Albion® Mg Bisglycinate
TRAACS-verified chelated magnesium absorbed via the PepT1 dipeptide transporter — bypassing ionic competition to deliver dual-action CNS calming through both Mg and glycine co-delivery.
Primacy Research
What Albion® Mg Bisglycinate Does For You
NMDA Receptor Voltage Block
Restores magnesium’s voltage-dependent block at NMDA receptors — preventing calcium influx and the glutamate-driven neuronal hyperexcitability that keeps the brain in an aroused state at bedtime.
EEG-Verified Sleep Architecture Improvement
Controlled studies demonstrate magnesium supplementation increases slow-wave sleep duration and improves sleep efficiency — the deep sleep phases associated with growth hormone release and cellular repair.
Dual Mg + Glycine Delivery
The only magnesium form that co-delivers glycine upon chelate cleavage — providing NMDA receptor blockade from magnesium and inhibitory glycine receptor activation from glycine simultaneously.
PepT1 Transporter Absorption
Absorbed via the PepT1 dipeptide transporter — bypassing ionic mineral competition and the absorption ceiling that limits standard magnesium supplements, with zero osmotic GI side effects.
Part of a 3-Form Magnesium Architecture
One of three distinct chelated magnesium forms across APEX and RESET — each targeting a different absorption pathway and biological function, engineered to approach the 350 mg supplemental UL without exceeding it.
Your Body Can’t Shut Down
Magnesium is required as a cofactor for over 300 enzymatic reactions — including ATP synthesis, neurotransmitter production, and the voltage-dependent block of NMDA receptors that prevents neuronal hyperexcitability. Roughly 50% of the population does not meet the recommended daily intake for magnesium from dietary sources. And unlike daytime cognitive performance, which can partially compensate for moderate magnesium shortfalls, sleep architecture and neuromuscular relaxation have no such buffer.
CNS Hyperexcitability
Magnesium’s voltage-dependent block of NMDA receptors is the primary mechanism preventing neuronal overactivation. Magnesium deficiency removes this block — allowing calcium influx and glutamate-driven hyperexcitability that manifests as hyperarousal, anxiety, and inability to quiet the nervous system at bedtime.
Muscle Tension & Cramping
Magnesium is the physiological calcium antagonist in muscle tissue — required for myosin cross-bridge detachment and muscle relaxation. Deficiency leads to persistent muscle tension, nocturnal cramping, and the physical restlessness that fragments sleep. The CNS can’t shut down when the body is generating tension signals.
Degraded Sleep Architecture
Magnesium deficiency has been shown to reduce slow-wave sleep (SWS) and increase nighttime waking in controlled studies. The mechanism involves both NMDA hyperactivation (preventing cortical quieting) and disrupted GABAergic tone (magnesium enhances GABA-A receptor function). The result is lighter, more fragmented sleep.
How Albion® Mg Bisglycinate Works
Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate (TRAACS® verified) is absorbed via the PepT1 dipeptide transporter — a fundamentally different absorption pathway than ionic magnesium forms. This produces higher bioavailability, zero osmotic GI effects, and the unique co-delivery of glycine, which has independent CNS calming properties.
PepT1 Dipeptide Transporter Absorption
Unlike ionic magnesium (oxide, citrate, sulfate), magnesium bisglycinate is recognized by the PepT1 transporter as a dipeptide-like molecule. PepT1 has high capacity relative to ionic mineral absorption pathways and does not compete with other minerals — solving the absorption ceiling and ionic competition problems that limit standard magnesium supplements.
Intracellular Chelate Cleavage & Glycine Release
Once absorbed, the chelate bond between magnesium and glycine is cleaved intracellularly. This releases both free Mg²⁺ ions and free glycine simultaneously — creating a dual-payload delivery system. The glycine released is not lost; it enters its own biological pathways with independent CNS-calming effects.
NMDA Receptor Voltage-Dependent Block
Free Mg²⁺ ions restore the voltage-dependent block at NMDA (glutamate) receptors. At resting membrane potential, magnesium physically occludes the NMDA channel — preventing calcium influx and the neuronal hyperexcitability that keeps the brain in an aroused state. This is the primary mechanism behind magnesium’s anti-excitatory effects.
