ByDr. Brennan Commerford, D.C.·Last reviewed: April 2026
Magnesium

Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered vs DiMagnesium Malate: Which Magnesium Is Better?

Evidence-based comparison of bioavailability, absorption, and clinical use — 2026

Quick Answer

Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered vs DiMagnesium Malate: which is right for you?

Not sure which to buy? Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered is our top-ranked form of Magnesium, and it outperforms DiMagnesium Malate based on peer-reviewed absorption research.

✓ Top Pick: Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered

High AbsorptionAbsorption Rating
FF Available + Preferred

Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered

Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered)

95/100Top Tier
vs
FF Available

DiMagnesium Malate

Magnesium (as DiMagnesium Malate)

Verification pending

9
Citations
2
High Absorption
Absorption
High Absorption
Top Ranked
Ranking
Highly Rated
Mineral, Muscle Function, Sleep Support, Stress Relief, Bone Health, Cardiovascular
Suited to
Mineral, Muscle Function, Energy Production, Stress Relief

Absorption by Form

Top Tier
as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered
95/100

Absorption & Bioavailability

When it comes to Magnesium supplementation, form selection is one of the most consequential decisions you can make. Different chemical forms of Magnesium vary significantly in how well your body absorbs and uses them — and as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered vs DiMagnesium Malate is one of the most commonly compared pairs.

as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered and DiMagnesium Malate share the same absorption profile (good absorption).

as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered shows good absorption and is classified as Preferred Form in the FormulaForge formulary. DiMagnesium Malate shows good absorption and is classified as Secondary Form.

Magnesium bisglycinate chelate (Albion TRAACS) delivers up to 4-7x greater absorption than magnesium oxide, the most common supplement form. The chelated glycine carrier uses amino acid transport channels rather than competing for mineral absorption pathways, resulting in significantly less GI distress — a common reason patients discontinue magnesium supplementation.

Dosing Comparison

Because forms with lower bioavailability require a larger amount to deliver equivalent absorbed nutrient, dose ranges should not be compared interchangeably between forms without accounting for these differences. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dose for your goals.

Side Effects & Tolerability

Both as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered and DiMagnesium Malate are generally well-tolerated at recommended doses. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have existing health conditions or take medications.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting or changing a supplement regimen. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Who Should Choose as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered vs DiMagnesium Malate?

Choose as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered if: bioavailability is a priority, you are focused on supporting Mineral, Muscle Function, Sleep Support, Stress Relief, Bone Health, Cardiovascular function, or you want the form with the strongest formulary evidence.

Choose DiMagnesium Malate if: your healthcare provider has recommended it for a specific therapeutic goal, or you require a specialist form not covered by the top-ranked preferred option.

Speak with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. The best Magnesium form for you depends on your individual health goals, existing nutrient status, and the dose your provider recommends.

These statements are based on structure/function research and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing a supplement regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered better than DiMagnesium Malate?
Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) is classified as Preferred Form by FormulaForge, while Magnesium (as DiMagnesium Malate) is Secondary Form. This reflects a research-based assessment of relative bioavailability for each form. "Better" depends on your individual goals and healthcare provider's guidance — the higher-tier form generally indicates more efficient absorption.
What is the difference between as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered and DiMagnesium Malate?
Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) and Magnesium (as DiMagnesium Malate) are two distinct chemical forms of Magnesium. as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered has a bioavailability rating of good and is classified as Preferred Form, while DiMagnesium Malate has a rating of good and is classified as Secondary Form. These differences mean the two forms are not interchangeable at equal doses and may suit different health goals.
Which form of Magnesium is best absorbed — as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered or DiMagnesium Malate?
Based on FormulaForge bioavailability data, Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) has a higher absorption rating (good) compared to Magnesium (as DiMagnesium Malate) (good). Higher bioavailability means more of the active compound reaches systemic circulation per dose unit. We do not publish raw dose conversion ratios or proprietary calculation methodology.
Can I switch from DiMagnesium Malate to as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered?
Switching between DiMagnesium Malate and as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered is possible but requires dose adjustment due to differences in bioavailability. Because the two forms have different absorption rates, an equal milligram dose will not deliver the same absorbed amount. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or adjusting any supplement regimen. Do not self-adjust dosing when switching supplement forms.
What does research say about as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered vs DiMagnesium Malate?
Published bioavailability research forms the basis for FormulaForge form classifications. Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) is rated good and classified as Preferred Form; Magnesium (as DiMagnesium Malate) is rated good and classified as Secondary Form. FormulaForge citations are drawn from peer-reviewed absorption studies. These statements are based on structure/function research and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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References

  1. A 2018 placebo-controlled study (91 adults) found that a timed-release supplement containing 500 mg dimagnesium malate plus vitamins B6, B12, and folate increased red blood cell magnesium levels by 30% over 90 days and improved magnesium-status questionnaire scores, though the study tested the malate form as part of a multi-nutrient blend rather than in isolation. PubMed
  2. A 2018 European Food Safety Authority opinion found insufficient scientific evidence of a difference between di-magnesium malate and the magnesium malate already authorised as a magnesium source, and was unable to assess its safety as a novel food ingredient because the applicant did not supply the requested data -- the panel added that if it dissociates, magnesium availability would appear similar to other permitted magnesium sources, and that the proposed use levels could exceed the 250 mg/day upper level for supplemental magnesium. PubMed

FormulaForge formulates and sells supplements containing the ingredients discussed on this page. Our formulary recommendations are based on peer-reviewed bioavailability research. All cited studies are independently verifiable.