Pure Encapsulations vs. Thorne vs. NOW: Which Magnesium Glycinate Is Best?

Comparison of Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate vs Thorne Magnesium Glycinate supplements, showing bottles side by side for a clean, high-quality ingredient review

Are you looking for the best magnesium glycinate supplement? But how is decided? The best option depends on your priorities and needs, absence of harmful additives or fillers, ingredient quality, third-party testing, formulation, doctors recommendation,  evidence-based formulation. 

In this article, we will understand in depth about magnesium supplements by different brands and compare them to help you choose the best option.

Comparison of Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, and NOW Magnesium Glycinate supplements to help users decide which magnesium glycinate option is best for their needs

About pure encapsulations magnesium glycinate

Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate product overview showing supplement facts, capsule size, allergen-free icons, and formulation details for comparison

This option is a highly bioavailable magnesium chelate for sensitive individuals. It is available in 3 options: 90, 180 and 360 capsules. This supplement is preferred by many because it is free from allergens, non GMO and gluten-free.

The dose of magnesium glycinate is 120 mg, meeting a daily value of 29%. The other ingredients include ascorbyl palmitate.

pure encapsulations magnesium glycinate review suggest that it help them with sleep, morning anxiety, midnight wake-up, etc.

About Magnesium glycinate of Thorne

Thorne Magnesium Glycinate product details showing supplement facts, capsule image, key health benefits, and third-party testing information for comparison

This is another best option of bioavailable magnesium supplements and its dosage, form and daily value percent is exactly similar to the magnesium glycinate by Pure Encapsulations. It provides 120 mg of magnesium as magnesium glycinate, meeting 29% of daily value. The other ingredients include hypromellose, medium chain triglyceride oil and silicon dioxide.

It promotes restful sleep and muscle relaxation.

Thorne magnesium glycinate review:

Customers say that they previously used magnesium supplements by other brands. But when they switched to magnesium glycinate by Thorne, they noticed a huge difference.

The brand mentions that this supplement has decreased laxative effect when compared to other magnesium formulations. Though it’s available as capsule form, if you don't like capsules you can also consume powdered formula in individual stick pack servings or a 60-serving jar. One stick pack of 3.8 g contains 200 mg of magnesium as magnesium glycinate meeting 48% of the daily value. The other ingredients include citric acid and monk fruit extract.

When you check the label of Thorne's magnesium powder supplement, you will see “magnesium bisglycinate”. There is no difference between  magnesium glycinate and bisglycinate. The only difference is two glycine molecules attached in the latter.

Now magnesium glycinate 200 mg

NOW Magnesium Glycinate supplement overview with bottle image, supplement facts label, and tablet size chart for comparison

This supplement is available in 2 options: 90 tablets of 45 servings and 180 tablets of 90 servings. The amount of magnesium glycinate (Albion) per serving is 200 mg meeting 48% of the daily value.

The list of other ingredients is long in this supplement, including, citric acid, hydroxypropyl cellulose, stearic acid, silicon dioxide, vegetable coating, sunflower lecithin, triethyl citrate, sunflower oil.

For Albion minerals, they are the best chelated minerals with superior quality, absorption, and bioavailability. These are scientifically validated with over 160 publications.

What should I do before choosing magnesium glycinate?

  • You should look for reputable and trusted brands like Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, Now, etc that ensure supplement quality testing.  

  • Always choose a third-party tested magnesium glycinate supplement. 

  • Do magnesium glycinate brand comparison so that you know about the dosage, certifications, additional ingredients, etc.

  • Read customer review insights to get an idea of how people feel after starting the supplement.

Magnesium glycinate comparison + brand review: which magnesium glycinate is best?

trusted magnesium supplement brands


dietary supplement standards/third-party lab testing



Dosage of magnesium glycinate

customer review insights


Pure Encapsulations

Manufactured in GMP-certified facilities; well known in practitioner and clinical settings; strong internal and third-party quality testing reputation; positioned as hypoallergenic and “clean label.”

120 mg elemental magnesium per capsule (as magnesium glycinate).

Customers consistently praise it for being gentle on the stomach, causing little to no diarrhea, and for having a very short ingredient list. Some mention the downside is the price and needing multiple capsules to reach higher doses.

Thorne

NSF Certified for Sport (on many products); used widely by athletes and functional medicine practitioners; very strict manufacturing and identity testing standards.

Same dosage as pure encapsulations magnesium glycinate


Users love the relaxing and sleep-support benefits and the fact that it’s available in two options of powder and pills.  Some dislike the monk fruit taste, and a few mention mild stomach sensitivity. 

Now

GMP-certified manufacturing

200 mg elemental magnesium per 2 tablets (100 mg per tablet), using Albion™ magnesium bisglycinate chelate.

Customers like the affordable price and effectiveness for cramps and sleep. Some reviewers express concern over the longer other ingredient list, especially silicon dioxide and stearic acid, and the tablet size.


How to choose between the Pure Encapsulations vs. Thorne vs. NOW?

How to choose magnesium glycinate explained with guidance for sensitive gut, athletes, and budget-friendly options like Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, and NOW
  • Ask yourself what type of formula you prefer. If you prioritize professional grade ultra-clean formula free from allergens, then  Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate could be your option.

  • If you are an athlete or an active individual, then you may prefer Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate (NSF-certified facility and Sport products)

  • If you want something effective, widely available, and more affordable, then  NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate (Albion) is your option.

What should be your journey to selecting the best magnesium glycinate supplement?

Step 1: Review diet, symptoms, lab tests, etc.

Step 2: Confirm your needs after consulting an expert

Step 3: Pick target dose, without exceeding total daily needs.

Step 4: Brand selection

Step 5: Monitor your health for sleep, muscle cramps, anxiety

Customer Worries while choosing magnesium glycinate

No matter which brand you choose, there are some big-picture things a careful user might worry about:

  1. All magnesium forms can bind certain medications in the gut. This is more about timing: usually you separate magnesium and those meds by a few hours.

  2. Dose stacking: Do not take too many supplements at the same time. Avoid taking multivitamin + “cal-mag” + a dedicated glycinate supplement. Because it would unintentionally cause high total magnesium intake.

  3. Label trust and choosing brands with GMP certification, third-party testing, and long track records (which all three have) is how you minimize that worry.

Still confused?

Let’s match some answers to quiz.

Which Magnesium Glycinate Should You Choose?

Do you care about having the cleanest possible label (fewest ingredients)?

 Yes Choose Pure Encapsulations
No Continue ↓

Do you prefer powders over pills (easier to mix, easier to adjust dose)?

 Yes Choose Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder
No Continue ↓

Is budget your #1 or #2 priority?

 Yes Choose NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate
No Continue ↓

Do you want a brand heavily used by athletes, with NSF-level testing?

 Yes Choose Thorne
No Continue ↓

Do you dislike sweeteners or flavored powders?

 Yes Choose Pure Encapsulations or NOW Foods
No Thorne is fine

Do you avoid tablet additives (coatings, silicon dioxide, stearic acid)?

 Yes Choose Pure Encapsulations or Thorne
No NOW Foods is a great match

Final words

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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