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Magnesium Aspartate vs Glycinate

When it comes to magnesium supplements, magnesium aspartate vs glycinate is a common comparison.
Both types offer great benefits, but their absorption rates and effects on the body differ.
Whether you're looking to improve muscle function, enhance relaxation, or support overall health, understanding the differences between these two forms of magnesium will help you choose the one that suits your needs best.
In this article, we'll explore the unique benefits of magnesium aspartate and glycinate and compare how they work to help you make an informed choice.
What this article covers:
- Introduction to Magnesium Supplements
- Magnesium Aspartate: Overview and Benefits
- Magnesium Glycinate: Overview and Benefits
- Magnesium Aspartate vs Magnesium Glycinate: Key Differences
- Which Magnesium Supplement is Best for You?
Introduction to Magnesium Supplements
What is Magnesium and Its Role in the Body?
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many processes in the body. It helps regulate muscle function, supports nerve function, maintains bone health, and is involved in energy production.
Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels and supports heart health by maintaining normal blood pressure.
Since magnesium is involved in so many critical bodily functions, it's important to ensure you're getting enough of it.
Many people struggle to get sufficient magnesium through diet alone, which is why supplements are often recommended.
Different Forms of Magnesium and Their Benefits
There are several forms of magnesium available in supplement form, each with its own unique benefits.
Some forms are absorbed more easily by the body, while others are better suited for specific health concerns.
Magnesium oxide, magnesium glycinate (otherwise known as magnesium bisglycinate), magnesium gluconate, magnesium malate, and magnesium citrate are just a few examples of the many types of magnesium supplements.
In this article, we'll focus on comparing magnesium aspartate vs glycinate, two popular forms of magnesium that offer unique advantages.
Magnesium Aspartate: Overview and Benefits
What is Magnesium Aspartate?
Magnesium aspartate is a form of magnesium that is bound to aspartic acid, an amino acid that helps improve the absorption of magnesium in the body.
This combination allows magnesium aspartate to be more readily absorbed than other less bioavailable forms like magnesium oxide.
It's often used to support general magnesium supplementation and is popular among athletes for its role in muscle function and recovery.
Key Benefits of Magnesium Aspartate
Magnesium aspartate is known for its ability to support energy production, muscle function, and overall athletic performance.
It helps replenish magnesium levels in the body, which can become depleted during intense physical activity. It's also helpful for relieving muscle cramps, improving exercise performance, and reducing fatigue.
Common Uses of Magnesium Aspartate
Magnesium aspartate is commonly used to support muscle function and prevent cramps, especially in individuals who engage in physical activity.
It is also used to help with fatigue and muscle recovery. People who experience magnesium deficiency or those seeking to boost their magnesium levels often turn to magnesium aspartate as a supplement.
Magnesium Aspartate's Absorption and Bioavailability
Magnesium aspartate is well-absorbed by the body due to the presence of aspartic acid, which enhances magnesium's bioavailability.
This makes it a good option for people looking for a magnesium supplement that is efficiently absorbed.
While it's not the most bioavailable form of magnesium, it's still a popular choice for improving overall magnesium levels and supporting muscle function.
Magnesium Glycinate: Overview and Benefits
What is Magnesium Glycinate?
Magnesium glycinate is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium, where magnesium is bound to two molecules of glycine, an amino acid.
This combination enhances magnesium's absorption, making it one of the most efficient forms of magnesium available.
Magnesium glycinate is often recommended for people with magnesium deficiencies or those who want to optimise their magnesium intake.
Key Benefits of Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium glycinate is widely used for its calming effects, particularly in promoting relaxation, improving sleep quality, and reducing stress.
It is also beneficial for muscle function and can help alleviate cramps.
Since it's well absorbed, magnesium glycinate is an excellent choice for overall magnesium supplementation, especially for those who struggle with other forms of magnesium that might cause digestive discomfort.
Common Uses of Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium glycinate is commonly used to help with sleep, stress, and muscle relaxation.
People suffering from anxiety, insomnia, or muscle cramps often turn to magnesium glycinate for its calming effects. It's also used for general magnesium supplementation due to its superior bioavailability.
Magnesium Glycinate's Absorption and Bioavailability
Magnesium glycinate has one of the highest absorption rates of any magnesium supplement, thanks to its chelation with glycine.
This means the body can utilise magnesium glycinate more efficiently than many other forms, making it a popular choice for those who need to optimise their magnesium levels.
Its excellent absorption also means it's less likely to cause digestive discomfort, which is common with other forms like magnesium oxide or citrate.

