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Magnesium Glycinate vs Citrate: What's the Difference?
Magnesium glycinate vs citrate is a choice between two ways of binding the same mineral: glycinate pairs magnesium with the amino acid glycine, citrate pairs it with citric acid. Synaptril uses glycinate. We have no verified source comparing absorption or bowel effects, so this post sticks to what a label can show.
Written by the Synaptril label deskUpdated · 4 min read
What is the difference between magnesium glycinate and citrate?
The difference is the partner molecule. In magnesium glycinate, magnesium is bound to glycine. In magnesium citrate, it is bound to citric acid.
Both deliver the same mineral, and the body needs the same 310-420 mg a day from all sources (NIH ODS, Magnesium). How each form compares in absorption or in effect on digestion is not covered by the sources we verified, so we do not claim a winner.
How do you compare the two forms on a label?
Compare the elemental magnesium line, not the weight of the whole compound. Supplement Facts panels list elemental magnesium, and each compound is only part magnesium (NIH ODS, Magnesium).
Magnesium glycinate is about 14% magnesium by weight (GlobalRPH, Magnesium Glycinate). That is why Synaptril's 80 mg of magnesium needs roughly 567 mg of the compound.
| Question | Glycinate | Citrate |
|---|---|---|
| Bound to | Glycine | Citric acid |
| Magnesium share by weight | About 14% (GlobalRPH, Magnesium Glycinate) | Not verified here |
| Absorption comparison | Not verified here | Not verified here |
| High-dose effect | Diarrhea, cramping (NIH ODS, Magnesium) | Same warning applies to magnesium supplements (NIH ODS, Magnesium) |
Which form is gentler on the stomach?
Dose matters more than any single claim we can verify. High supplemental doses of magnesium commonly cause diarrhea, nausea and cramping (NIH ODS, Magnesium).
Keep supplement magnesium under 350 mg a day, and count every product (NIH ODS, Magnesium). Synaptril adds 80 mg. If you take a bisphosphonate, tetracycline or quinolone antibiotic, space magnesium from them as the NIH advises, and ask your pharmacist. Keep taking prescribed medicine.
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See packsWhich line of the Synaptril panel shows the magnesium form?
The magnesium line shows the form in its own brackets: "as Magnesium Glycinate from proprietary blend." The same name also leads the blend list.
That wording is how you tell glycinate from citrate on any label. Look for the form after the word "as," then read the elemental amount beside it.
Tap a number to read that part of the panel.
- Serving
Serving size 1 capsule; 30 servings per container.
- Magnesium 80 mg
As magnesium glycinate from the proprietary blend: 19% of the Daily Value.
- 19% DV
The Daily Value for magnesium is 420 mg, so 80 mg is 19%.
- Proprietary blend, 575 mg
Six ingredients share 575 mg, listed most to least by weight.
- The six lines
Magnesium glycinate, alpha lipoic acid, butcher's broom root, L-carnitine, turmeric (95% curcuminoids), CoQ10.
- Other ingredients
The capsule shell and flow agents. No sweetener, caffeine or color is listed.
Why does Synaptril use magnesium glycinate?
The label does not say why. It lists magnesium glycinate first in the blend and gives 80 mg of magnesium "as Magnesium Glycinate from proprietary blend."
We cannot verify the seller's reasons. Whichever form you choose, the number that counts is elemental magnesium.
Order Synaptril on the official checkout
Order-page prices, October 18, 2026 (Synaptril sales page). The 2-bottle pack is $178 plus shipping. Every pack has the 60-day money-back guarantee. Compare all packs.
Read the magnesium glycinate page and our comparison page. Related: glycinate vs L-threonate.
FAQ01
Synaptril questions people ask
Is magnesium citrate a laxative?
Our verified sources say only that high doses of magnesium supplements commonly cause diarrhea. They do not rank forms, so we cannot say citrate is stronger than glycinate. Ask a pharmacist about a laxative use.
Can you switch from magnesium citrate to glycinate?
Check the elemental magnesium on both labels and keep the total from supplements under 350 mg a day. Ask your doctor if you have kidney disease or take regular medicines.
Does Synaptril contain magnesium citrate?
No. The label lists magnesium glycinate, with 80 mg of magnesium. Citrate does not appear among the six blend ingredients or the other ingredients.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Learn about our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. retail partner of Synaptril, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We make money when you buy through our order links.
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