What is the Difference Between Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium Gluconate

The key difference between magnesium glycinate and magnesium gluconate is that magnesium glycinate is a chelate of amino acid glycine, whereas magnesium gluconate is a chelate of gluconic acid.

Magnesium glycinate and magnesium gluconate are important magnesium salts. Magnesium glycinate is the common name of the compound having the chemical formula C4H8MgN2O4. Magnesium gluconate is a chemical compound having the chemical formula MgC12H22O14.

CONTENT

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Magnesium Glycinate
3. What is Magnesium Gluconate
4. Magnesium Glycinate vs Magnesium Gluconate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Magnesium Glycinate vs Magnesium Gluconate

What is Magnesium Glycinate?

Magnesium glycinate is the common name for the compound having the chemical formula C4H8MgN2O4. It has one magnesium ion (Mg+2) in association with two glycinate ions. Its molecular weight is 172.42 g/mol.

Furthermore, magnesium glycinate is the magnesium salt of glycine. Glycine is an amino acid. Therefore, this compound is sold as a dietary supplement. This compound contains about 14.1% of magnesium by mass. Hence, 709 mg of magnesium glycinate contains 100 mg of magnesium, which makes this an effective dietary supplement. Magnesium is important for us because it can activate over 600 enzymes in our body. Moreover, it is essential for DNA and RNA synthesis.

We can use magnesium glycinate for many conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic stress, and inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we can use this substance to sleep easily because it will increase the production of GABA to help calm the mind, which allows us to sleep well.

We can take this supplement at any time of the day, but it is often recommended to take it 30 minutes prior to bedtime because then it will be absorbed into our body in full. Furthermore, the recommended daily dose for this supplement is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men.

What is Magnesium Gluconate?

Magnesium gluconate is a chemical compound having the chemical formula MgC12H22O14. It can be named as the magnesium salt of gluconic acid. According to some research studies, this compound shows the highest level of bioavailability of any magnesium salt. This implies its viability as a supplement.

Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium Gluconate - Side by Side Comparison

Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Magnesium Gluconate

Magnesium gluconate is useful in treating low blood magnesium levels. Usually, low magnesium levels in the blood are caused by gastrointestinal disorders, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, kidney disease, or other conditions. Moreover, some drugs also tend to lower the magnesium level in the blood. When taking this substance as a supplement, it is advised to take it with a meal or just after eating for better absorption. It usually comes in tablet form, so we can take it with a full glass of water.

There can be some side effects of taking magnesium gluconate, which include confusion, severe drowsiness, severe nausea or vomiting, muscle weakness, slow heart rate, etc.

What is the Difference Between Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium Gluconate?

The key difference between magnesium glycinate and magnesium gluconate is that magnesium glycinate is a chelate of amino acid glycine, whereas magnesium gluconate is a chelate of gluconic acid.

The following table summarizes the difference between magnesium glycinate and magnesium gluconate.

Summary – Magnesium Glycinate vs Magnesium Gluconate

Magnesium glycinate is the common name for the compound having the chemical formula C4H8MgN2O4. Magnesium gluconate is a chemical compound having the chemical formula MgC12H22O14. The key difference between magnesium glycinate and magnesium gluconate is that magnesium glycinate is a chelate of amino acid glycine, whereas magnesium gluconate is a chelate of gluconic acid.