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

Absorption & Bioavailability

as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered vs Magnesium Citrate is one of the most commonly compared pairs of Magnesium forms. The research on each is summarized below.

as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered and Magnesium Citrate 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. Magnesium Citrate shows good absorption and is classified as Secondary Form.

Dosing Comparison

Dose ranges for different forms should not be compared interchangeably. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dose for your goals.

Side Effects & Tolerability

Both as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered and Magnesium Citrate 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 Magnesium Citrate?

Choose as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered if: you prefer the form FormulaForge ranks first in its Magnesium catalog.

Choose Magnesium Citrate 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 Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) is classified as Preferred Form by FormulaForge, while Magnesium (as Magnesium Citrate) 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 Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) and Magnesium (as Magnesium Citrate) 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 Magnesium Citrate 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 Magnesium Citrate?

Based on FormulaForge bioavailability data, Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered) has a higher absorption rating (good) compared to Magnesium (as Magnesium Citrate) (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 Magnesium Citrate to as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered?

Switching between Magnesium Citrate 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 Magnesium Citrate?

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 Magnesium Citrate) 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.

References

A 2025 double-blind crossover study (n=20) found that seawater-derived magnesium citrate and magnesium hydroxide both significantly increased magnesium absorption compared with placebo (more than 97% relative increase), with no significant difference between the two forms when standardized on magnesium dose. PubMed

A 2018 EFSA scientific opinion found that human studies demonstrate magnesium from magnesium citrate malate is bioavailable, though the panel noted the degree of bioavailability relative to other magnesium sources has not been formally established, and flagged that the proposed maximum use levels could exceed the tolerable upper intake level for magnesium. PubMed

A 1991 study in 14 normal volunteers found that a potassium-magnesium citrate compound provided magnesium bioavailability comparable to magnesium citrate alone, while also producing the highest urinary citrate response among the compounds tested. PubMed

A 1990 controlled study found that magnesium citrate was substantially more soluble than magnesium oxide across a range of simulated gastric-acid conditions, and that magnesium absorption (measured by urinary magnesium rise after an oral dose) was significantly higher with magnesium citrate than with magnesium oxide. 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.

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