Magnesium (as Magnesium Glycinate Glutamine Chelate, Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate (TRAACS®))
Mechanism of Action +
### The Biochemistry of Mineral Chelation Magnesium is an essential macromineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body, including ATP synthesis, muscle contraction, and neurotransmitter regulation. However, inorganic forms of magnesium (such as magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate) suffer from notoriously poor bioavailability—often as low as 4%. This is due to their ionic charge, which causes them to bind with dietary inhibitors like phytates and oxalates in the gut, forming insoluble complexes that are excreted. Furthermore, unabsorbed magnesium ions draw water into the intestines via osmosis, leading to the common side effect of diarrhea.
To overcome these physiological barriers, Albion® Minerals developed the TRAACS® (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System) technology. Chelation involves bonding a central metal ion (magnesium) to organic ligands (amino acids like glycine and glutamine) at multiple points, creating a stable, neutral ring structure. Because the resulting molecule is electrically neutral, it does not interact with dietary inhibitors or draw water into the bowel.
### Absorption via Dipeptide Pathways The true biochemical advantage of Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate lies in its absorption kinetics. Standard mineral ions must pass through specific ion channels in the enterocytes (intestinal cells), which are easily saturated and subject to competition from other minerals like calcium and zinc. In contrast, the TRAACS® chelate is recognized by the body as a dipeptide (a small protein fragment). It bypasses the standard mineral channels and is instead actively transported across the intestinal mucosa via PEPT1 (peptide transporter 1) channels. These pathways are highly efficient and not subject to the same competitive inhibition, resulting in vastly superior absorption rates.
### The Role of Glycine and Glutamine In Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate, two molecules of the amino acid glycine are bound to one magnesium ion. Glycine is the smallest amino acid, making it an ideal ligand because it creates a low-molecular-weight chelate that easily passes through the intestinal wall. Beyond its role as a carrier, glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It binds to NMDA receptors and promotes cellular relaxation, which synergizes with magnesium's natural ability to block calcium channels and relax muscle tissue. This dual-action mechanism is why magnesium bisglycinate is highly regarded for promoting restful sleep and a healthy mood.
In the Magnesium Glycinate Glutamine Chelate variation, glutamine is introduced into the chelate structure. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and plays a critical role in enterocyte health, immune function, and muscle recovery. By delivering magnesium alongside glutamine, this specific chelate form targets cellular repair and gastrointestinal integrity while providing the systemic benefits of highly bioavailable magnesium.
### Pharmacokinetics and Systemic Utilization Once the chelate is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is hydrolyzed, releasing the magnesium ion and the amino acids for cellular use. Because the absorption is highly efficient, lower elemental doses of TRAACS® magnesium can achieve the same or better serum and intracellular magnesium elevations compared to massive doses of inorganic magnesium. This efficient delivery system ensures that magnesium reaches the tissues where it is needed most—such as the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle—supporting cardiovascular protection, mood stabilization, and optimal neuromuscular function.
What does traacs magnesium mean? +
Can you take magnesium supplements with HRT? +
Can I take nac with magnesium glycinate? +
Does magnesium bisglycinate help with osteoporosis? +
What medications should you not take with magnesium bisglycinate? +
Are there any bad side effects from taking magnesium glycinate? +
Who should avoid bisglycinate? +
Who should not take magnesium chelate? +
What is the difference between magnesium glycinate and bisglycinate? +
Why is glutamine added to this specific chelate? +
When is the best time to take TRAACS magnesium? +
Will this supplement cause diarrhea? +
How long does it take for magnesium bisglycinate to work? +
Is Albion magnesium vegan and non-GMO? +
Can I take this on an empty stomach? +
How much elemental magnesium is in a typical dose? +
Does magnesium bisglycinate help with muscle cramps? +
Is buffered magnesium glycinate better than TRAACS? +
Everything About Magnesium (as Magnesium Glycinate Glutamine Chelate, Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate (TRAACS®)) Article
## The Definitive Guide to TRAACS® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate
Magnesium is one of the most critical minerals in the human body, responsible for over 300 enzymatic reactions that dictate everything from how your heart beats to how your brain processes stress. Despite its importance, up to 70% of the population does not get enough magnesium from their diet.
While the market is flooded with magnesium supplements, they are not created equal. If you've ever taken a cheap magnesium supplement and spent the rest of the day running to the bathroom, you've experienced the pitfalls of poorly absorbed inorganic minerals. Enter **Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate (TRAACS®)**—a patented, scientifically engineered form of magnesium that delivers maximum benefits without the gastrointestinal distress.
