Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate and NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate are both clean bisglycinate options at the same 200 mg elemental dose, but at different price and certification tiers. In our six-criteria assessment, Thorne scored 8.8/10 and NOW Foods scored 8.5/10.
This comparison uses the same six-criteria methodology we apply to every product. Formulas change — always check the current label before buying.
What’s the difference between Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate and NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate?
Both use the gentle bisglycinate form at 200 mg elemental. Thorne is a flexible-dose powder with NSF Certified for Sport verification. NOW Foods uses Albion-branded bisglycinate in tablets (200 mg across two tablets), made in an NPA A-rated GMP facility with in-house ISO/IEC-accredited labs — at a lower price.
Ingredient breakdown: Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate vs NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate
Form and dose. Identical form and elemental dose; Thorne is powder (adjustable), NOW is tablets. Certification. Thorne carries sport-grade NSF Certified for Sport; NOW relies on Albion sourcing plus GMP and in-house ISO labs. Value. NOW is the cheaper everyday option; Thorne charges for sport certification and powder flexibility.
Who should choose Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate vs NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate?
Choose Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate if you want sport-grade certification and a flexible-dose powder, and don’t mind paying more.
Choose NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate if you want Albion-sourced bisglycinate with strong testing at a value price in tablet form.
Who should be careful: people with kidney disease should not supplement magnesium without medical guidance, and magnesium can affect the timing of some medications. This comparison is educational — not medical advice.
Bottom line: choosing between Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate and NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate
Thorne wins at 8.8/10 on sport-grade certification and dosing flexibility, while NOW Foods at 8.5/10 is the better value at the same elemental dose. Read the full Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate review and NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate review, and see the full Best Magnesium Glycinate Supplements lineup.
A note on elemental magnesium
Both state 200 mg elemental magnesium — Thorne per scoop, NOW across two tablets. Compare on elemental content and per-serving count, not compound weight, and verify the supplement-facts panel of the product you buy.
Is Thorne or NOW Foods magnesium better?
Both are clean bisglycinate at 200 mg elemental. Thorne (8.8/10) is a sport-certified powder; NOW Foods (8.5/10) is an Albion-sourced value tablet with strong in-house testing. Choose Thorne for certification and flexible dosing, NOW for value.
Do they have the same dose?
Yes — both deliver 200 mg of elemental magnesium in the bisglycinate form, Thorne per scoop and NOW across two tablets.
Which has stronger certification?
Thorne carries NSF Certified for Sport, a sport-grade third-party mark. NOW relies on Albion sourcing, NPA A-rated GMP, and in-house ISO/IEC labs. For tested athletes, Thorne is the safer choice.
Powder or tablet?
Thorne is a powder, letting you adjust the dose; NOW is tablets, which are more convenient. Both deliver the same elemental dose in the well-absorbed bisglycinate form.
Sources
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
- Boyle, N.B. et al. (2017). The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress. Nutrients.