Magnesium Aspartate vs Magnesium Glycinate: Key Differences
Absorption and Bioavailability
The main difference between magnesium aspartate vs glycinate lies in their absorption rates.
Magnesium glycinate is the superior option when it comes to bioavailability, meaning it is absorbed by the body more efficiently than magnesium aspartate.
This makes magnesium glycinate a top choice for people looking to optimise their magnesium intake with minimal side effects.
Magnesium aspartate is still well absorbed, but it doesn't quite match the bioavailability of glycinate.
Effectiveness for Muscle Function and Relaxation
Magnesium aspartate is often preferred for muscle function and recovery due to its role in improving energy production and reducing fatigue.
It is commonly used by athletes or people engaging in intense physical activity to support muscle performance.
Magnesium glycinate, while also beneficial for muscle function, is more renowned for its ability to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
If your goal is muscle recovery and performance, magnesium aspartate is ideal. For relaxation, sleep, and general stress relief, magnesium glycinate is the better choice.
Impact on Sleep and Stress Reduction
Magnesium glycinate shines in the area of sleep support and stress reduction. Its calming effects, coupled with its excellent absorption rate, make it a popular choice for people suffering from insomnia or anxiety.
Magnesium aspartate is less effective for these purposes, as it is primarily used for muscle support and energy production rather than relaxation.
Side Effects and Tolerability
Magnesium glycinate is known for its gentleness on the stomach and is less likely to cause digestive upset compared to other forms of magnesium like magnesium oxide or citrate.
Magnesium aspartate is also generally well tolerated, but it can cause mild digestive discomfort in some individuals, especially when taken in high doses.
Both forms are relatively mild on the digestive system, but magnesium glycinate is typically considered the gentler of the two.
Cost and Availability
Magnesium aspartate is usually more affordable than magnesium glycinate, making it a great option for people on a budget.
Magnesium glycinate, while slightly more expensive, offers superior absorption and effectiveness, particularly for those looking to improve their sleep quality and manage stress.
The price difference may be worth it for those seeking optimal magnesium supplementation.

Which Magnesium Supplement is Best for You?
Choosing Based on Health Goals
When deciding between magnesium aspartate vs glycinate, consider your specific health goals. If you need support for muscle function, performance, and recovery, magnesium aspartate is likely the best option.
If your goal is to reduce stress, improve sleep, and optimise magnesium absorption, magnesium glycinate is the better choice.
Magnesium for Muscle Recovery and Performance
For those focused on muscle recovery and performance, magnesium aspartate is the preferred choice. It helps improve energy production, reduce fatigue, and support muscle function. Magnesium glycinate can also help with muscle function, but it is better suited for relaxation and stress management.
Magnesium for Sleep, Stress, and Cognitive Function
Magnesium glycinate is the go-to choice for sleep support, relaxation, and stress relief. Its calming effects make it ideal for improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety.
If cognitive function and mental clarity are a priority, magnesium glycinate is also beneficial due to its role in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Aspartate and Glycinate
When choosing between magnesium aspartate and magnesium glycinate, consider factors such as your health goals, budget, and tolerance.
If muscle support and performance are your main concerns, magnesium aspartate is a great option. If relaxation, sleep, and stress management are your focus, magnesium glycinate is the better choice.
Conclusion
In the debate of magnesium aspartate vs glycinate, the best option depends on your specific health needs.
Magnesium aspartate is excellent for muscle recovery, performance, and energy production, while magnesium glycinate is the superior choice for stress relief, better sleep, and overall relaxation.
Whether you're curious about magnesium malate vs bisglycinate, magnesium oxide vs magnesium glycinate or magnesium vs calcium, we've got the answer!
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Perfect for anyone seeking a gentle yet effective way to boost magnesium levels, this product is a must-have for your daily routine.
At Vitamart, we offer a variety of magnesium supplements to meet your individual needs. Visit our website today to find the perfect magnesium supplement for you!
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