This product contains magnesium in the form of magnesium bisglycinate. Here, each magnesium particle is powerfully bound (chelated) to two (bis) molecules of the amino acid glycine. The general term for such a compound is amino acid chelate or amino acid chelated mineral. The word "chelate" comes from the Greek and means "claw.

Magnesium is one of the minerals most commonly used in complementary practice. One reason is that magnesium plays an important role in more than 300 physiological processes in the body. And despite the fact that many (unprocessed) foods contain magnesium, changes in food production and eating habits have resulted in many people getting less magnesium with the diet. Before industrialization, magnesium intake was an estimated 475 to 500 mg per day; today, intake is much lower at 345 mg (average intake per day for adults, according to the latest food consumption survey in the Netherlands). Also, factors such as stress, high sugar intake and certain medications can lower magnesium status. Therefore, this mineral should be considered a basic supplement. And usually there is not much in a multivitamin and mineral preparation because magnesium takes up a lot of space in a tablet or capsule. Or inferior compound forms are used. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the quality differences that exist between magnesium products and to know how to make a good choice.

Absorption of common mineral compounds
There are several magnesium compounds used in supplements. Some of these, such as the inorganic mineral compounds (see Figure 1) magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate, are not well absorbed and have low bioavailability. When minerals (in any compound form except in amino acid chelated form) enter the acidic environment of the stomach, the digestive process begins by detaching the mineral component from its chemical structure. As the mineral element proceeds through the digestive process, it is naturally electrically charged. Because of this charge, it is attracted to other charged particles such as those found in vegetables, fiber and fats. These food particles will isolate the mineral ions, preventing them from being as well absorbed and utilized by the body (see Figure 2). The limited amount of free mineral ions now available continues through the digestive tract, competing with other minerals (such as calcium) to be absorbed through the intestinal wall and into the cells.

Figure 1: Example of an inorganically bound mineral (or mineral salt). 'M' stands for mineral and 'R' stands for residual group, referring to the attached molecule(s).

Figure 2: Food particles isolate mineral ions, preventing their absorption and use by the body.

Benefits of amino acid-chelated minerals
With magnesium in the form of magnesium bisglycinate, each magnesium particle is powerfully bound (chelated) to two (bis) molecules of the amino acid glycine. This creates a kind of ring structure, with the mineral at its heart (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Specific molecular structure of amino acid chelated minerals.

The chelating structure in an amino acid chelate such as magnesium bisglycinate is strong enough not to be split under the influence of gastric juice or digestive enzymes (as usually happens with other mineral compounds), but also weak enough so that the mineral element can be liberated once it is absorbed by the cells in the intestine. The amino acids fold around the mineral element, protecting it during the digestive process and not releasing it. Also, the electrical charge of the chelate is neutral, so it does not stick to pieces of food in the stomach and intestines. Thus, the amino acid chelate reaches the small intestine in its entirety, where it is absorbed as a dipeptide (compound containing two amino acids). This is very advantageous because the body can absorb amino acids (and especially dipeptides) extremely easily. Especially when they consist of the amino acid with the smallest size, glycine. This makes amino acid chelated minerals many times more absorbable than other mineral forms. In the epithelial tissue of the jejunum (middle part of the small intestine), the amino acid-chelated mineral is brought to within the mucous cells by active transport without competing with other minerals. Only in the mucous cells do metabolic processes cause the glycine and mineral to be split and become available to the various organs and systems in the body.

Figure 4: The amino acid chelate reaches the small intestine in its entirety and is split only in the mucus cells and then becomes available to the various organs and systems in the body.

Amino acid chelates from Albion Minerals
Vitals uses only real amino acid chelates from Albion Minerals, the expert in amino acid chelates, recognizable by the trademark TRAACS®, which stands for The Real Amino Acid Chelate System. This trademark was created to properly differentiate Albion from other, potentially inferior, unstable amino acid chelates. Albion has had more than 100 patents registered worldwide that guarantee the process, science and structure of their amino acid chelated minerals. In addition, research is conducted with their minerals and quality testing takes place with each batch produced. This is because it is essential to verify that chelating has actually occurred and that the bonds are strong enough.

Studies with magnesium bisglycinate
Several studies have been done that confirm the effectiveness of magnesium bisglycinate. Some of these compared the absorbability of magnesium bisglycinate to various magnesium compounds, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate and magnesium oxide. Magnesium bisglycinate was absorbed significantly faster and better than the other forms of magnesium. Magnesium oxide performed the least well by far.

Figure 5: Comparison of absorption of different magnesium compounds.

Taurine
This product also contains 200 mg of taurine. This is an amino acid-like substance found naturally in meat, fish and shellfish in particular. It has a direct synergistic effect with magnesium by promoting the absorption of this mineral into the cells (magnesium is particularly active intracellularly).

Action of magnesium in the body
The body contains about 21 to 28 grams of magnesium. Less than 1% circulates in the blood, about 20% is found in the muscles, 20% in other soft tissues and the liver, and about 60% is built into the bones and teeth. Magnesium is therefore good for muscles and important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Furthermore, it is involved in more than 300 enzymatic processes. For example, magnesium is an important co-factor for enzymes involved in protein synthesis (the process by which proteins are made from DNA). And it helps maintain electrolyte balance by being a co-factor for many enzymes involved in maintaining an electrical potential across the cell membrane. (Cells - especially nerve and muscle cells - use the electrical charge of electrolytes to conduct electrical impulses to and from other cells, such as nerve impulses or muscle contractions.) In this way, magnesium is involved in nerve conduction and muscle contraction, and thus is important for muscle function, including heart muscle. In addition, inadequate magnesium intake can lead to fatigue. Magnesium in this case can help you get fit again. It helps release energy from fats, carbohydrates and proteins, thus supporting energy levels. It is also important for brain and nerve functions that determine aspects such as concentration, memory as well as mood. And it contributes to normal cell division and cell and tissue production.

Permitted health claims:

• magnesium can help with fatigue
• magnesium supports energy levels
• magnesium is important for normal muscle function and plays a role in maintaining smooth and strong muscles
• magnesium plays a role in the production of cells and tissues
• magnesium helps build proteins in the body
• magnesium is involved in bone formation and is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth
• magnesium is good for mood, concentration and memory
• magnesium has a positive influence on the functioning of the nervous system
• magnesium contributes to a good electrolyte balance