The Science Behind Solace Bay
4.9
X+ Reviews
Not all magnesium
is created equal.
Chelamax® proves it.
Chelamax® is a fully chelated magnesium bisglycinate, verified through an industry-leading 3-step process that proves the chelation bond is real. In independent testing, it achieved 64% absorption.
Most magnesium supplements have never been tested this way.
4.9
X+ Reviews
30-Day Guarantee
Third-Party Tested
275mg per serving
Chelamax® Chelated Magnesium
30-Day Guarantee
Third-Party Tested
275mg per serving
Chelamax® Chelated Magnesium
30-Day Guarantee
Third-Party Tested
275mg per serving
Chelamax® Chelated Magnesium
30-Day Guarantee
Third-Party Tested
275mg per serving
Chelamax® Chelated Magnesium
The absorption problem
Most magnesium
never reaches your cells.
The absorption problem
Most magnesium
never reaches your cells.
Nearly 50% of Americans don't get enough magnesium. So millions buy supplements. But here's what most people don't know: the form of magnesium determines whether your body can actually use it.
Magnesium oxide, the most commonly sold form, has an absorption rate of approximately 4-8%. That means for every 500mg on the label, your body might absorb 20-40mg. The rest passes through your digestive system unused.
Magnesium citrate absorbs better (around 47% in vitro), but it's notorious for causing GI distress. It draws water into the intestines, which is why it's also used as a laxative prep.
Even "chelated" magnesium glycinate varies wildly. Many products marketed as chelated have never been verified. They may contain a blend of chelated and non-chelated magnesium, or the chelation bond may be incomplete. Without verification, "chelated" is just a label claim.
This is the problem Chelamax® was designed to solve.
The science of absorption
Chelation: the difference between magnesium that works and magnesium that doesn't.
The science of absorption
Chelation: the difference between magnesium that works and magnesium that doesn't.
The word "chelate" comes from the Greek word for "claw." In chemistry, chelation is the process of bonding a mineral ion to an organic molecule at multiple points, creating a stable ring structure.
When magnesium is chelated with glycine (an amino acid), the resulting compound, magnesium bisglycinate, has a critical advantage: it can bypass the typical mineral absorption pathways in your gut and instead use the same transport channels your body uses to absorb protein.
This matters because mineral absorption in the gut is competitive and limited. Calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium all compete for the same entry points. But amino acid transport channels are separate and have much higher capacity.
By wrapping magnesium in glycine, chelation gives it a dedicated lane.
THE RESULT: significantly more magnesium reaches your bloodstream and your cells. Without the GI side effects of non-chelated forms.
Our proprietary mineral technology
Chelamax®: Fully chelated. Fully verified. Fully absorbed.
Chelamax® is a line of fully chelated minerals made by Innophos, a leading international producer of nutritional specialty ingredients based in Cranbury, New Jersey. Unlike generic chelated magnesium, every batch of Chelamax® is verified through a proprietary 3-step process that proves the chelation bond is complete.
This distinction matters. Many minerals sold as "chelated" are not fully chelated, and some are not chelated at all. Without testing, there is no way to confirm whether the bond between the mineral and the amino acid is real, partial, or nonexistent. Innophos developed the 3-step verification process specifically to address this industry-wide integrity problem.
Step 1
X-Ray Diffraction
(XRD)
What it does
Confirms the crystal structure of the chelate. A fully chelated mineral has a unique crystalline fingerprint that is different from a simple physical blend of mineral + amino acid.
Why it matters
Proves the compound is a true chelate,
not just magnesium and glycine mixed together in a capsule.
Step 2
Thermogravimetric
Analysis (TGA)
What it does
Measures how the compound decomposes under controlled heat. A fully chelated mineral breaks down in a specific pattern that differs from unchelated or partially chelated forms.
Why it matters
Proves the compound is a true chelate,
not just magnesium and glycine
mixed together in a capsule.
Step 3
Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
What it does
Identifies the specific molecular bonds present in the compound. It can detect the bond between magnesium and glycine at the atomic level.
Why it matters
Provides molecular-level proof
that the mineral is fully chelated. This is the definitive confirmation step.
Only by using all three methods together can a product's true chelation status be confirmed.
This is why Innophos calls it the most comprehensive and accurate verification process in the minerals industry.
The data
64% absorption. Verified.
In a 2024 in vitro study using the SHIME® model (Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem),
Chelamax® Magnesium Bisglycinate achieved 64% absorption.
For comparison: magnesium oxide achieved just 8%. Magnesium citrate reached 47%. And the leading chelated competitor (Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate) was outperformed by Chelamax® by 35% at an equivalent dose.
The SHIME® model simulates the full human gastrointestinal tract, from stomach through colon, providing a more realistic pictureof how minerals behave during digestion than standard solubility tests.
