Magnesium is everywhere right now but what does it actually do?
Magnesium has become one of the most talked-about minerals in wellness.
Scroll through social media and you may see it connected with everything from sleep and stress to muscles and energy.
Some of those conversations move much faster than the science. The reality is already compelling enough that magnesium is an essential mineral the body needs for a wide range of normal functions.
Recognised magnesium functions include contributing to normal muscle function, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal psychological function, normal energy-yielding metabolism and the maintenance of normal bones and teeth. These are authorised nutrient functions in Great Britain when the relevant conditions of use are met. Learn more.
So magnesium does matter. But that does not mean every child needs a magnesium supplement.
Where do children get magnesium naturally?
Food comes first.
Magnesium occurs naturally in foods including:
- leafy green vegetables such as spinach
- nuts and seeds
- wholegrains
- beans and pulses
- wholemeal bread
The NHS recommends obtaining magnesium through a varied and balanced diet wherever possible.
Of course, parents know that what looks balanced on paper and what actually gets eaten are not always the same thing.
Children's appetites and preferences change. Some families also choose supplements simply because they want a clear, measured and convenient way to complement the diet.
That is where understanding the supplement itself becomes important.
Not all magnesium supplements are the same
Turn over two magnesium bottles and you may discover they contain completely different forms.
Common examples include:
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium chloride
Magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate
The word before or after “magnesium” matters because elemental magnesium needs to be carried in a compound, and different forms can differ in solubility, composition and bioavailability.
A systematic review (read more) of 14 studies found that organic magnesium formulations generally appeared to be more bioavailable than inorganic forms, although dose and study conditions also influenced absorption.
Other reviews have reached a more nuanced conclusion: form matters, but dose, magnesium status and the exact finished formulation can matter just as much.
In other words, choosing magnesium intelligently is more useful than simply looking for the biggest number on the front of the bottle.
What is magnesium bisglycinate?
Magnesium bisglycinate is magnesium bound to molecules of the amino acid glycine.
You may also see it called magnesium glycinate or magnesium diglycinate.
It belongs to the group of chelated magnesium forms. This is one reason bisglycinate has become popular in modern supplement formulations.
Human research comparing magnesium forms is still developing. One clinical trial found magnesium diglycinate was absorbed more effectively than magnesium oxide among participants with particularly impaired magnesium absorption, although the overall group difference was smaller.
The important takeaway is not that one form wins every possible comparison.
It is that magnesium form is a genuine formulation decision, not just label decoration.
That is why BrightVits uses magnesium bisglycinate rather than choosing a form simply because it provides the highest possible amount of elemental magnesium in the smallest space.
Then why add liposomal delivery?
Because the magnesium compound is only one part of the formulation. BrightVits combines magnesium bisglycinate with a liquid phospholipid-based liposomal delivery system.
Research into magnesium delivery suggests that the finished formulation can significantly affect bioavailability.
In one small randomised comparative human study, 20 healthy adults received the same 400 mg amount of magnesium either in a liquid liposomal formulation or a conventional tablet.
The researchers measured magnesium levels over 12 hours and calculated 5.18× greater measured bioavailability for the specific liquid liposomal formulation compared with the tablet comparator tested.
That is a striking result and It should be understood correctly. This relates to those specific formulations, doses and study conditions, rather than proving that every liposomal magnesium product is automatically 5.18× better than every tablet.
What it does show is why delivery technology deserves attention alongside the form of magnesium itself.
What should parents look for when choosing magnesium?
Rather than being distracted by big front-label numbers, I would look for five things.
1. The form of magnesium
Does the label simply say magnesium or tell you whether it is oxide, citrate, bisglycinate or another form? Transparency matters.
2. The actual amount of magnesium
Look for the quantity of elemental magnesium, not merely the weight of the complete magnesium compound.
3. Age-appropriate serving guidance
A family supplement should not leave parents guessing how an adult serving should be adapted for a child.
4. Ingredients you understand
Check flavours, sweeteners, allergens and unnecessary additions as well as the active nutrient.
5. A format that works for your family
A supplement only becomes part of the routine if people will actually take it. For families who do not want another tablet or gummy, liquid magnesium provides another option.
Why BrightVits chose Magnesium Bisglycinate
BrightVits Liposomal Magnesium Bisglycinate was designed around three things: the magnesium form, the delivery system and everyday practicality.
We combine magnesium bisglycinate with sunflower-derived phospholipids in a natural elderflower-flavoured liquid.
There are clear, age-adjusted servings from age 1 through adulthood, making one formula practical across different stages of family life.
And because family supplements should not feel unnecessarily complicated, the formula is:
No added sugar
Vegan
Free from the 14 major allergens
Easy-to-measure liquid
It is a considered magnesium formula rather than simply “more magnesium”.
Can you take too much magnesium?
More is not always better. The NHS notes that high supplemental doses of magnesium can cause diarrhoea and advises against taking excessive amounts.
That is why you should follow the serving instructions for the product you are using and consider other supplements that may also contain magnesium.
If your child takes medication, has a medical condition or you have concerns about their nutritional intake, seek individual advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
The takeaway
Magnesium deserves its popularity but probably not for every reason you see online.
It is an essential mineral with well-established roles in normal body function, and food should remain the foundation of a family's magnesium intake.
When choosing a supplement, look deeper than the headline dose. Consider:
What form of magnesium is being used?
How is it delivered?
Is the amount clearly stated?
Is the serving appropriate for the age?
Will it realistically fit your family's routine?
At BrightVits, those questions are exactly why we chose magnesium bisglycinate + liquid liposomal delivery. Because a supplement should not only contain the right nutrient. The formulation around it matters too.
References
-
Pardo MR, Garicano Vilar E, San Mauro Martín I, Camina Martín MA. Bioavailability of magnesium food supplements: A systematic review. Nutrition. 2021;89:111294. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2021.111294. The review examined 14 comparative magnesium-bioavailability studies.
-
Schuchardt JP, Hahn A. Intestinal Absorption and Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Magnesium—An Update. Current Nutrition & Food Science. 2017;13(4):260–278. doi:10.2174/1573401313666170427162740.
-
Schuette SA, Lashner BA, Janghorbani M. Bioavailability of magnesium diglycinate vs magnesium oxide in patients with ileal resection. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 1994;18(5):430–435. doi:10.1177/0148607194018005430.
-
NHS. Vitamins and minerals: Others — Magnesium. NHS guidance on magnesium food sources, dietary intake and supplemental magnesium. NHS magnesium guidance
