Difference Between Magnesium Threonate and Magnesium Glycinate

Main Difference – Magnesium Threonate vs Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium threonate and magnesium glycinate are two magnesium salts. Both compounds are used as nutritional supplements. Both are magnesium supplements, and magnesium glycinate provides the non-essential amino acid, glycine. Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body. Therefore, these compounds can be used to normalize the magnesium levels in the body when it is imbalanced. The main difference between magnesium threonate and magnesium glycinate is that magnesium threonate is a magnesium salt of threonic acid sugar whereas magnesium glycinate is a magnesium salt of glycine amino acid.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Magnesium Threonate
     – Definition, Chemical Properties, Function in Human Body
2. What is Magnesium Glycinate
     – Definition, Chemical Properties
3. What are the Similarities Between Magnesium Threonate and Magnesium Glycinate
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Magnesium Threonate and Magnesium Glycinate
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Amino Acid, Glycine, Magnesium, Magnesium Glycinate, Magnesium Threonate

What is Magnesium Threonate

Magnesium threonate is the magnesium salt of the threonic acid. This name is a common term used to name other magnesium salts of threonic acid. The most common among them is magnesium L-threonate which is the magnesium salt of the L-isomer of the threonic acid. L-threonate is a metabolite of ascorbic acid.

Figure 1: Chemical Structure of Magnesium Threonate

The IUPAC name of magnesium threonate is magnesium 2,3,4-trihydroxybutanoate. The molar mass of this compound is 294.495 g/mol. The chemical formula of magnesium threonate is C8H14MgO10. Magnesium L-threonate is used as a dietary supplement in order to normalize the magnesium level of the human body. Magnesium is required for many biochemical functions in the body including bone and muscle function, protein formation, fatty acid formation, blood clotting, enzyme catalysis, etc.

What is Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium glycinate is a magnesium salt of glycine. Glycine is a non-essential amino acid. The chemical formula of magnesium glycinate is C4H8MgN2O4. The molar mass is about 172.42 g/mol. In its chemical structure, a magnesium glycinate molecule is composed of one magnesium cation with two glycinate anions.

Figure 2: Glycinate Anion

Magnesium glycinate is easily absorbed by the body because it consists amino acids which can easily be carried to cells. It is also easily absorbed by the body. Hence, it is less likely to cause a laxative effect when consumed. Magnesium glycinate is sold as a dietary supplement. It contains 14.1% of magnesium by mass.

Similarities Between Magnesium Threonate and Magnesium Glycinate

• Both are magnesium salts.
• Both are dietary supplements.
• Both contain magnesium in the form of a cation.
• Both compounds contain cation: anion ratio as 1:2.

Difference Between Magnesium Threonate and Magnesium Glycinate

Definition

Magnesium Threonate: Magnesium threonate is the magnesium salt of the threonic acid.

Magnesium Glycinate: Magnesium glycinate is a magnesium salt of glycine.

Parent Compound

Magnesium Threonate: The parent compound of magnesium threonate is a threonic acid which is a sugar.

Magnesium Glycinate: The parent compound of magnesium glycinate is glycine which is a non-essential amino acid.

Presence of Nitrogen

Magnesium Threonate: Magnesium threonate has no nitrogen atoms in its chemical structure.

Magnesium Glycinate: Magnesium glycinate is a nitrogen-containing compound.

Chemical Formula

Magnesium Threonate: The chemical formula of Magnesium threonate is C8H14MgO10.

Magnesium Glycinate: The chemical formula of Magnesium glycinate is C4H8MgN2O4.

Molar Mass

Magnesium Threonate: The molar mass of Magnesium threonate is 294.495 g/mol.

Magnesium Glycinate: The molar mass of Magnesium glycinate is 172.42 g/mol.

Conclusion

Magnesium threonate and magnesium glycinate are magnesium supplements. But they are different from each other in their chemical structures and other properties. The main difference between magnesium threonate and magnesium glycinate is that magnesium threonate is a magnesium salt of threonic acid sugar whereas magnesium glycinate is a magnesium salt of glycine amino acid.

Reference:

1. “Magnesium 2,3,4-Trihydroxybutanoate.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.
2. “Magnesium glycinate.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Jan. 2018, Available here.
3. King, M.S. Joe. “Use of L-Glycine by the Human Body.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 14 Aug. 2017, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Magnesium threonate” By Edgar181 (talk) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Glycinate” By Fvasconcellos (talk · contribs), original PNG by Petergans – Vector version of File:Glycinate.png (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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