Magnesium is a macromineral that is widely used by the body for various metabolic processes. As such, you need to consume a certain amount of magnesium every day in order to stay healthy and keep your organs functioning properly. Magnesium's many vital roles include maintaining strong and healthy teeth, bones and muscles and supporting your body’s natural production of the antioxidant glutathione.
Since your body normally only absorbs about 30-40% of the magnesium you consume, magnesium supplements are usually chelated – bound to another substance – to make them easier to absorb. But not all forms of magnesium are equal. Some are more efficient at providing certain benefits than others. When magnesium is chelated to the amino acid glycine, the organic glycine molecules protect the inorganic magnesium molecules from adverse interactions with other substances. This results in magnesium glycinate, one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium.
Compared to other magnesium supplements, magnesium glycinate is also one of the most highly recommended because it is incredibly gentle on the stomach. Additionally, magnesium glycinate has a calming effect on your brain thanks to the presence of glycine.