NOW Foods Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder 8 oz.

What it is

NOW Foods Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder is an unflavored dietary supplement powder that supplies 300 mg of elemental magnesium in one level teaspoon, sold in an 8 oz. (227 g) bottle holding about 76 servings. The magnesium comes from magnesium bisglycinate made with Albion™ mineral material, and the panel lists exactly one other ingredient: citric acid. It is a powder rather than a capsule or tablet, so each serving is stirred into a drink before it is taken.

NOW files this bottle under its own Minerals heading, printed on the band above the Supplement Facts box, and you will find it alongside the rest of our Minerals range. The front panel carries a Non-GMO Project Verified seal, a kosher symbol and the line "Vegetarian/Vegan"; the back panel adds a GMP Quality Assured seal and the sentence "Family owned since 1968."

What's inside

The full ingredient list is two lines long. Magnesium bisglycinate is the active material, and citric acid is the only other ingredient on the panel — no fillers, flow agents, sweeteners, colors or flavors are listed.

• Magnesium (elemental), from magnesium bisglycinate (Albion™) — 300 mg per teaspoon, 71% Daily Value. Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral that people also get from everyday foods such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, black beans, cashews and whole grains. For general background on the mineral, recommended intakes and food sources, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet on magnesium is the standard consumer reference.
• What "bisglycinate" means. It describes the chemistry of the raw material rather than a separate ingredient: the magnesium is bound to two molecules of glycine, one of the simplest amino acids and a building block found in protein foods. Mineral forms built this way are called chelates, and they are one of several ways magnesium is supplied across the supplement category — oxide, citrate, malate and glycinate are all common on shelf.
• Albion™. This is the trade name of the mineral raw material used in the formula, and the gold medallion beside the barcode is its mark. The label states that Albion™ and the Albion Gold Medallion design are trademarks of Balchem Corporation or its subsidiaries.
• Citric acid. A common food acid, and the single other ingredient on this panel. NOW prints "Natural color variation may occur in this product" on the same face of the bottle, so the exact shade of the powder is not fixed from batch to batch.

If you want to compare this panel against other labels in the category, the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database catalogs the printed panels of thousands of US products.

Supplement Facts

How to use it

The label's suggested usage is to mix 1 level teaspoon of powder into at least 6 oz. of juice or water, and to take it 1 to 2 times daily with food. NOW sets one instruction in bold type on the panel: this product must be diluted into a liquid before ingestion, so it is not meant to be taken dry off the spoon.

A level teaspoon is about 3 g of powder, and that is the measure the Supplement Facts panel is built around — a heaped spoon is not the same serving. Store the bottle in a cool, dry place after opening. A freshness packet is enclosed inside the bottle, and the label instructs that it is not to be eaten.

Who it's for

This is a straightforward single-mineral powder for adults 18 and over who would rather stir a supplement into a glass of juice or water than swallow a capsule. The powder format is the practical option if you find tablets awkward, and it lets you follow the label's once- or twice-daily pattern without counting pills. If you would rather have a capsule or tablet, the wider Supplements department and our general Health & Wellness section carry other formats.

Two label details matter if you shop by diet: the front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan" and carries the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, and the allergen statement says the product is not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. There is no herbal blend here, no stimulant and nothing else in the formula, which is the appeal for people who like each item in a routine to do one job.

Good to know

The caution printed on the bottle reads in full: for adults only; consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition; keep out of reach of children. That is the whole of the warning NOW prints on this package.

• The allergen line adds that the product is produced in a GMP facility that also processes other ingredients containing the listed allergens.
• The back panel carries a GMP Quality Assured seal, and the front carries the Non-GMO Project Verified mark and a kosher symbol.
• The bottle itself is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin, which NOW states beside the barcode.
• General guidance on choosing and using supplements is available from the NIH in Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know, and from the FDA's consumer page on dietary supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much magnesium is in one serving?

One level teaspoon supplies 300 mg of elemental magnesium, which the Supplement Facts panel lists as 71% of the Daily Value. The magnesium is supplied as magnesium bisglycinate made with Albion™ material, and the panel shows a single active line rather than a blend.

Does the powder have to be mixed into a drink?

Yes — the label states in bold that this product must be diluted into a liquid before ingestion. The printed instruction is to mix 1 level teaspoon into at least 6 oz. of juice or water and take it 1 to 2 times daily with food.

How many servings does the 8 oz. bottle hold?

About 76, based on the 1 level teaspoon (approx. 3 g) serving size printed on the panel. The net weight is 8 oz. (227 g), and the powder is unflavored.

Is it vegan, and does it contain gluten or soy?

The front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan," and the allergen statement says the product is not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. The same statement adds that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing those allergens, so anyone with a severe allergy should read the bottle itself before use.

How is the order packaged for delivery?

Orders ship in plain outer packaging with no product imagery and nothing on the outside describing the contents. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.