GABAergic Enhancement & Cortisol Reduction
Magnesium enhances GABA-A receptor function through allosteric modulation and has been shown to reduce HPA axis cortisol output. Both effects — more inhibitory signaling and less cortisol — work in the same direction: shifting the CNS from arousal toward rest.
Neuromuscular Relaxation & Ca²⁺ Antagonism
In muscle tissue, Mg²⁺ competes with Ca²⁺ at voltage-gated calcium channels, reducing calcium influx and enabling myosin-actin cross-bridge detachment. This is the molecular mechanism of muscular relaxation — and why magnesium supplementation reduces nocturnal cramps, restless legs, and physical tension that fragments sleep.
What the Research Shows
The clinical evidence for magnesium and sleep spans over 18 studies, with multiple RCTs demonstrating improvements in sleep time, sleep efficiency, early morning awakening, and EEG-verified slow-wave sleep architecture.
Abbasi B et al. (2012). Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 17(12):1161–1169. The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly.
Held K et al. (2002). Pharmacopsychiatry, 35(4):135–143. Oral magnesium supplementation reverses age-related neuroendocrine and sleep EEG changes in humans.
Rondanelli M et al. (2011). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(1):82–90. The effect of melatonin, magnesium, and zinc on primary insomnia in long-term care facility residents. Note: This tested a 3-ingredient combination; magnesium effects cannot be isolated.
Schuette SA et al. (1994). JPEN Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 18(5):430–435. Bioavailability of magnesium diglycinate vs. magnesium oxide in patients with ileal resection.
Your Nightly Dose in RESET
Why this dose works: 880 mg of magnesium bisglycinate chelate delivers ~80 mg of elemental magnesium via the PepT1 dipeptide transporter — a pathway with significantly higher bioavailability than ionic magnesium forms and zero osmotic GI side effects. Critically, the chelate cleavage also releases glycine — an inhibitory amino acid that acts at glycine receptors in the brainstem and spinal cord, enhancing RESET’s calming cascade through a second independent mechanism.
Combined Daily Magnesium Architecture — APEX + RESET Protocol
Combined supplemental magnesium is engineered to stay just under the 350 mg Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for supplemental sources. Three chelated forms target three distinct absorption pathways — BBB transport (Magtein®), PepT1 dipeptide uptake (Bisglycinate), and organic acid/Krebs cycle transport (Di-Magnesium Malate, delivered in both AM and PM).
How Albion® Mg Bisglycinate Connects Across the System
Magnesium bisglycinate operates at the intersection of RESET’s GABAergic cascade, glycine pool, and the full-system magnesium architecture that spans APEX and RESET.
Multi-Mechanism GABAergic Convergence
PharmaGABA® supplies GABA. Lemon Balm preserves it. Magnolia Bark amplifies the GABA-A receptor response. Magnesium bisglycinate adds a fourth layer: NMDA receptor blockade (reducing excitatory drive) and GABA-A allosteric enhancement (increasing inhibitory response). Four compounds, four mechanisms, one direction.
Glycine Pool Expansion & Dual Calming
Magnesium bisglycinate releases glycine upon chelate cleavage. Glycine acts at inhibitory glycine receptors in the brainstem and spinal cord — a separate inhibitory neurotransmitter system from GABA. RESET also includes standalone Glycine for additional pool expansion. Together they create redundant inhibitory signaling across two distinct receptor systems.
Complementary Mg Architecture (RESET)
RESET includes both Albion® Bisglycinate (PepT1 pathway, ~80 mg elemental Mg) and Di-Magnesium Malate (Krebs cycle support, ~100 mg elemental Mg). The two forms serve different functions: bisglycinate for CNS calming and glycine co-delivery; malate for mitochondrial energy support during the overnight regeneration cycle.
Three-Form Magnesium Architecture
APEX delivers Magtein® (BBB-crossing, neuroplasticity) and Di-Magnesium Malate (Krebs cycle). RESET delivers Albion® Bisglycinate (PepT1, CNS calming + glycine) and Di-Magnesium Malate (Krebs cycle). Three distinct chelate types. Three distinct absorption pathways. Di-Mag Malate bridges both products for 24-hour Krebs cycle coverage. One continuous magnesium system engineered to approach — but not exceed — the 350 mg supplemental UL.
