Thorne Research Magnesium Bisglycinate Review

Magnesium modestly lowers blood pressure in studies, but this product gives 200 mg a day, below the roughly 365 mg a day that worked. A pooled analysis of 38 trials with 2709 people taking about 365 mg daily for about 12 weeks found the top number fell by about 2.8 points and the bottom number by about 2.1 points compared with placebo. Drops were larger in people on meds or low in magnesium, with no clear change in people with normal blood pressure ^[1]. An earlier pooled analysis of 34 trials with 2028 adults taking about 368 mg daily for 3 months found drops of about 2.0 and 1.8 points ^[2]. A review of 49 trials found benefit in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, but not in people with controlled or normal pressure ^[3]. Small 12 week trials in adults with metabolic syndrome taking 400 mg daily also lowered blood pressure ^[4][5]. However, a 24 week trial of 164 overweight adults taking 450 mg daily found no change in blood pressure or artery stiffness ^[6]. Animal and cell studies are never counted.

Magnesium is the main ingredient here, and the panel leans favorable: four of the ten say they use it, and most others recommend it or stay neutral. The top reason is sleep, with several naming deeper sleep, though one panelist says the evidence for sleep is not strong or consistent. Others take it for blood pressure, bone health, muscle function, stress, and electrolyte balance, and one notes that low levels often go unseen on a standard blood test. On forms, three of them name glycinate or the similar bisglycinate, while several others prefer threonate, and four of those take 400 mg of threonate before bed; other doses mentioned range from 300 mg to a gram a day. One panelist warns that labels can mislead by listing the whole compound weight instead of the actual magnesium amount, so check for the elemental dose.

The tier rests on 2186 counted reviews, but the store page shows only 849 ratings for this powder and mixes in reviews of other forms, so the count does not appear to be for this product alone. Its reviews are set aside, so it is graded on its studies alone. Its studied ingredients are not at the doses that worked in studies, and reviews are not strong enough on their own.

Combine with: Magnesium bisglycinate supports healthy blood pressure by promoting vascular smooth muscle relaxation, regulating calcium and potassium balance, and supporting endothelial function. It pairs well with potassium (from food or a modest supplement, with medical guidance, especially for people on meds, ARBs, or potassium-sparing meds) to support sodium balance. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) add support for vascular health and triglycerides, and CoQ10 supports endothelial and mitochondrial function in the heart. Taurine and vitamin K2 with vitamin D3 can complement magnesium for vascular tone and calcium handling. Beet root or nitrate-rich extracts can boost nitric oxide for blood flow. Take with food if it causes stomach upset, and consult a healthcare provider if you take meds, since additive lowering effects are possible, or if you have kidney disease.