Form
Chelamax® Bisglycinate
Magnesium Citrate
Leading Chelated Competitor
Magnesium Oxide
Absorption
64%
47%
~47%
8%
GI Tolerance
Excellent
Moderate (GI issues common)
Good
Poor (laxative )
Chelation Verified
Yes (3-step)
Yes (3-step)
Not verified
Not chelated
Source: Innophos in vitro SHIME® study, 2024.
64%
absorption. Verified by
in vitro SHIME® study.
8x
More absorbed than oxide
Chelamax vs. magnesium oxide
35%
More absorbed than
the leading competitor
Chelamax vs. Albion®
at equivalent dose
The absorption problem
Most magnesium
never reaches your cells.
The carrier matters too
Glycine isn't just a carrier. It's a calming compound.
In magnesium bisglycinate, each magnesium ion is bonded to two molecules of glycine. Most people think of glycine as just the "vehicle" that gets magnesium into your cells. But glycine is also an inhibitory neurotransmitter with its own body of clinical research.
Glycine acts on NMDA receptors in the brain and has been shown in clinical studies to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, partly by helping to lower core body temperature, a biological signal that tells your body it's time to rest.
Glycine also supports GABA activity. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is your brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It reduces neuronal excitability, calms the nervous system, and helps transition from wakefulness to sleep. Magnesium itself also supports GABA receptor activity.
So in Chelamax® magnesium bisglycinate, you get a synergistic combination: magnesium supporting GABA function and muscle relaxation, while glycine promotes relaxation and sleep through its own independent pathways. The carrier and the mineral work together.
The industry problem
Many products labeled "chelated" aren't.
Chelation is a chemical process, not a marketing term. A mineral is either fully chelated or it isn't. But the supplement industry has no universal standard for verifying chelation. Any manufacturer can put "chelated" on a label without testing whether the bond is complete.
The result: many magnesium glycinate products on the market contain a blend of chelated and non-chelated magnesium. Some contain magnesium that is not bonded to glycine at all, despite label claims. Without rigorous testing, there is simply no way to know.
Innophos developed the 3-step verification process (XRD, TGA, FT-IR) specifically because this problem was so widespread. They found that numerous products, even those with the word "chelate" in the ingredient name, were not fully chelated.
Chelamax® minerals are verified at the molecular level. Every batch. Not some batches. Not a sample from the initial production run. Every batch that ships is confirmed through the 3-step process.
When Solace Bay says "chelated," it's not a label claim. It's a verified fact.
Questions about the science.
What does "chelated" actually mean?
Chelation is a chemical process where a mineral ion is bonded to an organic molecule (like an amino acid) at multiple points, forming a stable ring structure. This bond allows the mineral to use amino acid absorption pathways in your gut, resulting in significantly better bioavailability than non-chelated forms.
How do you know Chelamax® is fully chelated?
Every batch is verified through Innophos' proprietary 3-step process: X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm crystal structure, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm bond stability, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to confirm molecular bonds. Only by using all three methods together can full chelation be confirmed.
Where does the 64% absorption figure come from?
A 2024 in vitro study using the SHIME® model (Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem), conducted by Innophos. The SHIME model simulates the full human gastrointestinal tract, providing a more comprehensive picture of mineral absorption than standard dissolution tests.
What is the SHIME® model?
SHIME stands for Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem. It's a validated in vitro system that replicates the conditions of the human digestive tract, from stomach acidity through intestinal absorption to the colon. It's widely used in nutritional science to study how ingredients behave during digestion.
Why glycine specifically?
Why not citrate or another amino acid?
Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with its own clinically studied calming and sleep-promoting properties. When magnesium is chelated with glycine, the carrier and the mineral both contribute to the product's calming benefits. Glycine also promotes excellent GI tolerance, meaning no laxative side effects.
What is the difference between Chelamax®
and generic magnesium glycinate?
Generic magnesium glycinate has no standardized verification of chelation. The quality, completeness of chelation, and absorption characteristics vary significantly between manufacturers. Chelamax® is verified through a 3-step molecular testing process and has demonstrated 35% higher absorption than the leading chelated competitor in independent testing.
Is this safe to take daily long-term?
Yes. Magnesium glycinate is one of the most well-tolerated forms of supplemental magnesium. The dose in Solace Bay (275mg, 65% DV) is within the range recommended by most health authorities for daily supplementation. As always, consult your healthcare provider if you take prescription medications.
Who makes Chelamax®?
Chelamax® is made by Innophos, a leading international producer of high-performance minerals for the dietary supplement industry, based in Cranbury, New Jersey. Innophos developed the 3-step chelation verification process and publishes peer-reviewed whitepapers on their research.
