Delivering 350 mg of elemental magnesium bound to the calming amino acid glycine and enhanced with BioPerine® black pepper extract, Solaray’s scientifically formulated bisglycinate chelate is engineered for maximum cellular uptake without the gastrointestinal discomfort or loose stools common to inferior magnesium salts.
✓Gentle on Digestion: Non-buffered, non-laxative form
✓Lab-Verified Purity: Tested for heavy metals and identity
What Makes Magnesium Glycinate 350mg Superior?
Not all magnesium supplements provide equal physiological value. Common over-the-counter options like magnesium oxide possess an elemental absorption rate of only roughly 4% to 5%, remaining unabsorbed in the intestinal lumen where they exert an osmotic draw resulting in rapid laxative effects.
Solaray Magnesium Glycinate bonds each elemental magnesium cation to two molecules of L-glycine, creating a stable, uncharged ring structure known as magnesium bisglycinate. This specialized molecular structure confers two crucial biological advantages:
Alternative Peptide Uptake (PEPT1): Because the magnesium is shielded inside the chelate, it is absorbed through peptide transporter channels in the jejunum rather than competing for classical mineral ion channels (TRPM6/TRPM7). This prevents competitive inhibition from calcium and dietary phosphorus.
Zero Osmotic Irritation: Because bisglycinate stays intact across the gastric acid barrier without dissociating prematurely, it prevents unabsorbed free magnesium ions from drawing excess water into the lower bowel.
Evidence-Based Health Benefits
Magnesium is a vital cofactor in over 300 biochemical reactions in the human body, governing ATP energy production, protein synthesis, and neuromuscular conduction. Combined with glycine, its clinical applications include:
1. Deep Sleep Quality & Circadian Balance
Magnesium activates parasympathetic nerve receptors and functions as a natural agonist for inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) pathways while blocking excitatory N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In parallel, glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brainstem, helping to lower nocturnal core body temperature and accelerate sleep onset latency.
Prolonged psychological and physical stress increases urinary magnesium excretion, establishing a state of clinical depletion. Supplemental magnesium down-regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis sensitivity, helping to moderate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release and maintain balanced resting cortisol profiles.
3. Neuromuscular Relaxation & Cramp Defense
Calcium stimulates muscle fiber contraction, while magnesium triggers active relaxation by regulating sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium re-uptake. Adequate intracellular magnesium stops spontaneous motor nerve depolarization, relieving nighttime leg twitching and post-exercise muscle tightness.
4. Bone Mineralization & Cardiovascular Tone
Approximately 60% of bodily magnesium resides within bone tissue, where it assists in converting Vitamin D into its biologically active form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). Additionally, magnesium preserves smooth vascular muscle tone, supporting healthy arterial elasticity and baseline blood pressure levels.
The BioPerine® Synergy: Advanced Thermonutrient Uptake
Solaray strengthens this formula by pairing 350 mg of elemental magnesium bisglycinate with 5 mg of BioPerine®, a patented extract standardized to 95% piperine derived from black pepper fruit (Piper nigrum).
Clinical studies demonstrate that piperine induces local thermogenic action along the gastrointestinal brush border, temporarily increasing microvascular blood flow and epithelial membrane permeability. This mechanism amplifies the delivery of amino acid-bound minerals across the intestinal wall directly into systemic circulation.
BioPerine® Black Pepper Extract (Piper nigrum) (fruit) (standardized 95% piperine)
5 mg *
* Daily Value (DV) not established.
Other Ingredients
Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose, and Silica.
Dietary & Quality Assurances
✓ 100% Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly |
✓ Non-GMO |
✓ Gluten-Free |
✓ Lab Verified in ISO-Accredited Facilities for Potency and Purity
Recommended Usage & Safe Dosing Guidelines
Suggested Adult Use: Take 4 VegCaps daily with a meal or an 8-ounce glass of water. Dosages may be taken all at once approximately 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime to encourage muscular ease and sleep, or divided into two capsules with breakfast and two capsules with dinner to provide continuous relaxation support throughout the day.
Understanding the 350 mg Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Academy of Medicine establish the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for supplemental magnesium at 350 mg per day for adults. While dietary magnesium from food sources (like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds) is naturally self-limiting, supplemental magnesium should stay within this verified clinical range unless otherwise instructed by a physician. Solaray’s 350 mg formulation delivers the exact upper safe threshold to provide clinical benefits without risking excess buildup.
Clinical Precautions, Contraindications & Drug Interactions
Please consult your licensed healthcare provider prior to supplementing with magnesium bisglycinate, particularly if you fall under any of the following clinical categories:
Renal Impairment / Kidney Disease: Because excess magnesium is cleared through renal filtration, individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or reduced glomerular filtration rates must not consume high-dose magnesium supplements due to hypermagnesemia risk.
Antibiotic Spacing: Magnesium cations can bind to oral tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline) and fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin), forming insoluble chelates that impair drug absorption. Take magnesium at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after antibiotic doses.
Bisphosphonates: Take magnesium supplements at least 2 hours apart from osteoporosis bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate) to prevent decreased drug bioavailability.
Hypotension & Bradycardia: Due to its natural vasodilatory and calcium-channel-modulating properties, high doses may potentiate blood-pressure-lowering medications.
*Medical Disclaimer: The statements presented on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magnesium Glycinate 350mg
What does "350 mg elemental magnesium" mean?
"Elemental magnesium" refers to the actual weight of the pure mineral itself, separate from the glycine molecules bound to it. Because magnesium bisglycinate contains roughly 10% to 14% elemental magnesium by raw mass, a full 4-capsule serving provides 350 mg of pure, absorbable magnesium.
Will Solaray Magnesium Glycinate cause loose stools or diarrhea?
Unlike magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate, magnesium bisglycinate is chelated with two amino acids. This prevents premature ionization in the stomach and ensures absorption via peptide pathways rather than drawing water into the bowel, making it gentle on sensitive stomachs.
When is the best time of day to take this supplement?
For sleep architecture, evening restlessness, and overnight muscle relaxation, take 4 capsules 30 to 60 minutes before bed with water. For daytime stress and tension management, split your serving: 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 capsules with dinner.
Why is BioPerine® included in this formula?
BioPerine® is a patented black pepper extract containing 95% piperine. It enhances intestinal nutrient absorption by stimulating gastrointestinal blood flow and active transport across the mucosal lining.
Can I take this supplement with my daily multivitamin or calcium?
Yes. However, if your multivitamin contains high doses of calcium or zinc (over 25 mg), it is best to take your magnesium glycinate at a separate meal or at bedtime, as large amounts of competing minerals can share secondary absorption pathways.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements:Magnesium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Establishes the adult Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for supplemental magnesium at 350 mg/day.
Schuette SA, et al. (1994): "Bioavailability of magnesium diglycinate vs magnesium oxide in patients with ileal resection." JPEN Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 18(5):430-435. PMID: 7815675.
Abbasi B, et al. (2012): "The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial." Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 17(12):1161-1169. PMID: 23853635.
Kawai N, et al. (2015): "The sleep-promoting and hypothermic effects of glycine are mediated by NMDA receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus." Neuropsychopharmacology, 40(6):1405-1416. PMID: 25533534.
Badmaev V, Majeed M, Prakash L. (1999): "Piperine-mediated synthetic and natural nutrient bioavailability enhancement." Planta Medica, 65(3):241-246. PMID: 10232490.
