Magnesium is an important mineral required by more than 300 chemical reactions in the human body, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health. Magnesium is available in health supplements in several different formulations, including magnesium glycinate, and is commonly used to treat constipation or to treat magnesium deficiency. As with any health supplement, consult a qualified physician before taking magnesium glycinate.
Pure Magnesium
Magnesium is the seventh-most-abundant mineral on the planet and exists in large quantities in the earth's crust. Magnesium is also the fourth-most-abundant mineral in the human body, and it is in large amounts in bone, muscle and brain. Pure magnesium is a highly flammable metal that quickly reacts with other chemicals to form more stable complexes, according to the Jefferson Lab, a facility of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility . All health supplements contain magnesium bound to another molecule, such as glycine.
Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium glycinate is a complex of magnesium with the amino acid glycine. Unlike many other forms of available magnesium, which are bound to inorganic molecules like chloride or sulfate ions, the glycine in magnesium glycinate is a soluble, organic molecule. Binding magnesium to an organic molecule such as glycine may result in a form of magnesium that is easier for the body to absorb and less likely to cause side effects, according to the website EnzymeStuff. However, these claims have not been verified in clinical trials.
Uses
Because magnesium glycinate may be absorbed better than other forms of magnesium, it is less likely to have a laxative effect on the body. While a decreased laxative effect makes magnesium glycinate a poor choice to treat constipation, it may be more effective for treating magnesium deficiency than other forms of magnesium, according to Dr. P. Thomas Riley of the University of Mary Washington.
Other Forms of Magnesium
Supplemental magnesium is sold in complex with several other types of chemicals. Magnesium hydroxide, which is also called milk of magnesia, is one of the cheapest and most commonly available forms of magnesium and is frequently used to treat constipation. Magnesium sulfate, also known as Epsom salt, is also used to treat constipation and as a soaking aid for minor cuts and bruises. Other forms include magnesium malate, which may be used as an alternative medicine to treat fibromyalgia, a rare, painful muscle condition.
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