium Forms

Gastrointestinal Tolerability

• Magnesium glycinate causes less diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress compared to magnesium citrate or oxide, making it preferable for patients who need supplementation without laxative effects 1, 5
• While it may still cause mild to moderate bloating or diarrhea, these effects are typically less pronounced than with other forms 1

Bioavailability

• As an organic magnesium salt, glycinate has higher bioavailability than inorganic forms like magnesium oxide or hydroxide 1
• The bioavailability differences between different organic compounds (citrate vs. glycinate) are not well established in clinical trials, but both are superior to inorganic forms 1

When NOT to Use Magnesium Glycinate

Absolute Contraindications

• Avoid in patients with significant renal impairment (creatinine clearance <20 mL/min) due to risk of life-threatening hypermagnesemia 1, 5
• Do not use in patients with pre-existing hypermagnesemia 1

When Other Forms Are Preferred

• If constipation is the primary concern, choose magnesium citrate instead due to its stronger osmotic effect that draws water into the intestines 1
• For bowel preparation before colonoscopy, magnesium citrate is the appropriate choice 1
• Magnesium oxide has been specifically studied for chronic idiopathic constipation at doses of 1.5 g/day 1

Practical Dosing Strategy

Administration Recommendations

• Spread doses throughout the day rather than taking a single large dose to optimize absorption and minimize side effects 1
• For depression and related conditions, doses of 125-300 mg with each meal and at bedtime have been effective 2
• Liquid or dissolvable formulations are better tolerated than pills 1

Monitoring Requirements

• Monitor calcium levels after starting magnesium glycinate, as patients are at increased risk of developing hypocalcemia 1
• In patients with normal renal function, serum magnesium imbalances are typically transient and of little clinical concern 1

Important Clinical Pearls

Mechanism of Action

• Magnesium regulates calcium ion flow in neuronal calcium channels and helps regulate neuronal nitric oxide production 2
• Magnesium deficiency can cause neuronal damage that may manifest as depression, anxiety, or other neurological symptoms 2, 4

Dietary Context

• Only 16% of magnesium found in whole wheat remains in refined flour, and magnesium has been removed from most drinking water supplies, creating widespread deficiency 2
• Food sources include green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains 6

Safety Profile

• Magnesium is generally safe at appropriate dosages but may cause adverse effects or death at high dosages 6
• Use with caution in elderly patients and those with heart failure or electrolyte disturbances 1