Key takeaways
- Magnesium glycinate (also called bisglycinate) is the gentlest common form on the stomach, which is why people pick it for sleep and daily use.
- The number that matters on the label is elemental magnesium, not the large “2000mg” front-of-pack figure.
- Most 120-capsule UK pots cost around £8 to £10, so a month or two works out at a few pence a day.
- The NHS says adults need roughly 300mg (men) or 270mg (women) a day, and that 400mg a day or less from supplements is unlikely to cause harm.
Magnesium glycinate has quietly become one of the fastest-rising health searches in Britain, and it sits at or near the top of Amazon’s Health & Personal Care chart. Part of the pull is sleep. When hot summer nights leave people tossing and turning, magnesium is one of the first things they reach for, along with a fan and a cooler bedroom. It also gets taken for muscle cramp, stress and general topping up. Here are six pots worth knowing about, what each is good for, and the catch with every one.
How we picked these
We looked for the glycinate (bisglycinate) form, since that is the type known for being kind to the gut. We checked the elemental magnesium per serving, because that is the amount your body works with, and the front-of-pack “2000mg” style numbers refer to the whole compound. We gave credit to pots that state a clear dose, keep fillers low, and say where they are made. Prices and star ratings come from Amazon UK and move around, so treat them as a guide. For the health basics we used the NHS guidance on magnesium.
At a glance
| Product | Best for | Elemental / form | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Glycinate 1500mg with Vitamin B6 | all-rounder | 315mg | £10 |
| Zipvit Magnesium Glycinate 2000mg with B6 | known UK brand | 400mg | £10 |
| New Leaf Magnesium Glycinate | for a clean formula | 208mg | £10 |
| Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1 Complex | combination formula | 384mg | £10 |
| Horbaach Magnesium Glycinate 2250mg | value | 450mg | £8 |
| Zooki Liposomal Magnesium Bis-Glycinate | premium option | liposomal bisglycinate | £35 |
The best magnesium glycinate supplements in the UK
Magnesium Glycinate 1500mg with Vitamin B6
Best all-rounderA 120-capsule pot that most people can take every day without an upset stomach. Each serving gives 315mg of elemental magnesium plus vitamin B6, which the body uses alongside magnesium. It is one of the most reviewed magnesium products on Amazon UK, so there is plenty of feedback to read before you buy.
The catch: the big “1500mg” on the front is the weight of the compound, not the magnesium you actually absorb, so read the 315mg elemental figure instead.
120 capsules · 315mg elemental · with B6 · around £10
Check price on AmazonZipvit Magnesium Glycinate 2000mg with B6
Best known UK brandZipvit is a familiar British supplement name, which some people prefer over the many unbranded pots. You get 120 vegan tablets at 400mg elemental magnesium per serving, plus B6. Handy if you want a higher dose in one go.
The catch: these are tablets rather than capsules, so they are a little bigger to swallow, and 400mg elemental sits at the top of the daily supplement guidance, so do not stack it with other magnesium.
120 tablets · 400mg elemental · with B6 · around £10
Check price on AmazonNew Leaf Magnesium Glycinate
Best for a clean formulaMade in the UK with the pure active ingredient and few added fillers, which is what people who react to bulking agents tend to look for. At 208mg elemental per serving it is a moderate daily dose that leaves room to take it with food.
The catch: at 208mg elemental it is a lower dose than some rivals, so if you want more you will take two servings, and that halves how long a pot lasts.
120 capsules · 208mg elemental · UK made · around £10
Check price on AmazonMagnesium Glycinate 3-in-1 Complex
Best combination formulaThis one blends bisglycinate with citrate and malate for 384mg elemental across three forms. The idea is that different forms suit different jobs, with citrate often used for digestion and glycinate for calm and sleep.
The catch: adding citrate and malate can loosen the bowels for some people, which is the opposite of why many pick pure glycinate in the first place.
90 capsules · 384mg elemental · 3 forms · around £10
Check price on AmazonHorbaach Magnesium Glycinate 2250mg
Best valueA large 120-capsule pot with 450mg elemental per serving from a well-known value brand, so the cost per day is low if you want a bigger dose. Good for topping up if a blood test or your GP has flagged that you run low.
The catch: 450mg elemental per serving is above the 400mg a day supplement guidance, so most people will want less than the full serving unless advised otherwise.
120 capsules · 450mg elemental · with B6 · around £8
Check price on AmazonZooki Liposomal Magnesium Bis-Glycinate
Best premium optionZooki wraps the magnesium in a liposomal coating, which is meant to help more of it survive digestion and reach the bloodstream. It is aimed at people who have tried cheaper pots and want to pay more for a claimed absorption boost, often for sleep and muscle recovery.
The catch: at around £35 for 60 capsules (30 servings) it costs far more per day than the £8 to £10 pots, and the absorption claims for liposomal forms are still debated.
60 capsules · liposomal bisglycinate · around £35
Check price on AmazonFAQ
Is magnesium glycinate good for sleep? A lot of people take it in the evening for calm and to wind down, and glycine itself is linked with sleep. The evidence is mixed rather than settled, so it helps some people more than others.
How much should I take? The NHS puts the daily need at about 300mg for men and 270mg for women, most of which comes from food. It says 400mg a day or less from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. Check the elemental figure on your pot and do not stack two magnesium products without advice.
When is the best time to take it? Most people take it with an evening meal, both for the calming reputation and because taking it with food is gentler on the stomach.
Glycinate or citrate? Glycinate is the gentle, low-laxative option that suits daily use and sleep. Citrate is more likely to loosen the bowels, which some people actually want. A few blends mix both.
Are there side effects? Too much magnesium from supplements can cause loose stools. If you have kidney problems, take other medication, or are pregnant, check with your GP or pharmacist first.