The Science of Absorption: How Chemical Form and Diet Influence Magnesium Bioavailability
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A 2025 study published in Nutrients (MDPI) utilized a rigorous two-stage in vitro digestion model—mimicking the human stomach and small intestine—to determine which forms of magnesium are most effectively absorbed. The research specifically looked at how different "food matrices" (diets high in fiber, protein, or standard nutrients) affect the absorption of 12 different magnesium products, including organic chelates like magnesium bisglycinate.
The researchers identified several key findings regarding bisglycinate's performance:
Superior Bioavailability: While the average magnesium absorption across all diets hovered around 48–52%, specific formulations of magnesium bisglycinate achieved significantly higher bioavailability, reaching peaks of 70.51%. This confirms that the chemical structure of bisglycinate allows it to be more "bioaccessible" than many other organic and inorganic salts.
The Protein Advantage: The study found that magnesium bisglycinate absorption was most efficient when paired with a "basic diet" (high in protein and low in fiber). This suggests that the amino acid pathways used by bisglycinate are enhanced by certain nutritional environments, making it a highly reliable form for those with specific dietary patterns.
Resilience Against Inhibitors: Unlike other forms that can be blocked by dietary phytates (found in grains and nuts), the chelated structure of magnesium bisglycinate provides a protective "buffer." This allows the magnesium to remain stable through the digestive tract until it reaches the optimal site for absorption in the small intestine.
The study concludes that magnesium bisglycinate is one of the most effective tools for correcting deficiencies because it maintains high absorption rates regardless of the presence of typical dietary inhibitors, making it a "top-tier" choice for supplementation.
Article: In Vitro Evaluation of Bioavailability of Mg from Daily Food Rations, Dietary Supplements and Medicinal Products from the Polish Market
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