What is Magnesium Chelate? 5 Key Benefits

What is Chelated Magnesium?

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in supporting the function of all tissues and organs of the human body [1]. Due to its chemical properties, magnesium is usually found in its cation form, i.e., as a positively charged molecule (Mg2+), and bound to other compounds. One of the forms of bound magnesium is chelated magnesium. So what does chelated magnesium mean?

Chelated magnesium is magnesium bound to a ligand known as chelant, chelator, chelating agent, or sequestering agent, which is often (but not necessarily) an organic compound such as an amino acid or an organic acid. Chelation is simply a type of chemical bonding between a ligand and a positively charged ion (i.e., a cation, like magnesium). Several chelated magnesium compounds are used as sources of magnesium in dietary supplements. These include for example, magnesium bisglycinate chelate and magnesium creatine chelate.

What’s the Difference Between Chelated and Other Forms of Magnesium?

Another common form of magnesium is magnesium salts. Salts are a type of chemical compound formed by a positively charged (cation) and negatively charged ion (anion) that are held together by electrostatic forces and form an electrically neutral compound. This type of chemical bond is known as an ionic bond; it is not as strong as a coordinate covalent bond, which is the type of bond in magnesium chelates. 

What both types of compounds have in common is that both chelated magnesium and magnesium salts can be used to supply magnesium to the human body. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals of our cells and tissues and maintaining optimal magnesium levels in the body is crucial to supporting health and well-being [1].*

Here are some of the main benefits of magnesium that chelated forms of magnesium may support.

5 Key Benefits of Chelated Magnesium

Supports Magnesium Absorption and Bioavailability

Magnesium chelates have stronger and more stable bonds than magnesium salts. In salts, because the chemical bonds are weaker, magnesium is more quickly released and becomes free to bind other dietary compounds, which can affect its bioavailability. Magnesium in chelates, on the other hand, remains bound to the ligand longer. Some magnesium–amino acid chelates may be absorbed in the gut via dipeptide channels (rather than ion channels, which is how free Mg2+ would be absorbed). The stable bonds of magnesium–amino acid compounds may allow them to remain longer in the bloodstream available for cellular uptake.* 

Support for Muscle Function 

Muscles require cellular energy to contract. This comes in the form of a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is produced with energy extracted from foods in cellular metabolic pathways. Magnesium acts as a cofactor that supports the activity of many of the enzymes that synthesize ATP and of all enzymes that use it. Furthermore, ATP must form a complex with magnesium (MgATP) to be active. Therefore, magnesium is essential for muscle function and muscle contraction [1–3]. Magnesium also balances the activity of calcium, which has a key role in muscle contraction. Low magnesium levels in muscles may lead to excessive contraction, resulting in muscle cramps and twitches. In clinical studies, magnesium has been shown to support optimal muscle strength and performance in both younger and older individuals [4,5].* 

Support for Cardiovascular Health

Similarly to skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle also relies on a steady supply of ATP, and consequently, requires that optimal magnesium levels be maintained. And also like skeletal muscle, magnesium also supports cardiac muscle contraction by influencing intracellular calcium levels. Magnesium also supports healthy vascular function by supporting healthy immune signaling and antioxidant defenses in blood vessels and promoting healthy vasodilation. Through these activities, magnesium supports vascular tone, cardiac output, and cardiac and vascular health and performance [1,2].*

Support for Relaxation and Sleep

Magnesium supports several aspects of healthy brain function, including neurotransmitter synthesis, neuronal communication, neuroplasticity, neuroprotection, and neuronal cell energy production [6]. Some of the benefits of magnesium for brain health contribute to the support of relaxation and sleep. For example, magnesium is a cofactor that supports the production of several important neurotransmitters and neurohormones involved in a healthy stress response [7] as well as processes that help to maintain healthy sleep-wake cycles [8,9]. Magnesium also supports balanced signaling by the neurotransmitter GABA, which is the main neurotransmitter able to reduce neuronal activation and that plays a key role in promoting relaxation and sleep [10,11]. Overall, magnesium supports physiological responses to stress and sleep physiology, contributing to a support of  mental well-being and sleep quality [12–17].* 

Support of Bone Health

Bones are the body’s largest reserves of magnesium. Around 50–60% of the total body magnesium content is stored in the bone's mineralized matrix bound to hydroxyapatite crystals. Magnesium supports balanced bone calcium levels and hydroxyapatite crystal size and formation, which promotes healthy bone structure and bone strength. It also supports the proliferation of osteoblasts, which are the cells that synthesize bone. Adequate magnesium levels are therefore essential for healthy bone formation and maintaining healthy bone mass. Immune signaling in the bone is also supported by magnesium, which helps to maintain healthy bone remodeling, i.e., balanced levels of bone resorption and production that are essential for keeping our bones healthy as we age [1,18].* 

Chelated Magnesium Supplements

Magnesium chelates can be used in supplements to support optimal magnesium levels in the body. Chelated forms of magnesium include, for example, magnesium bisglycinate chelate and magnesium creatine chelate, both of which are included in Qualia Magnesium+™, our recent addition to our Qualia supplements line. 

Key benefits & uses of chelated magnesium include:

• Support healthy magnesium levels*

• Support for muscle performance* 

• Support for relaxation and sleep quality*

• Supplement for overall well-being*

Qualia Magnesium+ features a total of 9 forms of magnesium and 70+ minerals. 

Chelated Magnesium FAQ

Common Questions and Answers about Chelated Magnesium

Which is better: magnesium chelate or glycinate?

Magnesium glycinate is a chelated form of magnesium, i.e., it is an example of a magnesium chelate. It is also known as magnesium bisglycinate or magnesium bisglycinate chelate. There are other forms of chelated magnesium, including magnesium creatine chelate, for example.

Is chelated magnesium good for sleep?

Chelated magnesium can be used to support optimal magnesium levels in the body. Magnesium supports neurotransmitters and enzymes involved in the physiological processes of sleep. Through these and other actions, magnesium is able to support sleep physiology and optimal sleep quality.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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