Magnesium Bisglycinate

Many companies use “buffered” magnesium bisglycinate. This means they mix bisglycinate with magnesium oxide. They do this because magnesium oxide is very cheap and has a high elemental value. This allows them to claim a higher magnesium content and sell it at a lower price.

Why we do not do this:

Better absorption: The body absorbs magnesium oxide extremely poorly, only about 4–5%. Pure bisglycinate is absorbed much more efficiently because the body recognizes it as an amino acid.

Better for your gut: Unabsorbed magnesium oxide attracts water in the intestines, often causing cramps or a laxative effect. Bisglycinate is generally gentle on the stomach.

If you want to check whether your current bisglycinate is pure, you have three options:

The ingredient list: Does it list magnesium oxide? Then it is buffered.

The ratio: Magnesium bisglycinate always contains about 10–14% elemental magnesium. If a brand does not state this percentage or does not list the original magnesium amount (e.g. 833mg magnesium bisglycinate = 100mg elemental magnesium) you cannot assume it is pure.

The amount:

• 💊Capsules: We use 12% bisglycinate, and we can just fit 100 mg of elemental magnesium into a standard 00 capsule while running the machine slower. If a capsule contains much more than 100 mg, includes other large ingredients, or has noticeable empty space left, the bisglycinate is likely not pure.
• ⚪Tablets: For tablets, it's a bit trickier, but still possible. We need to divide the amount of elemental magnesium by the total weight of the tablet. Let’s use 150mg of elemental magnesium with the theoretical maximum of 14.1%:

150 / 14.1% = 1,064mg

Keep in mind that fillers are necessary in tablets, which can account for 10–40%. Since bisglycinate is hygroscopic (it attracts moisture), it’s harder to work with and often requires more fillers. If we assume 20% filler:

1,064 / 80% = 1,330mg

So, if your tablet weighs less than 1,330 mg, it’s probably mixed with oxide. This calculation of course doesn't account for a higher percentage of fillers or other ingredients in the tablet (e.g., taurine), which may contribute to the weight.

Elemental magnesium refers to the amount of pure magnesium that is available for absorption by the body. The percentage of elemental magnesium differs per form, which affects how much is absorbed. With bisglycinate, this should always be between 10–14%.

Magnesium oxide is an inorganic form that contains a high amount of elemental magnesium but is barely absorbed by the body, only about 4–5%. Oxide is also known to attract water in the intestines, which can lead to cramps and a laxative effect.

Tablets are compressed under high pressure. To make this possible, many binders, coatings, and synthetic fillers are often required. In addition, tablets can sometimes be so hard that they do not break down properly in the stomach.

Magnesium stearate is a lubricant manufacturers use to make their machines run faster. We prefer to slow the machines down slightly and use natural alternatives such as rice starch and MCT powder.

Our Magnesium Mix holds, besides bisglycinate, magnesium taurate and magnesium L-threonate: three well-absorbed forms, each bound to a different compound (glycine, taurine and threonic acid). The claims magnesium may make are the same whichever form carries it; the mix gives you all three in one capsule.

Final production always takes place in the Netherlands, so we stay in full control of quality and safety. We source our ingredients directly from the origin, always from specialists who are best at what they do.

For every ingredient, there’s someone in the world who does it better than anyone else, and that’s who we work with. No middlemen. Only trusted suppliers who meet the strictest European standards.

At Clearly, our mission is simple: to keep searching for the #1, and make it available to you.

Because it’s clearly the inside that counts.

No flashy design or misleading labels, just a transparent pouch, so you can see exactly what’s inside. Too often, we buy things because they look or sound good… but inside? Sugar, fillers, or low-quality ingredients.

At Clearly, we do it Clearly: only #1 ingredients you can trust, and a fully transparent formula.

We use mono-material, one single type of plastic, which makes the pouch 100% recyclable. Unlike most packaging that mixes paper and plastic and can’t be properly recycled.

When it comes to health, the inside matters most. That’s Clearly.

Yes. Every ingredient is lab-tested for heavy metals, microbiology, and other potential contaminants.

We only use clean, traceable raw materials from trusted suppliers who meet the highest European safety standards.

If it’s not safe, tested, and the best, it’s not Clearly. We don’t go for "good enough", we go for #1 quality.

We use our own products daily. And just like you, we only want the best. Because if your health is #1, what you take should be too.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend checking with your doctor before taking any supplement. During this time, both your health and your baby’s health are clearly #1.