Key Takeaways
PepT1 Absorption — A Distinct Pathway
Albion® Bisglycinate doesn’t compete with ionic minerals for absorption. Its PepT1 dipeptide transporter pathway has high capacity relative to ionic mineral absorption pathways and bypasses the mineral competition that limits standard magnesium supplements — delivering higher bioavailability than magnesium oxide via the PepT1 pathway.
Dual-Action Delivery — Mg + Glycine
No other magnesium form co-delivers glycine. Bisglycinate chelate cleavage releases both Mg²⁺ (NMDA block, GABA-A enhancement, neuromuscular relaxation) and free glycine (inhibitory glycine receptor activation) simultaneously. Two calming compounds from one ingredient.
GABAergic Stack Anchor
Magnesium bisglycinate connects to RESET’s full GABAergic cascade through NMDA blockade (reducing excitatory drive on GABA circuits) and GABA-A allosteric enhancement (amplifying the inhibitory response). It’s not a standalone supplement — it’s the substrate of a designed calming system.
Engineered Into a 24-Hour Magnesium Architecture
RESET’s bisglycinate is one of three distinct magnesium chelate types across APEX and RESET, each targeting a different absorption pathway and biological function. The combined ~349 mg daily approaches the 350 mg supplemental UL — not by accident, but by design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate?
Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate is a TRAACS®-verified form of magnesium bound to two glycine molecules. Unlike ionic magnesium forms (oxide, citrate), it is absorbed via the PepT1 dipeptide transporter — a fundamentally different pathway with higher capacity and no competition with other minerals.
How does magnesium help with sleep?
Magnesium promotes sleep through multiple mechanisms: voltage-dependent block of NMDA receptors (reducing neuronal hyperexcitability), GABA-A receptor allosteric enhancement (increasing inhibitory signaling), HPA axis cortisol reduction, and neuromuscular relaxation via calcium antagonism. Clinical studies confirm improvements in sleep time, sleep efficiency, and slow-wave sleep architecture.
Why bisglycinate instead of other magnesium forms?
Bisglycinate offers three advantages: PepT1 transporter absorption (higher bioavailability than ionic forms), zero osmotic GI effects (no laxative action), and glycine co-delivery (an inhibitory amino acid with independent sleep-promoting effects). No other magnesium form provides all three.
How much elemental magnesium does RESET provide?
RESET’s 880 mg of magnesium bisglycinate chelate delivers ~80 mg elemental magnesium via the PepT1 pathway, plus ~100 mg from Di-Magnesium Malate. Combined with APEX’s Magtein® and Di-Magnesium Malate, the daily total approaches ~349 mg — just under the 350 mg supplemental Tolerable Upper Intake Level.
What is TRAACS® verification?
TRAACS® (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System) is Albion Minerals’ testing protocol that verifies the magnesium is truly chelated to glycine molecules — not simply a mixture of magnesium and glycine powder. True chelation is required for PepT1 transporter recognition and the dual-delivery mechanism.
Does magnesium bisglycinate cause GI issues?
No. Unlike magnesium oxide, citrate, or sulfate — which draw water into the intestines osmotically — bisglycinate is absorbed as a chelate via the PepT1 transporter without creating an osmotic gradient. This means zero laxative effect at supplemental doses.
References
- [1]Abbasi, B., Kimiagar, M., Sadeghniiat, K., Shirazi, M. M., Hedayati, M., & Rashidkhani, B. (2012). The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 17(12), 1161–1169.View
- [2]Held, K., Antonijevic, I. A., Künzel, H., Uhr, M., Wetter, T. C., Golly, I. C., Steiger, A., & Murck, H. (2002). Oral Mg2+ supplementation reverses age-related neuroendocrine and sleep EEG changes in humans. Pharmacopsychiatry, 35(4), 135–143.View
- [3]Rondanelli, M., Opizzi, A., Monteferrario, F., Antoniello, N., Manni, R., & Klersy, C. (2011). The effect of melatonin, magnesium, and zinc on primary insomnia in long-term care facility residents. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(1), 82–90.View
- [4]Schuette, S. A., Lashner, B. A., & Janghorbani, M. (1994). Bioavailability of magnesium diglycinate vs magnesium oxide in patients with ileal resection. JPEN Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 18(5), 430–435.View
Upgrade Your Recovery Architecture
Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate is one of 25 active ingredients in RESET, engineered to work as a system — not a stack of standalone compounds.
*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. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.