### What is TRAACS® Technology?
TRAACS® stands for **The Real Amino Acid Chelate System**. Developed by Albion® Minerals (now part of Balchem®), this technology represents the gold standard in mineral supplementation.
In nature, minerals are inorganic elements. For the human body to absorb them efficiently, they often need to be attached to organic molecules. Albion's patented process takes a magnesium ion and chemically binds it to amino acids (typically glycine, and sometimes glutamine). This creates a "fully reacted chelate"—a stable, ring-like structure that protects the mineral as it travels through the harsh environment of the stomach.
### The Science of Superior Absorption
Why does chelation matter? It comes down to how your intestines absorb nutrients.
Standard magnesium supplements, like magnesium oxide or magnesium carbonate, break down into free ionic magnesium in the gut. These free ions face two major problems: 1. **Dietary Inhibitors:** They bind to anti-nutrients in your food, such as phytates (found in grains) and oxalates (found in spinach), forming insoluble clumps that your body cannot absorb. 2. **Competition:** They must compete with other minerals, like calcium and zinc, to pass through limited mineral ion channels in the intestinal wall.
Because of these hurdles, forms like magnesium oxide have an absorption rate as low as 4%. The unabsorbed magnesium stays in your colon, where it draws in water via osmosis. This is what causes the infamous "magnesium laxative effect."
**TRAACS® Magnesium Bisglycinate bypasses these issues entirely.** Because the magnesium is securely bound to amino acids, it is electrically neutral. It doesn't bind to anti-nutrients, and it doesn't draw water into the bowel. Furthermore, your body recognizes the chelate not as a mineral, but as a dipeptide (a small protein). It is actively transported across the intestinal wall through specialized peptide channels (PEPT1), resulting in near-complete absorption.
### Key Health Benefits
Backed by over 200 scientific studies and 70 human clinical trials, Albion® chelated minerals offer profound, evidence-based health benefits.
#### 1. Restful Sleep and Relaxation If you struggle to wind down at night, Magnesium Bisglycinate is a game-changer. Magnesium naturally acts as a calcium channel blocker, helping muscle fibers relax. But the real magic lies in the glycine. Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms the central nervous system. By delivering magnesium and glycine together, this chelate provides a powerful, non-drowsy way to promote deep, restorative sleep.
#### 2. Healthy Mood and Stress Resilience Magnesium is rapidly depleted during times of physical and mental stress. It is required for the synthesis of serotonin, the body's primary "feel-good" neurotransmitter. Clinical trials have shown that restoring intracellular magnesium levels can significantly improve mood, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and help the nervous system adapt to stress.
#### 3. Heart Health Protection Your heart is a muscle that relies on a delicate balance of calcium and magnesium to beat correctly. Calcium causes the heart muscle to contract, while magnesium causes it to relax. Adequate magnesium intake is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart rhythm, supporting healthy blood pressure, and protecting cardiovascular function over the long term.
#### 4. Muscle Recovery and Cramp Defense For athletes and active individuals, magnesium is essential for clearing lactic acid and preventing involuntary muscle spasms. The addition of glutamine in the *Magnesium Glycinate Glutamine Chelate* variant further supports muscle recovery, as glutamine is a primary fuel source for cellular repair.
### How to Read the Label: Beware of "Buffered" Magnesium
Because true fully-reacted magnesium bisglycinate is a large, bulky molecule, it takes up a lot of space in a capsule. A standard size "00" capsule can only hold about 100mg to 140mg of elemental magnesium from a pure chelate.
If you see a product claiming to deliver 400mg or 500mg of "Magnesium Glycinate" in a single small pill, **it is almost certainly "buffered."** This means the manufacturer has mixed a tiny amount of magnesium glycinate with a large amount of cheap magnesium oxide to artificially inflate the elemental magnesium number on the label.
To ensure you are getting a pure, highly absorbable product, look specifically for the **TRAACS®** trademark or the **Albion® Minerals** logo on the bottle.
### Dosage and Timing
- **For General Health:** 100mg to 200mg of elemental magnesium daily is sufficient to bridge the gap in most diets. - **For Sleep and Anxiety:** 200mg to 400mg taken 30 to 60 minutes before bed yields the best results. - **For Athletes:** 200mg to 400mg post-workout or before bed supports optimal recovery.
Because TRAACS® magnesium does not cause stomach upset, it can be taken with or without food.
### Conclusion
Magnesium is non-negotiable for optimal health, but taking the wrong form is a waste of money and a recipe for digestive discomfort. By choosing Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate (TRAACS®), you are investing in a scientifically validated, highly bioavailable form of magnesium that delivers tangible results for your sleep, mood, and overall vitality.