Magnesium glycinate
Magnesium Glycinate in Synaptril: Does It Help the Brain?
Magnesium glycinate for brain health is a sensible idea with thin proof. In Synaptril it is line 1 of the blend and supplies the only printed amount: 80 mg of magnesium, 19% of the Daily Value. Small trials hint at faster sleep onset. Whether it helps memory is not known, and one trial saw a gain only in people over 65.
Written by the Synaptril label deskUpdated
The basics01
Is magnesium glycinate good for brain health?
Magnesium glycinate for brain health is a fair way to meet your magnesium needs, but not a proven memory aid. It is magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine, and it is line 1 of the Synaptril blend.
The recommended intake is 400-420 mg a day for men and 310-320 mg for women (NIH ODS, Magnesium). The open question is whether extra magnesium sharpens thinking. An Alzheimer's research group says it is not known whether magnesium supplements improve thinking or lower dementia risk (ADDF Cognitive Vitality, Magnesium).
| Name on the label | Magnesium Glycinate (magnesium 80 mg, 19% DV) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine |
| Place on the label | Line 1 of 6 in the 575 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per capsule | About 400-567 mg (from the 80 mg magnesium) |
| Amount used in research | RDA 310-420 mg of magnesium a day from all sources; 350 mg upper limit from supplements |
| Strength of evidence | Sleep: small, low-certainty trials. Memory: not known |
| Marketed or traditional use | Mineral used in hundreds of enzyme reactions |
| Main caution | Diarrhea at high doses; space it from some antibiotics and osteoporosis drugs; care with kidney disease. |
Blend math02
How much magnesium glycinate is in a Synaptril capsule?
A Synaptril capsule holds about 400-567 mg of magnesium glycinate, most of its 575 mg blend. That range is arithmetic on the label, not a printed figure.
The panel prints 80 mg of magnesium "as Magnesium Glycinate from proprietary blend". Magnesium glycinate is about 14% magnesium by weight (GlobalRPH, Magnesium Glycinate), so 80 mg needs about 567 mg of the compound. 575 minus 567 leaves about 8 mg for the other five lines.
The grade is not printed, so we also run a generous case. At 20% magnesium the compound weighs 400 mg, leaving at most 175 mg.
| Magnesium share | Compound needed | Left for five lines |
|---|---|---|
| About 14% (typical) | About 567 mg | About 8 mg |
| 16% | About 500 mg | About 75 mg |
| 20% (generous case) | About 400 mg | At most 175 mg |
Why the order matters
A proprietary blend lists parts from most to least by weight and may hide single amounts (21 CFR 101.36, Supplement Facts). Line 1 is the heavyweight; every other line is a ceiling, as how Synaptril works shows step by step.
The dose03
Is 80 mg of magnesium a useful amount?
Yes, 80 mg of magnesium is a modest top-up: 19% of the Daily Value and about a fifth to a quarter of the adult RDA.
It stays under the 350 mg upper limit for magnesium from supplements (NIH ODS, Magnesium). The bars set each line against study doses.
Memory04
Does magnesium glycinate improve memory?
No one knows whether magnesium glycinate improves memory. A 2024 review found only three double-blind trials of magnesium and cognition, too few for a conclusion (ADDF Cognitive Vitality, Magnesium).
The one low-risk trial gave magnesium glycinate for 12 weeks. Scores on the MoCA memory test rose 9.1%, but only in people over 65 (ADDF Cognitive Vitality, Magnesium). Other quoted studies used magnesium L-threonate, a different form.
One trial in older adults is a reason for interest, not a promise. The "Enhances Memory & Focus*" claim runs ahead of it, and no trial has tested the capsule.
Memory that keeps slipping needs a doctor; low B12, thyroid problems and medicine side effects are treatable causes (NIA, Memory Problems and Aging). Sudden confusion, slurred speech, face drooping or weakness on one side means call 911.
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See packsSleep05
Can magnesium glycinate help you sleep better?
Magnesium may help you fall asleep a little faster, but the proof is weak. Small trials in older adults showed sleep onset about 17 minutes quicker (Mah & Pitre, BMC Complement Med Ther 2021).
The three trials had 151 people. Evidence was low certainty. Seven or more hours a night (CDC, Sleep) matters more.
Sleep onset
About 17 minutes faster. Low certainty
Total sleep
About 16 minutes more, not significant. Unclear
Timing
The label sets no time of day. Your choice
Safety06
What are the side effects and interactions of magnesium glycinate?
At 80 mg, magnesium glycinate rarely causes trouble. High supplemental doses commonly cause diarrhea, nausea and cramping (NIH ODS, Magnesium).
Timing with a few medicines matters more.
| Medicine type | What happens | Usual advice |
|---|---|---|
| Bisphosphonates | Lower absorption | Separate by 2+ hours |
| Tetracycline, quinolone antibiotics | Magnesium binds them | Antibiotic 2 h before or 4-6 h after |
| Water pills; long-term acid reducers | Change magnesium levels | Ask your prescriber |
Never shift a prescribed dose to fit a supplement. Ask your pharmacist about spacing, and read supplements and medicines.
Other lines07
Which Synaptril ingredient comes after magnesium glycinate?
Alpha lipoic acid is line 2. It shares the room magnesium glycinate leaves, at most about 175 mg in our generous case.
Compare all six on the Synaptril ingredients page.
FAQ08
Synaptril questions people ask
How much magnesium glycinate is in one Synaptril capsule?
About 400-567 mg, by our arithmetic. The label prints 80 mg of magnesium from magnesium glycinate, which is roughly 14-20% magnesium by weight. The exact grade is not printed, but either way the compound fills most of the 575 mg blend.
Is the 80 mg of magnesium in Synaptril enough to fix a deficiency?
Probably not on its own. 80 mg is about a fifth to a quarter of the adult RDA of 310-420 mg. If a blood test shows low magnesium, your doctor picks the dose. For most people, food supplies the rest.
Can I take a separate magnesium supplement with Synaptril?
Check the total first. The 350 mg upper limit covers magnesium from all supplements and medicines combined. Synaptril supplies 80 mg, so another product adding over 270 mg would pass it. Count magnesium antacids and laxatives too, and ask your pharmacist.
Will the magnesium in Synaptril give me diarrhea?
It is unlikely at 80 mg. Diarrhea, nausea and cramps come with high supplemental doses, and one capsule sits well under the 350 mg limit. If loose stools or cramps keep going, stop the capsule and call your doctor for advice.
Does the magnesium glycinate in Synaptril affect antibiotics?
It can, with tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics. Magnesium binds them and lowers absorption. The usual advice is to take the antibiotic at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after magnesium. Ask your pharmacist to set the times for you.
Is magnesium glycinate the same as magnesium L-threonate?
No, they are different compounds. Glycinate binds magnesium to the amino acid glycine; L-threonate uses threonic acid. A few small memory studies used L-threonate, and their results do not carry over to glycinate. The Synaptril label lists the glycinate form only.
Who wrote this09
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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