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Did you know that magnesium is essential for over 600 biochemical reactions in the body?
It supports everything from relaxing muscles, easing soreness and boosting energy production. Additionally, it can help you manage stress, calm your mind, and assist with cardiovascular health. These are fantastic benefits! To ensure adults are consistently getting the recommended daily amount, Ethical Nutrients Mega Magnesium supplements can be a great tool. However, the key is making sure your body can absorb the magnesium well enough to truly support all these critical areas.
According to research, Magnesium Glycinate (MagActive®) offers superior absorption compared to other forms.¹ It makes it easy for the body to utilise, supporting your magnesium levels for maximum benefits. Because of this, magnesium glycinate is less likely to cause digestive discomfort than other types of magnesium found commonly in supplements.¹,² In this article, we break down the science behind Magnesium Glycinate (MagActive®) and how it delivers its benefits in the body.
What Makes MagActive® Magnesium Glycinate Different?
MagActive® is a high-potency magnesium glycinate with superior absorption whilst being gentle on the digestive tract.¹ Here’s what sets it apart:
Up to 4x better absorbed than magnesium oxide*
Gentle on the stomach, even at higher doses+
Clinically relevant strength to support whole-body magnesium balance
You feel the difference in as little as 3 days†
It starts working in just 30 minutes, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine.**
Whether you're focused on muscle health, boosting energy, managing stress, or simply maintaining your overall levels, MagActive® Magnesium Glycinate is here to help you feel your best faster.
The Science Behind MagActive® Magnesium Glycinate Absorption
MagActive® magnesium bisglycinate is a fully chelated form of magnesium, meaning it is bound to glycine—a naturally occurring amino acid. This type of chelation helps prevent magnesium from interacting with other compounds in the small intestine, such as phytates found in nuts, legumes, and wholegrains, which can inhibit absorption. As a result, more magnesium reaches the intestinal wall, where it can be effectively absorbed. Enhanced absorption also reduces the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects, such as loose bowels, that are sometimes associated with magnesium supplementation.¹,²
Key Benefits of Magnesium Glycinate Explained
How Does Magnesium Help with Muscle Cramps and Soreness?
Have you ever wondered how magnesium actually relaxes sore muscles? It all comes down to its relationship with calcium within your muscle cells. Inside your muscle fibers, calcium signals contraction for movement, but magnesium competes with it to allow the muscle to relax and let go. This is why supplementing with magnesium is beneficial for relieving muscle spasms and cramps, as well as supporting muscle relaxation.³
Benefits of Boosting Energy with Magnesium
Magnesium is essential for keeping your energy levels high. It’s involved in numerous processes, but when it comes to fuel, your body needs it to convert the carbs and fats you eat into usable energy. In fact, the main energy source for all your cells (a molecule called ATP) needs to physically bind with magnesium to become active and do its job.⁴
How Does Magnesium Support a Calm Mind and a Healthy Stress Response?
Did you know that stress can deplete your magnesium levels? And that low magnesium can make it harder to cope with stress? It’s a vicious cycle.⁵ Magnesium glycinate helps break that cycle by supporting healthy magnesium levels. By calming the brain, magnesium helps you feel centred and ready to tackle life’s challenges.
Benefits of Magnesium for Heart Health
Magnesium is absolutely vital for maintaining cardiovascular health and ensuring normal heart function. It plays a critical role in regulating heart rhythm and blood pressure, making it an essential nutrient for your entire circulatory system.⁴
Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes MagActive® different from other magnesium forms?
Unlike standard magnesium supplements, MagActive® is fully chelated, meaning the magnesium is bound to glycine. This structure:
Protects magnesium from binding with dietary anti-nutrients
Enhances absorption through multiple pathways in the gut
Supports both active and passive transport channels for maximum benefit
2. Is MagActive® Magnesium Glycinate gentle on the stomach?
Yes, MagActive® Magnesium Glycinate is designed to be well-tolerated and gentle on the stomach, which is helpful if other forms of magnesium cause digestive issues.
3. Is MagActive®Magnesium Glycinate suitable for daily use?
Absolutely. MagActive® Magnesium Glycinate is featured in Ethical Nutrients products like Mega Magnesium Glycinate 5-in-1, designed for everyday support.
4. What are the benefits of better absorption?
Better absorption means more magnesium reaches your cells, where it helps:
Muscle Relief: Helps to relieve muscle cramps and mild spasms.
Muscle Function: Supports healthy muscle function and relaxation.
Energy: Helps to assist energy levels.
Stress Support: Provides assistance during times of stress.
Heart Health: Supports cardiovascular health.
5. Is Magnesium Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, magnesium is safe and often beneficial during pregnancy, but dosage and form should always be checked with a healthcare provider. Pregnant women need around 300–400 mg/day, like other adults.⁶
References
- Vynckier A-K., Vanheule G., Vervaet C., Van Den Driessche M. Type of Magnesium Salt and Formulation Solubility Determines Bioavailability of Magnesium Food Supplement J Nutr Food Sci.2020. doi:10.35248/2155-9600.20.10.781. Sponsored by Metagenics Inc., Europe.
- Blancquaert L, Vervaet C, Derave W. Predicting and Testing Bioavailability of Magnesium Supplements. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1663. doi:10.3390/nu11071663.
- Magnesium. Natural Medicines Database. Therapeutic Research Centre. Updated May 16, 2025. Accessed May 22, 2025. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com
- Higdon J, 2019, Magnesium, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, viewed 28 August 2023, <https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium>
- Pickering G, Mazur A, Trousselard M, et al. Magnesium status and stress: the vicious circle concept revisited. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3672. doi:10.3390/nu12123672.
- Fiorentini D, Cappadone C, Farruggia G, Prata C. Magnesium: Biochemistry, Nutrition, Detection, and Social Impact of Diseases Linked to Its Deficiency. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1136. doi:10.3390/nu13041136.
Disclaimers
*Up to 4x better absorbed compared to magnesium oxide. Vynckier et al, J of Nutr & Food Sci. 2020. Sponsored by Metagenics Inc., Europe.
+Compared to magnesium chloride and oxide.
†Based on formulations providing ≥200 mg magnesium per day.
**Based on the disintegration time of tablets.
